Barcelona hosts the Mobile World Congress with some 80,000 visitors expected to attend

Barcelona (CNA).- Mobile World Congress, the world’s biggest congress in the mobile phone industry, organized by GSM Association (GSMA), started today and will run until Thursday in Barcelona. The Catalan capital is hosting this event for the 9th consecutive year. More than 1,800 companies from all over the world participate in this event, which is expected to welcome more than 77,000 international visitors. Appearing as a keynote speaker, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook and fresh from his 19 billion dollar acquisition of Whatsapp, will appear on Monday, speaking outside of the US for the first time. Virginia Rometty, the CEO of IBM who was recently pronounced the most powerful woman in business according to Fortune Magazine (2013), will deliver her speech on Wednesday. Companies such as Samsung, Sony, Nokia, Huawei and HTC will launch their new devices during the exhibition period.

As always, Mobile World Congress includes the conference programme with the world’s leading CEOs of the industry; an expanded exhibition presenting the latest services, products and technological advances; special focused programmes such as App Planet, Partner Events, the Forum Series, Professional Training and Power Hour sessions and, the Ministerial Programme with delegations from all over the world.

There is also the continued appearance of the App Planet Exhibition, which is a chance for over 200 mobile app focused exhibitors to showcase their latest apps, gadgets and devices. The App Planet Exhibition runs for the duration of the entire Congress at the Fira Gran Via venue.

The highly anticipated Global Mobile Awards will reward the best technological advances in mobile technology, highlighting in particular those that have increased mobility for its users. The Awards will be hosted this year by British comedian and actor James Cordon. The BAFTA and Tony award winner will host the award ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday.

New programme introduced to MWC

This year sees the first appearance of a new Mobile World Congress programme, called mPowered Industries. The programme will host keynote speakers from a range of key industry verticals on a host of topics, such as marketing, advertising, media, travel and health. Speakers from the BBC, Walmart, Marriott and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are due to take place at a new venue, Fira Montjuic

Biggest ever attendance expected

The number of participating companies and visitors is expected to be the biggest in the history of the MWC. The organizers estimate its impact on the local economy of Barcelona to reach €356 million.