GSMA MWC26 Barcelona Celebrates 20 Years with Successful Conclusion

Key Takeaways

MWC26 in Barcelona attracted nearly 105,000 attendees, marking 20 years of the event.
Highlights included 2,900 exhibitors, over 1,700 speakers, and notable increases in female representation.
Upcoming GSMA events include MWC Kigali, MWC Shanghai, and M360 regional gatherings throughout 2023.

MWC26 Overview

MWC26, one of the largest global connectivity events, celebrated its 20th anniversary in Barcelona, drawing nearly 105,000 attendees from 207 countries. The Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via hosted a diverse array of exhibitors, thought leaders, startups, and policymakers, despite global travel challenges.

John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA, expressed pride in the partnership with Barcelona, highlighting the event’s impact on the local community. “Twenty years in Barcelona and MWC continues to surprise and surpass expectations,” he stated, acknowledging the contributions of local partners and attendees.

Key statistics from this year’s MWC included:
– 2,900 exhibitors and sponsors,
– Over 1,700 speakers, with 40% holding C-level positions and 35% being female,
– The GSMA Ministerial Programme, which convened 188 delegations and 54 ministers,
– A significant percentage of attendees (58%) came from industries adjacent to the mobile ecosystem.

Additionally, nearly 2,600 journalists and industry analysts participated, with 1.3 million views of keynotes and live sessions across various platforms.

The 4YFN segment, co-located with MWC26, welcomed over 1,000 exhibitors, 300 speakers, and engaged hundreds of investors, representing a collective funding of $70 billion. Separately, the Talent Arena organized by Mobile World Capital Barcelona attracted more than 25,000 attendees.

Vivek Badrinath, the new GSMA Director General, noted the event’s energy and inspiration, emphasizing the industry’s dedication to addressing complex challenges such as AI, 5G potential, and cybersecurity threats.

The conclusion of MWC26 marks the beginning of the GSMA’s global event schedule, including:
– MWC Kigali on June 16-18,
– MWC Shanghai on June 24-26,
– MWC Doha in Qatar on November 8-11.

Also, two significant M360 regional events will occur soon. M360 LATAM is set for Mexico City on May 13-14, while M360 Eurasia will debut in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on May 20-21. M360 ASEAN returns to Kuala Lumpur on September 9-10.

All keynote sessions from MWC26 will be available on-demand on various platforms, alongside updates and media resources in the Press Zone.

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