A technique joins an electronic device to an electronic conference hosted by a conference server. The technique involves sensing, by the electronic device, sound input. The technique further involves receiving, by the electronic device, sound from a sound initiating device (e.g., a primary device of a user). The technique further involves automatically establishing, based on the sound received from the sound initiating device, a communications channel from the electronic device (e.g., a helper device of the user) to the electronic conference hosted by the conference server to enable a user of the electronic device to participate in the electronic conference through the communications channel by using the electronic device. Once the electronic device has joined the electronic conference, a user can operate the electronic device in a variety of ways to enhance the overall experience, e.g., as a control panel to replace a control panel of the sound initiating device.