Are you new to Mobile World Congress?
Do you wonder what to expect, or don't understand some of our terminology? We've put this page together especially for you. We've answered some of the most common queries below, and invite you tocontact our Customer Care team on Twitter with additional questions you wish us to address.
Preparing for the GSMA Mobile World Congress
What should I bring with me?
What is the dress code?
I only speak _______. How will I manage?
What is the weather like?
Should I convert my native currency to Euro? Where do I get Euros?
Experiencing the GSMA Mobile World Congress
How do I get to the event venue, Fira Montjuïc?
What's the layout of the venue?
How do I find a specific exhibitor?
Are meals included in my pass? Where do I eat?
Can I hold a meeting on site?
How can I connect with other attendees?
Communications
What do you mean by...? (MWC Lingo)
How do I stay in touch with what's going on during the show?
Hear from Past Attendees
Survival Tips
Arriving at Mobile World Congress
How do I get to the venue, Fira Montjuïc?
Fira Montjuïc is located in the southwest part of the city, the Sants-Montjuïc district. The airport is located a mere 20 minutes away, and there is one bus line and two Metro lines that can deliver you right to the venue. In addition, we have ample room for taxi pickup and drop-offs, and we offer shuttle services from select hotels in town. Barcelona is also accessible by train and boat.
In short, there are many ways to get to the venue - it all depends on where you're staying! View our transportation pages for the most up-to-date information available.
Back to top
What should I bring with me?
While we can't recommend a specific packing list, there are a few things no one should be without at Congress.
For speedy collection of your badge, bring the official registration confirmation containing a barcode. (Having the confirmation with a barcode allows you to skip registration altogether and "Fast Track" your way into the venue.) If you don't have the registration with a barcode, having your confirmation number with you will shorten retrieval of your registration information. (Please note all badges must be picked up on site; no badges are mailed before you arrive.)
You should also bring photo identification with you. It's required to show your badge and photo ID to our security personnel at the venue's access points, and attendees are subject to random ID checks throughout the event. Acceptable forms of photo identification are a national ID card, your passport or a driving license with picture.
Finally you'll need to bring a business card to retrieve your badge. Speaking of business cards, bring a good supply of them with you. And by 'good supply' we mean a GOOD supply - we've yet to hear of anyone complain that they brought too many cards! With 60,000 attendees, chances are good you'll find many people with whom you wish to share them.
Back to top
What is the dress code?
The GSMA Mobile World Congress is many things - a conference, an exhibition and trade show - but above all it's a place to do business, and business attire is what you will see most often. Suits and ties are the norm for men, and women typically wear jackets with skirts or trousers.
No matter what you choose to wear, we definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes. It may be difficult to understand how large the venue is since you're new to the event. Between the eight exhibition halls and the outdoor space, Fira Barcelona covers 165,000 sq metres, or 540,000 sq feet of space. You're not likely to walk all of it, but comfortable shoes will surely improve the distance you actually cover. Trust us - your feet will thank you.
Back to top
I only speak _______. How will I manage?
Catalan is the official language in Barcelona, but Spanish and English are also widely spoken. Of course, many hospitality workers in tourist areas and restaurants speak additional languages as well. As an international event, we often include symbols on signage to improve communication. If you're concerned about this, you may wish to obtain a Catalan, Spanish or English dictionary before you leave your home country.
All Mobile World Congress sessions and communications are all conducted in English. Translation or interpretation services are not offered.
Back to top
What is the weather like?
Barcelona's average temperature in February is 13 degrees Centigrade, or 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are usually very mild given the city's proximity to the Mediterranean. We’ve had everything from sunny days to snow and rain in recent years. Come prepared, and bring an umbrella just in case!
Back to top
Should I convert my native currency to Euro? Where do I get Euros?
All transactions in the city and at Mobile World Congress will be transacted in Euros, so you will definitely need to have Euro currency in your pocket. You may wish to change money before you arrive in Barcelona via your home financial institution. Don't worry that you may run out - there are many ATMs around the city and even within Fira Montjuic. There are currency conversion outlets at most international airports as well as the Barcelona Airport.
