MWC24 welcomes over 100,000 visitors, exceeding expectations

Mobile World Congress 2024 exceeded its expectations, welcoming over 101,000 people from 205 countries and territories around the world, according to a statement from organizers GSMA on Thursday. 

Over 2,700 exhibitors, sponsors and partners took part in the fair, which this year featured artificial intelligence as one of the main attractions, and 59% of attendees represented "industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem." 

Over half of the attendees, 51%, were at director level and above. 

4YFN, (Four Years from Now) which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary edition, welcomed 930 exhibitors, 450 speakers and over 1,000 investors with collective funds totaling €50 billion. 

In its statement GSMA said MWC Barcelona was "undeniably the world's largest and most influential connectivity event thanks to its unique combination of exhibitions, conferences and the largest gathering of policymakers who enable the digital economy." 

As well as in-person attendees, there were "over 400,000 unique viewers of the keynotes and live sessions on the MWC Barcelona website, Mobile World Live and media partners platforms and media outlets." 

Talent Arena, a new programme from MWCapital, celebrated its first edition at MWC with a 48-hour Open Gateway Hackathon and professionals from more than 400 companies 

The GSMA Ministerial Program convened over 180 delegations from 140 countries, including 2 heads of state, over 70 ministers, nearly 120 heads of regulatory authorities and over 40 intergovernmental organizations. 

"We are honored to host this special event which once again has delivered an exceptional four days of debate, thought leadership, inspiration and deal making," said GSMA CEO John Hoffman.  

"Barcelona has delivered again," he added. 

Mobile World Congress kicked off on Monday, filling all eight pavilions at Fira Gran Via, and ended on Thursday. Organizers have already announced the dates for the 2025 MWC, which will be held from March 3 to 6, 2025. 

Podcast 

To get a taste of what Mobile World Congress involves, listen to the podcast below, recorded there on Monday.