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With Mobile World Congress 2018 taking place in less than two weeks, the countdown begins now! After ten years of attending, we’d like to consider ourselves ‘MWC veterans’. There are plenty of websites that will give you information on keynote speakers, daily lineups, and tech releases that everyone’s buzzing about. This is all important information – however, as organisers, we tend to think of every last detail. Today we’re sharing Mobile World Congress 2018 local information to help you get around like a Barcelona local.
Mobile World Congress 2018 officially starts on Monday 26 February and ends on Thursday 1 March 2018. You can find the full agenda here, as well as an extensive networking party list here.
Local tip – don’t wait until Monday for the festivities to begin. Here are two events that you don’t want to miss on Sunday 25 February:
1. Mobile Lunch – Teatre Nacional de Catalunya – 60€ for networking drinks and lunch, fireside chat, and panel. Metro stops: Glories (L1), Monumental (L2), Bogatell (L4)
2. Meet the Editors and Analysts Cocktail Party – free networking event with registration at Alba Granados Restaurant. We’re attending! Want to swap business cards and a few uncomfortable ice-breaker jokes? Email [email protected] and let’s make networking great again. Metro stops: Passeig de Gràcia (L2/L3/L4), Universitat (L1/L2)
This year the tickets are NOT cheap (have they ever been?) but we think they’re worth it. Here’s how the pricing scheme goes:
Basic Exhibition Pass: €799. (Doesn’t include the GLOMO Awards, Keynote and Conference Sessions, GSMA Intelligence Report, VIP Networking Lounge, Conference Lunch, or Pre-Event Customer Service.) The perfect recommendation for a first-time attendee. As for the VIP Networking Lounge, there are SO many other events happening throughout the week where you can network without spending the extra €1,400.
Silver Pass: €2,199. (Doesn’t include the GSMA Intelligence Report, VIP Networking Lounge, Conference Lunch, or Pre-Event Customer Service.) If you can afford it, we’d recommend this pass. It’s worth the money, especially if you’re keen on attending the GLOMO Awards and interested in the Keynote Speakers.
Gold Pass: €2,699. This is the golden ticket to access everything MWC has to offer. Go ahead and treat yourself to the magical experience that is Mobile World Congress, gold style.
Platinum Pass: €4,999. This pass grants you airport arrival service, VIP parking, concierge service desk, priority dining reservations, VIP meeting space, priority seating, keynotes and GLOMO awards, and exclusive content.
The prices are steep, but they are most certainly worth it for this year’s lineup.
Local tip – if you’ve ever thought about hosting your own networking party or technology release party, check out these gorgeous Barcelona terraces to get inspired.
There are two venues for the Mobile World Congress – one in the city, and one just outside of it.
Fira Gran Via
The venue located outside the city, where most of the action takes place, is at Fira Gran Via (map) Av. Joan Carles I, 64 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. This is where the actual conference takes place.
Fira Montjuïc
4YFN, also known as ‘startup heaven’, is the only event that takes place at the Fira Montjuïc (map) within Barcelona, Avda. Reina Maria Cristina, s/n 08004, Barcelona.
Although Barcelona boasts a relaxed and safe environment, you still need to be cautious and alert - especially when drinking is involved. One of Barcelona’s worst crimes is theft, especially by carteristas, or pick-pockets.
The most common places to be targeted are on public transport, at outdoor restaurants, and when on the famous La Rambla.
In the unfortunate case that you do get robbed, keep the following in mind to make a report:
– You need to speak to the local Catalan police, the Mossos d’Esquadra.
– The word for report in Spanish is denuncia.
– Like in any country, Spanish bureaucracy is a nightmare. Be prepared to wait for hours…
– Save time by listing the items stolen as well as their value.
Police Station: Comisaria de Policia de Barcelona (Ciutat Vella)
Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 76-80, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
They are extremely patient and helpful, and usually have a translator on hand.
Metro stop: Liceu (Green Line, L3)
Local tip: leave as many important identification documents as possible in your accommodation, and bring out scanned copies instead.
If you haven’t checked out our article on the best neighborhoods to get drinks in Barcelona, don’t miss it. You can also download our e-guide to bar-hopping by barrio (neighbourhood) curated by our local team.
Local tip: a ritual in Catalonia is the Sunday vermouth. Vermut here does not mean Martini Rossi, friends. Here’s how the Catalans get their vermouth on and avoid looking like a guiri (tourist).
– The main purpose of vermut is to whet your appetite before a big Sunday lunch.
– It should be served on the rocks, with or without a spritz of soda, and with a lemon slice, orange slice, or a green olive.
– It’s usually accompanied by sardines, anchovies, crisps, pickled snacks, and tends to cost a whopping two euros (life in Spain is GOOD!).
If you want more tips on how to avoid falling into tourist traps, let us guide you along! Remember to network your little heart out, keep your pockets zipped on the metro – and remember that no, Barcelona is not famous for Flamenco shows.
Have any tips you’d like to share to add to our Mobile World Congress 2018 Local Information? Leave a comment below!