Whether you’re a tech-savvy consumer interested in the latest innovation or an industry professional interested in learning about the future of the mobile ecosystem – Mobile World Congress Shanghai has something for you. GSMA Mobile World Congress Shanghai, which will be held 28 June – 1 July 2017 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). The Mobile World Congress Shanghai conference program will run for three days and will be held in Hall W3 of SNIEC.
In addition to the keynote sessions, the conference incorporates 12 focused summits that will explore the latest industry trends, from connected cars to network evolution to augmented reality/virtual reality and more. The Easy Engineering team talked to Doris Pang, Event Director at GSMA, for more information about this year’s Mobile World Shanghai highlights.
Easy Engineering: What does MWC Shanghai 2017 have in store for us (new products, innovations etc.)?
Doris Pang: We are continually working to expand and enhance our attendees’ experience at Mobile World Congress Shanghai. Along with the event favorites such as the Innovation City which attendees will be immersed in technology-led experiences from home to office, from connected cars to global transport logistics. The VR & AR Zone will demonstrate a variety of the latest life-like virtual reality experiences. The Future Retail Zone will present a unique futuristic shopping experience shopping experience where attendees can pick up what they want and purchase the item automatically upon walking out without the hassle of queuing and checkouts. The GSMA will also host its first drone-racing tournament, with pilots from across China demonstrating their skills in “first person view” flying. In addition, there are feature areas in the exhibition areas that showcasing the latest mobile devices and gadgets, health, sports, lifestyle and entertainment products and innovative technologies.
E.E: Which are the main companies that will be participating this year?
D.P: We are expecting more than 650 companies participating this year, confirmed exhibitors include Alibaba, AsiaInfo, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, CITIC International Telecom, Datang Telecom, Ericsson, Fiberhome Technology, HTC, Huawei, PayPal, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, Toyota, Visa, Volkswagen, ZTE and among others. For the full list of exhibitors, please visit www.mwcshanghai.com/exhibition/2017-exhibitors/.
E.E: Which are the predominant countries participating at the show (exhibitors as well as visitors)?
D.P: We are expecting exhibitors, visitors and speakers from over 100 regions around the world. According to the previous events, we will have relatively more visitors from the Asia Pacific regions including China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and among others. The event will also attract visitors from Europe and the Americas. The event has a number of regional pavilions including Germany, Korea, Israel, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and among others.
E.E: What are your expectations regarding this year’s MWC Shanghai?
D.P: We are expecting more than 65,000 attendees, 650 participating companies, the 2017 edition of Mobile World Congress Shanghai is shaping up to be our most ambitious event, with an expanded exhibition and programmes, events and activities showcasing the full breadth of mobile lifestyles.
We have increased the footprint of Mobile World Congress Shanghai from four to seven halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), including an “Industry Exhibition” which target business users and will be opened on 28-30 June. There will be also a four-day “Experience Exhibition” that showcases mobile devices, gadgets, innovative technologies and entertainment for consumers and families that will be opened 28 June – 1 July including Saturday.
E.E: What would you like to say to companies and visitors who may be thinking of participating at MWC Shanghai?
D.P: Companies and visitors that will be attending Mobile World Congress Shanghai will be excited to participate in the most extensive event in Asia with many new event features and programs for business attendees and consumers alike. It truly showcases the power of mobile and its impact in our everyday lives which echo our theme “The Human Element”.