Barcelona, March 2025 – Organised by EAE Business School, this week we took part in the roundtable discussion “Barcelona Mobile World Congress 25 Reloaded”. Held in the Sala Mirador at the CCCB – offering 360º views over a theatrically moody, rain – soaked Barcelona skyline — the event brought together leading voices from the tech ecosystem to examine the impact and evolution of the Mobile World Congress (MWC).
The session was moderated by Juanjo Villalobos, Managing Director at Gettingcontacts — and the author of this piece — and featured contributions from Eduard Rosicart, Professor of Digital Marketing and Director of the Master’s Programme at EAE Business School (also organiser of the event); Eduard Martín Lineros, CEO of the Barcelona Mobile World Foundation; Esther Boneta Boix, Start-up Expert at Banc Sabadell; and Laura Gascón, an independent consultant in organization and management.
The discussion centered on the MWC’s role as a driver of economic, technological, and innovation-oriented networking, positioning Barcelona firmly on the global stage.
Key data points illustrating the event’s post-pandemic recovery were reviewed:
- In 2022, the MWC welcomed nearly 61,000 attendees, generating an economic impact of €240 million.
- By 2023, attendance had grown to 88,500 visitors from 202 countries, with over 2,400 exhibitors and an impact of €461 million.
- The 2024 edition surpassed 100,000 participants and €500 million in economic return.
- In 2025, the congress reached 109,000 attendees and an estimated impact of between €540 and €550 million figures that match or exceed the record highs of 2019 and set a new benchmark for the city.
Beyond the numerical overview, the conversation also explored new business models emerging around the event.
A central theme was the increasing prevalence of applied artificial intelligence — featured prominently across exhibitors, services, and solutions — signaling a shift in the MWC’s identity. The congress is now seen not only as a global hub for connectivity but also as a catalyst for digital transformation and corporate collaboration.
Once again, Barcelona has reaffirmed its position as Europe’s capital of technology and innovation. The roundtable provided a critical and strategic reflection on the future of the sector, offering a multidisciplinary and globally informed perspective.
EAE Business School’s organization of the event created a rigorous and enriching forum for debate.
