This year’s edition of CES is held online, aka completely digital. The annual pilgrimage by tech enthusiasts to Las Vegas, Nevada does not take place because people have to attend the multi-day event from their homes, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
After CES, the annual technology event that is also eagerly awaited is MWC. You might think the GSMA will take the same route for this year’s edition of the MWC Barcelona, but that’s not the case. MWC Barcelona this year is scheduled for June, not the first quarter of this year.
One thing that is no less surprising, GSMA as the organizer of MWC Barcelona is preparing for face-to-face events rather than being held completely digital. To manage the event and minimize the risk of participants catching COVID-19, the organizers reduced the number of participants from 100,000 to 50,000.
In addition, those who attended the event had to take the COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Some of the other steps, of course, include requiring participants to wear masks, maintaining their distance by controlling crowd density, and controlling traffic.
The GSMA also mentioned that they will roll out a touchless enrollment model. In addition, periodically disinfecting exhibition locations, including products on display and audio-visual equipment. There will be a dedicated page on safety standards that exhibitors and invitees should know.
Prior to the date adjustment, the MWC Barcelona was usually held between late February and early March. Last year, the event had to be canceled after several exhibitors withdrew due to the pandemic. It remains to be seen whether some smartphone manufacturers will be willing to take the plunge this year.
It is fitting, if this year’s MWC Barcelona will be held “offline”, the GSMA must strictly enforce rules in accordance with the health protocols made by WHO. The plan, MWC Barcelona 2021 is scheduled to start on June 28 to July 1.
While MWC Barcelona is still a few months away, MWC Shanghai will start next week, to be precise it will be held on February 23 to February 25. This event will also be held offline and of course in compliance with the agreed health protocols.
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