GSMA confirms that Mobile World Congress will remain in Barcelona until 2024

The 2020 edition of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona was one of the first event casualties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancellation was responsible for a fall of around 480 million dollars in the economy of the events of the technology industry. However, the GSMA has announced that MWC will remain in the Spanish city until 2024.

In a press release, John Hoffman, CEO of the event's organizing body, says that, even in times of pandemic, it is essential to focus on the future. Thus, the 2021 edition of the MWC, scheduled for March 1 to 4 next year, will be one of the key points in the country's economic recovery process.

The GSMA CEO also indicates that the extension of the link with the regional government of Catalonia for another year also reinforces the organization's commitment to the entire MWC ecosystem and to the cities hosting the event.

It is recalled that the cancellation of the 2020 edition of MWC left its mark on the Spanish city that receives it. Many technologists have been forced to cancel their professional commitments, including bookings in hotels, restaurants, transport and other services. The organization of the event also indicated that there would be no refunds for companies.

SAPO TEK, present at the time in Barcelona to follow Huawei's launches, toured the place where the great technological event should take place even before getting to know the Chinese manufacturer's new products to understand the impact made on the local business.

At the Fira Barcelona convention center, the ground zero of MWC, there was no longer any reference to the event and the place looked like a ghost town on a day when it was supposed to be catholic and have a sea of ​​people in lines to enter. The impact on local businesses was notable: from the hotel restoration, through local businesses and transport.