The bane of Spain comes mainly on the plane. Good luck Barcelona: You've bagged the MWC contract again
(2020/04/16)
- Reference: 1587043868
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/16/gsma_extends_mwc_contract/
- Source link:
There's some good news for Barcelona's tech-hungry pickpockets: the GSMA has [1]extended its contract to hold annual industry shindig Mobile World Congress in the city until 2024.
The GSMA's agreement with the so-called Host City Parties – which includes the governments of Catalonia and Barcelona, the Fira exhibition centre, and the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism – was due to expire in 2023, presenting the GSMA with the opportunity to renegotiate for a better deal, or relocate to a new city entirely.
MWC typically attracts over 100,000 attendees from around the world, and has a dramatic effect on the Barcelona economy, generating 13,000 temporary jobs and bringing in €460m. The biggest winners are the hospitality and travel sectors, with hotel prices surging to as much as five times the usual going rate.
MWC now stands for Mighty Wallet Crusher? Smaller firms counting the cost after mobile industry event scrapped [2]READ MORE
In a statement, John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Limited, said: "By extending through 2024, we are demonstrating our commitment to our ecosystem as well as the Host City Parties and our strong and mutually beneficial working relationship. We are pleased to report that we have had tremendous support and early commitment with many exhibitors for future editions."
This year-long extension is a direct consequence of the cancellation of this year's MWC event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the disease began to spread throughout China, and subsequently into the outside world, [3]cornerstone vendors like Samsung, Nvidia, and Ericsson pulled out. Eventually, it became clear the writing was on the wall for Mobile World Congress, and it was forced to cancel, but not before [4]reportedly begging the local authorities to declare a state of emergency , so it could claim on its insurance.
It's not clear what impact – if any – COVID-19 will have on next year's event. There's a real prospect the disease will have a lingering presence in Europe, particularly given the lack of certainty about a vaccine.
If that remains the case, and the event returns next year, it'll undoubtedly look very different. Given MWC is always a sweaty, crowded affair, it'll be interesting to see what changes will be introduced to allow for social distancing. And that's without mentioning any lingering disruption to international air travel.
It's comforting to know that one thing, however, will remain the same. Of course we're talking about the [5]pickpockets . ®
Sponsored: [6]Forrester Build a Digital Experience Portfolio
[1] https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/statement/gsma-and-host-city-parties-extend-mwc-barcelona-agreement/
[2] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/25/what_mwcs_cancellation_means_for_smaller_firms/
[3] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/12/mwc_now_means_mostly_without_companies_as_nokia_hmd_global_facebook_and_bt_drop_out/
[4] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mobile-world-congress-cancelled
[5] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/18/telstra_theft/
[6] https://go.theregister.co.uk/tl/1936/-8554/forrester-build-a-digital-experience-portfolio?td=wptl1936
The GSMA's agreement with the so-called Host City Parties – which includes the governments of Catalonia and Barcelona, the Fira exhibition centre, and the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism – was due to expire in 2023, presenting the GSMA with the opportunity to renegotiate for a better deal, or relocate to a new city entirely.
MWC typically attracts over 100,000 attendees from around the world, and has a dramatic effect on the Barcelona economy, generating 13,000 temporary jobs and bringing in €460m. The biggest winners are the hospitality and travel sectors, with hotel prices surging to as much as five times the usual going rate.
MWC now stands for Mighty Wallet Crusher? Smaller firms counting the cost after mobile industry event scrapped [2]READ MORE
In a statement, John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Limited, said: "By extending through 2024, we are demonstrating our commitment to our ecosystem as well as the Host City Parties and our strong and mutually beneficial working relationship. We are pleased to report that we have had tremendous support and early commitment with many exhibitors for future editions."
This year-long extension is a direct consequence of the cancellation of this year's MWC event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the disease began to spread throughout China, and subsequently into the outside world, [3]cornerstone vendors like Samsung, Nvidia, and Ericsson pulled out. Eventually, it became clear the writing was on the wall for Mobile World Congress, and it was forced to cancel, but not before [4]reportedly begging the local authorities to declare a state of emergency , so it could claim on its insurance.
It's not clear what impact – if any – COVID-19 will have on next year's event. There's a real prospect the disease will have a lingering presence in Europe, particularly given the lack of certainty about a vaccine.
If that remains the case, and the event returns next year, it'll undoubtedly look very different. Given MWC is always a sweaty, crowded affair, it'll be interesting to see what changes will be introduced to allow for social distancing. And that's without mentioning any lingering disruption to international air travel.
It's comforting to know that one thing, however, will remain the same. Of course we're talking about the [5]pickpockets . ®
Sponsored: [6]Forrester Build a Digital Experience Portfolio
[1] https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/statement/gsma-and-host-city-parties-extend-mwc-barcelona-agreement/
[2] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/25/what_mwcs_cancellation_means_for_smaller_firms/
[3] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/12/mwc_now_means_mostly_without_companies_as_nokia_hmd_global_facebook_and_bt_drop_out/
[4] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mobile-world-congress-cancelled
[5] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/18/telstra_theft/
[6] https://go.theregister.co.uk/tl/1936/-8554/forrester-build-a-digital-experience-portfolio?td=wptl1936
Cynic_999
Just sew lots of small fish-hooks into your pocket linings. Many people started doing that at a famous Johanesburg annual trade fair, and the number of pickpockets who (literally) chanced their arm dropped to almost zero.
Anonymous Coward
Let me tell you a story, back in the early 90's a rather dense friend of mine used to get his wallet robbed every time he travelled to the city centre (Manchester in case anyone is wondering) and had the rather clever idea of carrying an envelope stuffed with shit. That's right common or garden shit. Lets just say it didn't end well. Touch wood I've never been pick pocketed however I put that down to social distancing before it became fashionable.
Gotta picka pocketa two
Credit should be given where it's due, the dips in Barcelona are world class, they come from Columbia, Algeria, Romania and many other countries.
If a Guild of Pick pockets exists anywhere, it will be Barcelona.
If you visit, all pockets should have zips and Kevlar razor resistant linings, same with bags, anything not in a sealed bag or pocket should be chained to you and be sure to regularly count fingers and limbs.
I prefer exhibitions in Madrid, a nicer cheaper city with less crime overall in my experience.