2014 Mobile World Congress to generate €356 million and 7,220 jobs

Barcelona (ACN).- Barcelona’s next Mobile World Congress, which will take place from the 24^th to the 27^th of February, should be the “best edition ever”, according to the CEO of GSMA and Director of the event, John Hoffman. Indeed, 75,000 visitors are expected to attend the world’s most important fair in the mobile industry, meaning 3,000 more than in February 2013. Besides, so far, five weeks ahead of the opening, the number of online registrations is already 15% higher than last year. During the 9^th edition of the MWC, 1,800 exhibitors from 200 different countries will introduce new products or give conferences on applications designed for many innovative uses. One of the highlights will be the participation of Facebook-inventor Mark Zuckerberg, who will give a conference on the 24^th of February. Furthermore, for the first time, exhibitors specialised in mobile phone applications will dispose of a separate venue of their very own. The economic impact of the MWC on Barcelona will be an additional income of €356 million and the creation of 7,220 jobs.

John Hoffman explained that for this year’s edition, they had focused on improving logistics issues such as transportation, restaurant services for visitors, and the layout of the exhibition space. Thanks to a partnership between the City Council and the Fira de Barcelona, the number of public transportation means between Plaça Espanya and the Gran Vía facilities in L’Hospitalet (Greater Barcelona) will be increased, as well as the number of taxis. John Hoffman said he was hoping the Metro Line number 9, currently under construction, would soon be finished in order to facilitate the access to the Mobile World Congress in future years.  

75,000 visitors expected, 57 % of which are executives of leading companies

The latest estimated attendance for this year’s edition amounts to approximately 75,000 visitors, meaning 3,000 more than in 2013. Hoffman insisted he was very optimistic, since so far, five weeks ahead of the opening, the number of online registrations was already 15% higher than at the same time last year.

Hoffman emphasised that 57 % of the visitors expected will be high-profile professionals in the mobile sector, who have management responsibilities in leading companies. He added that in 2013, over 400 CEOs had already attended the event.

Exhibitors from over 200 countries

1,800 exhibitors from 200 different countries will attend the event in 2014, meaning over twice as many as during the very first edition of the MWC in Barcelona, dating back to 2006. The United States and China are the two most represented countries.

Besides, Hoffman said that this year, the event would be attended by 159 Spanish companies, 80 of which are Catalan. The Director of the MWC said it was important to recall that in the first edition, there had not been any exhibitors from Catalonia.

The 2014 edition to generate €356 million and 7,220 jobs in Barcelona

Hoffman explained that the 2014 MWC would result in an additional income of €356 million for Barcelona, a boost for both the Catalan and the Spanish economy. In addition, 7,220 jobs should be created during the event, according to an independent study commissioned by the organisation and made ​​public during a press conference on Thursday.

Since the first edition of the MWC in Barcelona, in 2006, ​​the event has generated €2 billion million for the city and created 50,000 jobs.By hosting the fair each year, Barcelona, named Mobile World Capital from 2011 until at least 2018, has been looking to become an international leader in the mobile phone industry.

A special venue for mobile phone applications in Plaça Espanya

This year, the MWC will dispose of 98,000 square meters, almost double the 50,000 square meters it had during the 2006 edition. Hoffman also pointed out that for the first time in the last two years, the MWC will occupy the Fira de Barcelona facilities in Plaça Espanya.

Consequently, all the exhibitors specialised in mobile phone applications will have a separate venue of their very own. Hoffman hopes that this experience will consolidate the MWC, but he acknowledged it was “risky” to divide the fair’s exhibition space. However, the Director of the MWC is convinced that in future years, this segment of the sector will grow sufficiently to be incorporated in the main exhibition space.

First participation of Facebook inventor Mark Zuckerberg

Hoffman also stressed the importance of the many conferences organised by the MWC and indicated there will be 44 sessions involving 240 speakers. Hoffman stated that all speakers were considered to be of “premium level” internationally. However, he specifically mentioned two of them. Firstly, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and president of Facebook, who will attend the event for the first time and give a conference on the 24^th of February. And secondly, the CEO of IBM, Virginia Rometty, who will give a conference on the 26^th of February.