The GSMA, organiser of MWC Barcelona (formerly Mobile World Congress), has re-appointed Giant iTab as one of its recommended ‘event technology’ suppliers for its 2020 and 2021 events following the success of the partnership at this year’s event. MWC Barcelona is the largest mobile event in the world, bringing together the latest innovations and leading-edge technology from more than 2,400 leading companies at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona attracting over 109,000 visitors. 

MWC Barcelona has been recognised as ‘The World’s Largest Carbon Neutral Trade Show’ by the Guinness World Records for two years in a row and the GSMA is constantly working on new initiatives to generate the least waste possible by recycling or donating the majority of event material. In line with the GSMA’s sustainability initiatives it was decided that there would no longer be a printed event guide at the 2019 show. Instead, Giant iTab supplied 20 of its 43 inch giant smartphones for exhibitors and visitors to access the event guide information, saving the need to print. The event’s website was also available directly on the giant smartphones, with all the relevant show information and attendees were able to download the event mobile app to their own devices from the giant smartphones by touching their IOS or Android mobile to the NFC ‘Tap for the App’ points located at the top of each giant smartphone.

The giant smartphones were strategically placed around the venue in areas where they would be most visible, such as the event entrances, boulevards and breakout areas. By reflecting the event website’s content, the giant smartphones gave visitors the same interactive experience – but on a giant scale. This made it easy for them to access all the event information, including exhibitor lists, floor plans, seminar, sponsor and speaker information at their fingertips. The giant smartphones provided the perfect solution for increasing adoption of the event website, delivering a better visitor experience, getting exhibitors and sponsors more exposure and additionally providing a greener alternative to the traditional printed event guides.

Over a quarter of a million touches were recorded on the giant smartphones across the four-day show. The smartphones helped to increase visibility of, and access to, key event information and to drive attendes to where they wanted to go. They also helped to encourage more people to be more involved in the event. When asked, show attendees said the giant smartphones helped them to make the most of their day and locate what they were looking for more easily.

Show attendee Mario Amura, CEO of Emoticron, said: “I first spotted the giant smartphones in the boulevard area at MWC Barcelona and was instantly attracted. The giant smartphones allowed me to easily search for what I needed to know and helped me to find the exhibitors I wanted to see as well as review all the seminar sessions. I have not seen these before at MWC Barcelona, so this was a very valuable new experience for me.”

Giant iTab’s Founder CEO, Mark Jones, says: “We are incredibly proud to be working with the organisers of Mobile World Congress for a further two years to help improve the visitor experience at such a well-respected event.”

Adam Parry
Author: Adam Parry

Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.