Mobile Asia Congress to take place in Macau in November followed by Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February
The GSMA is rebranding the 3GSM World Congress and its sister event in Asia to reflect their role encouraging the development of compelling new mobile services for end-users. Set to take place in Macau in November, the 3GSM World Congress Asia will now be called the Mobile Asia Congress and the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona has been rebranded as the Mobile World Congress.
“Both the GSMA and the Congresses are focused on helping operators use the potent platform provided by today’s highly-capable and extensive mobile networks to better serve the many needs and desires of this industry’s almost 3 billion customers,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA, which owns both the Barcelona and Macau events. “Attracting visitors from the information technology, entertainment and financial services industries, as well as the mobile industry, the Congresses provide forums for the cross-pollination of services, ideas and business models.”
The two Congresses, which attract speakers, exhibitors and visitors from across the world and all segments of the mobile market, serve one of the world’s most widespread and fast-growing industries. The mobile industry has added one billion new connections in just two years and is set to pass the three billion milestone in August, according to the mobile industry research service, Wireless Intelligence.
The Mobile Asia Congress will take place in the vibrant entertainment hub of Macau, where it will be well-placed to cover the evolution of mobile music, games, films, advertising and other multimedia entertainment, as well as China’s imminent adoption of 3G technologies.
The GSMA has also announced today that GSMC, its subsidiary that runs the Congresses, has appointed John Hoffman, a dynamic and experienced mobile industry executive, as CEO. Having served as a senior executive with mobile operators in both the U.S. and Europe and CEO of mobile technology suppliers fastmobile and Roamware, Mr. Hoffman has extensive experience of the many facets of the mobile industry.
“We appointed John to take on this challenging role because he has the in-depth understanding of mobile communications and the commercial acumen necessary to ensure that the Mobile Congresses in Macau and Barcelona remain at the forefront of this fast-moving and fast-growing industry,” added Mr. Conway.
Mr. Conway also announced that Bill Gadja, the GSMA’s Chief Marketing Officer, has taken on the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer at the GSMA. Instrumental in the GSMA’s groundbreaking work with the Sundance Institute and the Bollywood film industry, Mr. Gadja will lead the development of media and entertainment programmes within the GSMA, as well as the expansion and delivery of the Association’s Mobile Innovation Programme.
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About the Mobile World Congresses
The GSMA’s Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress are the world’s leading mobile communications conference and exhibition events, where top executives from mobile operators, equipment vendors, IT companies and entertainment providers meet to do business.
The Mobile Asia Congress 2007 will take place at The Venetian, Cotai Strip in Macau between the 12thand 15th November 2007. For more information please visit www.mobileasiacongress.com
The Mobile World Congress in 2008 will take place at the Fira de Barcelona, Spain, between 11th and 14th February 2008. For more information please visit www.mobileworldcongress.com
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries of the world. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners.
The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than 2.2 billion customers – 82% of the world’s mobile phone users.
For more information please contact:
For the GSM Association:
Mark Smith or David Pringle
Email: [email protected]