Barcelona will host the Mobile World Congress for another eight
years after signing a deal with organisers GSMA, the Global Systems for Mobile Communications
Association.
Representatives from the association and the city extended
their partnership, which has added €5.4bn to Barcelona’s economy since 2006 and
created 141,000 part-time jobs, until 2030.
Over the years, the event has got bigger and before the pandemic
was welcoming around 110,000 delegates. This year’s event in March, the first
in-person since 2019, attracted 61,000 delegates and added €267m to city
coffers.
GSMA’s director general, Mats Granryd, said Barcelona
remained the association’s ‘flagship’ event, despite new editions in Shanghai,
Africa, and, later this year, Las Vegas.
“At MWC Barcelona, we host debates which help define
society’s relationship with technology. Programmes like 4YFN and Industry City
showcase innovative products and applications, Diversity 4 Tech demonstrates
the advantages in our differences and the Ministerial Programme is the largest
gathering of digital policymakers,” he said. “We are so proud that MWC takes
place in the heart of Barcelona. Alongside our partners Fira de Barcelona and
the Host City Parties, we cannot wait to welcome the mobile ecosystem to the
next edition in February 2023.”
The benefits of MWC Barcelona extend beyond the value it
brings to the mobile and technology sectors during the event itself. It
is also helps creates jobs and economic opportunities locally. MWC provides a
range of programmes and activities such as the Mobile World Capital and
mSchools throughout the year, to provide, what it calls, a ‘legacy throughout
the year’.
Pau Relat, chairman of the Governing Board of Fira de
Barcelona, added: “Today we celebrate the extension of a successful history,
the fruit of a unique ecosystem in which the city and the excellence of the
venues and Fira's team play an essential role. It’s a model based on the
commitment and involvement of the administrations and the private sector, with
the goal of creating a social and economic legacy. Together, we have
experienced great and good times as well as overcome the most challenging
times, further strengthening our relationship and friendship.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