Back to top
Experiencing GSMA Mobile World Congress
What's the layout of the venue?
Fira Montjuïc is a large venue (view map), but it’s fairly easy to figure out. If you were to stand between the Venetian Towers in Plaça Espanya facing the National Palace of Montjuïc, the Halls are laid out in order going clockwise, beginning with Hall 1 on your left side and leading to Hall 8 on your right side. However, we reference a few locations that aren’t inside one of the Halls that you might be curious as to their location.
-
“The Courtyard” is the area bordered by Halls 1, 2, 4 and 5
-
“The Avenue” is the closed-off street that runs down the middle of the venue
-
“The Upper Village” is the portion of the venue across Ruis i Taulet street, and contains Halls 6 and 7, as well as the beautiful Magic Fountain
The venue takes longer to navigate than you might expect due to both the size and number of people at the event. First-time visitors often make the mistake of not allowing for “travel time” between locations inside the venue when planning their schedules. To help you plan, the MWC team recommends allowing for the following travel time after you pass through the security tents and enter the venue:
-
From Plaça Espanya to Hall 1 or Hall 8 = allow 5 minutes
-
From Plaça Espanya to Halls 4 or 5 = allow 10 minutes
-
From Plaça Espanya to the Upper Village or App Planet = allow 15 minutes
-
From Hall 1 to Hall 4 = allow 5 to 10 minutes
-
From Hall 2 to the Upper Village = allow 15 to 20 minutes
-
From Hall 5 to Hall 8 = allow 5 to 10 minutes
Back to top
How do I find a specific exhibitor?
The first step is to find the exhibitor's stand number, which will be posted in the future on www.mobileworldcongress.com. On site it can be found via the MWC Event App or in the official Exhibition Catalogue.
The Exhibition Catalogue is available at the Registration and information desks in each Hall and provides the most comprehensive look at the exhibition halls. This catalogue contains an index of all exhibitors, profiles and contact details, and hall maps. Speaking of maps, you should also pick up a folding "Village Map" to tuck in your pocket for easy reference.
Stand numbers look something like this: 1E02.
-
The first number designates the Hall: in this case, Hall 1.
-
The second character tells us that the stand is located on Row "E". In the Halls, overhead signs will tell you which row is which.
-
The final characters "02" tell you where on the row to find that specific stand.
This particular exhibitor could be found in Hall 1, Row E, the second stand in the row.
If for some reason the stand you're looking for doesn't fit that pattern, then look for the "You Are Here" maps in each hall, or ask at the information point near the entrance of the hall.
Back to top
Are meals included in my pass? Where do I eat?
Many hotels throughout the city offer a breakfast option when booking your room. If your hotel doesn't offer morning food service, there are many wonderful cafes and restaurants both inside and outside the venue where you can find something to eat.
Both the Platinum Pass and the Gold Pass include access to the Congress Lunch, a seated meal served in Hall 5, right in the middle of the venue. Just walk in, scan your badge, and select a meal - it's quite simple and doesn't require that you carry cash.
If you select a Silver Pass or Exhibition Visitor Pass, then meals are not included. However, there are more than 40 food and beverage outlets set up around Fira Barcelona, including several full-scale restaurants for sit-down meals. From sandwiches to paella to sushi, you'll find food options suitable for most diets. You won't go hungry! On-site food outlets accept cash and credit cards.
You're on your own in the evenings, and the city's many wonderful restaurants await. But you're still in luck - we have an onsite facility to help you secure the best tables around town.
Back to top
Can I hold a meeting on site?
One of the main reasons people come to Mobile World Congress is to network and hold meetings. While many of these meetings are set up before arrival, ad hoc meetings happen all of the time. With 60,000 industry professionals in a confined area, you'll find many people with whom you wish to talk!
If you're holding many meetings on site, you might consider renting a hospitality suite. These are private, enclosed spaces reserved just for you. You can customise your space with company materials and refreshments, and hold your meetings in style. To learn more about hospitality spaces, submit an enquiry using this form .
