The Internet of Things Consortium (IoTC), the premier business development association for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, today applauded the companies pulling out of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona for their dedication to keeping employees safe in light of the potential coronavirus pandemic. Undoubtedly triggering a chain reaction that resulted in the first-ever cancellation of the biggest mobile phone show on earth, these companies remind us that even in an increasingly digital, AI world, humans still come first.
“This is an unfortunate and unprecedented outcome,” says IoTC Founder Greg Kahn. “Companies across the globe and the City of Barcelona prepare year-round for this event, which provides tremendous networking opportunities not to mention the excitement of seeing firsthand some of the latest technologies coming to market. But, I think it’s important to remember that small, concentrated ecosystem partner events are equally as important if not a more cost-effective and sustainable model moving forward.”
The MWC was scheduled to commence on February 24, with approximately 100,000 delegates from about 200 countries across the four days of the conference. On Wednesday, the event organizer GSMA was forced to cancel this year’s show after more than 40 companies pulled out due to health and safety concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Numerous reports suggest this represents a significant loss to participants, Barcelona’s hospitality and business community and GSMA, which may bear enormous costs already incurred from planning alone.
“There may be some good to come from this after the dust settles,” adds Kahn. “It may be the catalyst that drives more frequent and more intimate relationship building among businesses. That’s not to say these big shows are not worth their weight in gold. That’s like saying companies won’t get value from attending the Super Bowl. People from all industries and all walks of life still appreciate these spectacular experiences, and this is certainly one of them. But we should not lose sight of the smaller things that incrementally add up to be priceless as well, for business and beyond.”
Since 2016, the IoTC has united the most powerful and influential executives at a succession of meetings and VIP events. The leading association advancing consumer and industrial IoT, consortium members form strategic partnerships, share knowledge and best practices to help educate consumers and the broader business community while tackling industry roadblocks for IoT products and services to cross the chasm of early adoption to mass market. In 2019, IoTC took this to another level with the launch of IoTC NEXT: The Connected Future Summit, where brand executives, technology leaders, investors and top media committed to the development, integration and implementation of connected technology came together in New York City to share experiences and new ideas, build impactful partnerships, spur creativity and ignite the growth of the IoT marketplace in five key verticals: connected homes, autos, cities, retail and wearables.
For more information about IoTC, visit www.iofthings.org.
About the Internet of Things Consortium
The Internet of Things Consortium (IoTC) is the premier business development association for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. It is comprised of executives, leading founders and global companies in IoT. The IoTC’s mission is to ignite the growth of the IoT marketplace by leading the industry’s effort through strategic partnerships. The organization focuses on five key verticals: connected homes, autos, cities, retail and wearables. To learn more, please visit www.iofthings.org, IoTC NEXT: The Connected Future Summit, and follow us @iotconsortium and on LinkedIn.
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