MWC 09 Attracts 47,000 Visitors

The GSM Association (GSMA) has reported that more than 47,000 visitors from 189 countries attended the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC), which ended yesterday. The GSMA says that 50% of Mobile World Congress attendees hold C-level positions, including more than 2,800 CEOs. It points out that the figure includes delegates, exhibitors, contractors and media. Some might consider the inclusion of contractors a tad spurious, desperate even, We have asked for a like for like comparison with last year’s figure, but at the time of writing, we have not had a reply. The Congress featured 1,300 exhibiting companies and occupied more than 57,000 sq m of exhibition and hospitality space, a footprint 11% larger than that of the previous year. Almost 2,400 international print, web and broadcast media attended the event. “We’re extremely pleased with the turnout that we’ve seen this week,” says John Hoffman, CEO of GSM Conferences, which is involved in the organization of the event. “The strong level of attendance, particularly among the C-suite of the world’s leading communications companies, demonstrates that Mobile World Congress continues to be the place where the industry comes to do business. The mobile industry stands out as one of the few vibrant sectors in a tumultuous world economy, and this week’s Congress emphasises the important role mobile has in creating new opportunities that will drive future growth.”

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