Thursday, March 01, 2012

Mobile World Congress is bigger than ever

There was something nostalgic about this year's mobile world congress. This was the last year for this key event in the mobile calendar to be held at these premises on Plaza Espanja. Next year the event is planned in a brand new location, but still in Barcelona. as a matter of fact Barcelona started marketing the brand "mobile capital" this year.

And everything was bigger this year: more people, more exhibitors, more flash and bling, more claims, more press releases and more new products. There is nothing like this in the world of business. Any-one attending the congress has been blown away when they experience the sheer size and scale of the event. After four days of intensity, it is almost an anti-climax to take the taxi to the airport.

The key impressions of this year's event was the contrast beween the significant and the insignificant. Many announcements were over the top significant; ranging from new phones to ground-breaking technology. From statements by Google to collaborations between the world's biggest corporations. But, this year again, the spirit and possibility of mobile was actually captured in the insignificant. I was touched by so many small entrepreneurs with great ideas and products. The initiatives of the industry to grow the contribution of women and make innovation in emerging markets more important are the examples that makes this industry special.

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