(25 Feb 2020) LEAD IN:
Barcelona's tech scene isn't letting the cancellation of Mobile World Congress (MWC) impact its standing, organising a replacement startup event in just ten days.
City officials are remaining tight-lipped over the economic impacts of the tech fair's sudden cancellation. Instead, focusing on the resilience of local industries.
STORY-LINE:
Barcelona's Gran Via convention centre was expected to welcome 100,000 visitors from around the world this week. But the cancellation of Mobile World Congress (MWC) tech fair, less than two weeks ago, now means there's little activity, except workers removing final parts of infrastructure.
MWC was cancelled after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out over the COVID-19 virus, including major companies like Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Amazon, Intel and LG. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors.
Not to be deterred by the fair's sudden cancellation, the city's tech scene rallied. In just ten days, organisations and businesses put together a four-day event to showcase the city's startups.
Now, around 5,000 visitors are flooding the halls of Llotja de Mar convention centre for the "Tech Spirit Barcelona" conference. The message? "Nothing can stop us now".
"The most important impact is for the eco-system in technology in Barcelona is that you have a tremendous window opportunity for having meetings with international investors," says Miguel Vicente, president of non-profit Barcelona Tech City, which helped organise the event.
"For example, myself, usually this week, I have three breakfasts, two (lunches) and three cocktails every day. We didn't want to lose that."
Tech Spirit Barcelona features over 100 events throughout the city. Vicente says all speakers are appearing for free.
"It was bottom up process, where the initiative came from the social networks, with the spirit of Barcelona. It has been like a Notre Dame effect, where we have been able to work together against bad news and create this event in just ten days," he says.
Vicente says he's not worried about potential health risks, following the cancellation of MWC over the spread of COVID-19. He points to assurances by local authorities and the fact the city's football team recently played a match attended by almost 100,000 spectators.
Mobile World Capital is similarly inviting guests to its annual Barcelona showcase. The foundation's CEO says the cancellation of MWC shouldn't divert the tech scene from its grand goals.
"We need to focus on the legacy. Barcelona is the capital, the mobile world capital. We must work not just the four days of the event. We must work all the year," says Carlos Grau.
"And think on the impact that technology is having on our society and leverage that. So, becoming the laboratory of 5G in Europe, becoming the place where large corporations and government will agree on the future of our society. Regarding humanism, regarding ethics, regarding social impact in our society."
Barcelona-based startup ByHours was one of the over 2,400 companies planning to exhibit at MWC this week.
The company helps travellers book short "micro stays" in hotels for three, six or twelve hours, helping them save up to 70 percent of the nightly rate in the process. Launched in 2012, the application now has over 250,000 users.
"We are really focused on the travelers. I mean, families or businesspeople that need hotels close to the airport, close to the main train stations in the city centre," says the company's CEO and founder, Guillermo Gaspart.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
