Speakers include leaders from Accenture, Dell Technologies, Microsoft and the United Nations; as well as the Nobel Prize winner, Sir Konstantin Sergeevich Novoselo
January 25, 2024, Barcelona:The GSMA held its pre-MWC press conference today, revealing new keynote speakers, participants and features for MWC Barcelona 2024 taking place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, February 26-29.
The theme of this year's event is Future First, Working to Solve the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow. Future First is supported by the MWC agenda and is made up of six sub-themes that reflect the latest trends and technologies, including 5G and beyond, Connecting everything, Humanizing AI, DX Manufacturing, Game Changers and Our digital DNA.
The press conference, hosted by GSMA Director General Mats Granryd and Marketing Director Lara Dewar, revealed that the Bar Associationcwomen's striker and African Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, as the new ambassador of the Breaking Barriers campaign. Oshoala will use her platform as a footballer (and the profile of the Asisat Oshoala Foundation) to raise awareness about the challenges that contribute to the usage gap, such as mobile phone affordability, literacy and digital skills.
Additionally, two new speakers will join the distinguished group of connectivity leaders announced earlier this year, including Carmen Artigas, co-chair of the UN AI Advisory Council, and Sir Konstantin Sergeevich Novoselo, professor at the National University of Singapore and winner . of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Mats Granryd, CEO of GSMA, said: “This year's edition of MWC Barcelona will mark 18 years since we brought our flagship event to the city of Barcelona, and we are grateful for our unique public-private partnership based on innovation, collaboration and mutual success. “The MWC is a unifying force that emphasizes how mobile technology transcends political, geographic and cultural boundaries, and we look forward to kicking off this gathering of the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial minds next month.”
“I am as excited about this edition of MWC as I was about my first exhibition in Barcelona in 2006,” says John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. “As always, we are back bigger and better with a great lineup of speakers, exhibitors, and programs that speak to the entire mobile ecosystem, from industry innovators to policymakers. We're excited to work with our host city parties to deliver the world's biggest tech event, supported by some of the world's biggest tech brands. “I really want to experience the bustle of the theaters and see Barcelona shine in February.”
GSMA Chief Marketing Officer Lara Dewar said: “MWC is no longer mobile first or digital first, we are future first, and the event brings together industries, technologies and communities to realize the future potential for sustainability of our society and planet. At MWC Barcelona you will have the opportunity to interact with the leaders of the moment and participate in the debates of the year, while experiencing the technology of tomorrow.”
Celebrating the 10th 4YFN edition
4YFN, the startup and innovation platform at MWC Barcelona, celebrates its 10thth edition at this year's fair. Over the past decade, the startup event has hosted more than 4,200 exhibitors and connected more than 9,200 founders with 5,200 investors looking to find the most promising digital startups. To celebrate his 10th In its anniversary edition, 4YFN will fill Hall 8 and feature four stages hosting the 4YFN Awards, on-stage pitch competitions and keynotes from some of the biggest names in the global startup space. Recently confirmed speakers include Sara Bisbe, co-founder and CTO of AI at Aily Labs, and Chema Alonso, chief digital officer at Telefónica.
4YFN will also feature partner programs from Amazon, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, ESADE, GSK and the Information Industry Institute.
Beyond Mobile: Showcasing vertical innovations and driving political debate
The GSMA confirmed the return of the Journey to the Future Congress and Sports Tomorrow, both located in Hall 6, Connected Industries in Hall 4, and the invitation-only GSMA Ministerial Programme.
Journey to the Future is MWC Barcelona's high-tech space, where attendees can discover and interact with the technologies that are changing the face of six sectors: healthcare, artificial intelligence, mobility, sustainability, accessibility and retail.
Also announced was the participation of Emirates Team New Zealand, winner of the 36th Copa América, as part of the Journey to the Future Sustainability track. Attendees will have the opportunity to see their innovative hydrogen-powered chase boat and discover how innovations in hydrofoil technology are opening up new possibilities in clean technology, before the 37th.th The Copa América will arrive in Barcelona in August of this year.
Sports Tomorrow Congress is presented by Barça Innovation Hub and offers attendees a unique experience on how mobile technology is transforming sport. The congress is based on decades of knowledge of FC Barcelona on topics such as health, nutrition, high sports performance, the digital field and the impact of the sports industry on society.
Connected Industries is dedicated to showcasing vertical innovations developing in mobile-adjacent industries. Divided into four summits, it will highlight how connected technologies are changing the face of manufacturing, smart mobility, fintech and mobile commerce, and entertainment. Connected Industries will host speakers exploring topics such as connected vehicles, Industry 4.0, the fraud landscape and the role of technology in enhancing fan and guest experiences.
The GSMA Ministerial Program is the world's largest gathering of policymakers and industry leaders enabling the digital economy. The Program provides a forum where ministers, heads of regulatory authorities and policymakers, and CEOs of the mobile industry and representatives of international organizations can share knowledge and develop policy and regulatory issues. Priority topics for this year's agenda include investment in networks, spectrum availability and the usage gap.
Cultural experiences at the doors of MWC Barcelona
The GSMA also confirmed the return of several food, networking and entertainment venues, providing attendees with authentic dining, cultural and entertainment experiences. Beat Barcelona, located on the outdoor terrace of Pavilion 8, offers a relaxed networking space with culinary experiences and live concerts each day of the show.
The Meet & Eat space, created in collaboration with the L'Hospitalet City Council, also returns for its 9thth year. Located just steps from the south entrance of MWC, it welcomes local chefs and artists for attendees to enjoy, right on the doorstep of MWC Barcelona.
For 10 years, the MWC has been certified carbon neutral and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as 'The World's Largest Carbon Neutral Trade Show'.
The press conference is available to view on demand here. Discover more information in our Press Area and, if you have not done so already, register to get your place to attend MWC Barcelona here.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to learn more at gsma.com