For more informal meetings, there are many casual places to meet at the Fira Montjuïc venue - you'll see people sharing a cup of coffee at one of the restaurants in The Courtyard, sitting by the Magic Fountain in the Upper Village, or soaking up the sun on a grassy area.
Our Platinum and Gold Pass holders have access to the VIP Networking Lounge, located in Hall 4. This ‘airport style’ business lounge offers soft seating, refreshments, work areas and meeting spaces. See this page for more information.
Finally, there is limited hourly meeting space available for rent through the onsite Business Centre. This space must be rented on site (pre-booking, unfortunately is not available) and is first-come, first-served.
Back to top
How can I connect with other attendees?
The best way to network is to start before the show, using My MWC. After you’ve completed your registration for Mobile World Congress and opted-in to My MWC, you’ll have access to search tools enabling you to find other attendees, search by location or interest, and send messages to those you’d like to connect with on site. My MWC also contains discussion boards and allows you to create a personalised schedule with just the meetings and events you plan to attend. Click here (link to My MWC page) to learn more.
In addition, why not consider joining one of the social networking sites for Mobile World Congress and the GSMA? We can currently be found on Facebook, LinkedIn , and Twitter.
Back to top
Communications
What do you mean by...? (MWC Lingo)
We know that attending an event in a foreign country with 60,000 other people can be daunting, so we'll help out by explaining some of the terminology we use in reference to Mobile World Congress. You might come across these terms while looking through our website, printed materials and on venue maps.
|
Our Term |
The Definition or Description
|
|
Access Point
|
The location where attendees show your Congress badge and ID to enter the Fira Montjuïc venue
|
|
Fira Montjuïc
|
The venue for Mobile World Congress 2012, often shortened to "Fira."
|
|
Hospitality Suite
|
This is the final year Mobile World Congress is being held at Fira Montjuïc. Quite simply, a meeting room rented by a specific group to hold private meetings in during Congress. Hospitality Suites are located in Halls 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 as well as in The Courtyard and on The Avenue.
|
|
Media Centre
|
This is a press-only area for the journalists reporting on Mobile World Congress.
|
|
Metro
|
The official name for the underground transportation system in Barcelona, which is how many attendees arrive at the Fira Montjuïc venue.
|
|
National Palace in Montjuïc
|
This is the beautiful palace at the top of the hill visible from the Fira Montjuïc venue. It's also sometimes called "The National Palace."
|
|
Plaza Espanya
|
Plaça Espanya, is the public square at the foot of Fira Montjuïc. Two major throughways, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and Avinguda del Parallel intersect here, and underneath the square is a large Metro station serving the city.
|
|
Taxi Rank
|
Official drop-off and pick-up locations just outside the venue, on either end of The Avenue.
|
|
The Avenue
|
Our term for Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, the closed-off street that runs between Halls 1-5 and Hall 8
|
|
The Courtyard
|
How we refer to the enclosed area bordered by Halls 1, 2, 4 and 5, which features several large restaurants, Hospitality Suites and outside seating.
|
|
Upper Village
|
Our term for the portion of the venue across and above Ruis I Taulet, near the Magic Fountain, including Halls 6 and 7.
|
Back to top
How do I stay in touch with what's going on during the show?
The best way to stay in touch is via the Mobile World Daily, the official daily newspaper of the show. The Mobile World Daily is printed every night and available at the entrance gates to Fira Montjuïïc, and covers the news and breaking events of the day. This is a great way to find out what news is coming out of the show, or get a recap from conference sessions you may have missed. Mobile World Daily includes exhibition maps, and typically includes schedule updates. If something changes at the last minute, watch for us to send out notices on our Facebook page through Twitter, or on the large Mobile World Live TV screen on The Avenue.
Back to top
Survival tips from past attendees.
We reached out to past attendees on our MWC Social Media presences and asked them what’s their best ‘survival tip’ for Mobile World Congress. You can download these additional tips here.
Have a tip of your own? Add it to our Facebook fan page or tell us on Twitter!
Back to top
