World’s largest and most influential connectivity event also exceeded pre-event estimates for part-time jobs – with more than 9,100 created across the city of Barcelona
15 September 2023, Barcelona: MWC Barcelona 2023 contributed €461mn to the Barcelona economy, according to an economic impact report released by the GSMA. The figure signals a return to pre-2019 levels of the event’s economic contribution, with previous editions of MWC Barcelona generating €473mn in 2019, €469mn in 2018 and €465mn in 2017, showcasing the importance of the event for the global connectivity community.
MWC Barcelona 2023, which welcomed more than 88,500 attendees across four days in February – an increase of 45% compared to last year – also created 9,100 part time jobs in the city of Barcelona, an increase of 1,700 compared to 2022.
The event is the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, taking place every year at the Fira de Barcelona. Since 2006, MWC Barcelona is estimated to have generated €5.8bn of economic impact and created over 150,000 part-time jobs across Catalonia.
MWC Barcelona 2023 in numbers:
- €461mn of economic impact generated – up from an estimate of €350mn
- More than 9,100 part time jobs created
- More than 88,500 attendees from 202 countries and territories
- More than 2,400 exhibitors, sponsors and partners
- 64,000 attendees visiting from outside of Barcelona with more than 36,000 accompanying visitors
- €5.8bn contributed to the Barcelona economy in total since 2006
- 50% of attendees above director level, 21% of whom have CxO profiles
“This year, MWC Barcelona was back in full force, meaning we were able to bring thousands of people back to the wonderful city of Barcelona,” said GSMA Ltd’s CEO, John Hoffman. “The number of partners, businesses, policymakers and, of course, delegates, truly exceeded our hopes and expectations.
“I would like to express our sincerest thanks to the city for welcoming us year in, year out. We love hosting the show in Barcelona and it is great to give back to this fantastic region in such an impactful way. We’ve already committed to continue to stage our flagship event in Barcelona until 2030 and can’t wait to come back – and exceed our achievements even further – next year.”
Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, expressed his gratitude for the results. He explained that the news sends a message of confidence in the city; shared success between Barcelona and MWC; and that the event helps define the economic model they want for Barcelona by creating stability and future opportunities.
Collboni commented, “In 2006, the formula for success for this event was defined and it has been repeated in recent years with collaboration between administrations, public-private collaboration and having the desire to leave a legacy. MWC generates great economic value, but the important legacy is that the event helps promote the city, making it attractive so the best talent, entrepreneurs and investments come to Barcelona.”
The benefits of MWC Barcelona extend beyond the value it brings to the global mobile and technology sectors during the event’s annual week – it provides a legacy all year round. MWC is a vital creator of prospects and economic opportunities that benefit the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain. MWC provides a range of programmes and activities such as the Mobile World Capital and mSchools – which has supported more than 350,000 students to-date – throughout the year.
MWC Barcelona convenes global leaders from the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries to discuss the biggest trends impacting the future of connectivity, with topics ranging from 5G, AI, the Fair Share debate and public policy, as well as cross-sector collaborations. Thanks to its increasingly diverse nature, the show provides an excellent platform to foster innovation and debate, network and make new connections, and deliver the key decision-makers necessary to make deals.
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About GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to find out more at gsma.com
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