Barcelona to Host 3GSM World Congress From 2006

Barcelona to Host 3GSM World Congress From 2006

LONDON, December 21/PRNewswire/ --

- World's Leading Mobile Showcase to Move From Cannes to Barcelona



Barcelona will be the new host city for the 3GSM World
Congress from 2006, announced the GSM Association (GSMA) today. The world's
largest annual mobile communications conference and exhibition will bid
farewell to Cannes at the close of next year's event (14-17 February 2005).



"With its unique ambiance, Cannes has been an outstanding host over the
last decade: indeed, it has become synonymous with the Congress," said Rob
Conway, CEO and Board Member of the GSM Association. "As our industry has
grown to serve more than a billion people, the scale and scope of Congress
has increased equally dramatically."



Relocation comes in response to rising attendance and growing demand for
exhibition and conferencing space when Cannes has reached full capacity. In
2004, the 3GSM World Congress attracted more than 600 exhibitors, over 28,000
visitors, 4,600 conference delegates, and nearly 1,000 media.



Accessibility, hotel accommodation, the scale and quality of
exhibition space and associated services, public transport infrastructure,
overall cost of attending and the appeal to visitors of the host city were
among the many criteria considered by the GSMA and its conference partner,
Informa Telecoms & Media.



The venue selected for 2006, the Fira de Barcelona, offers nearly 100%
more space than Cannes and delivers the capacity required to accommodate the
40,000 visitors expected annually within the next few years.



"The fact that the City will host a wireless communications event of the
calibre of the 3GSM World Congress is very important in positioning Barcelona
at the heart of the information society," said Jordi Portabella, Second
Deputy Mayor, Barcelona City Council.



As the global trade association representing mobile operators
in more than 200 countries, The GSMA is uniquely placed to provide a forum
where the mobile industry's most influential players can come together to
discuss the future of wireless communications. Its annual Leadership Summit -
the industry's strategy-setting gathering of CEOs - takes place on the eve of
the Congress while its annual awards ceremony recognizing the latest
innovations is another highlight of Congress week.



"Barcelona has superb conference, business and service
facilities and the state-of-the-art communications and transport
infrastructure expected of a dynamic, world-leading city with a rich
cosmopolitan culture, heritage and lifestyle. With the fantastic support we
have received from the Town Council, the Catalonian Government, Turisme de
Barcelona, the city's hotel and restaurant associations and the Fira itself,
we can raise the 3GSM World Congress experience to a completely new level for
all exhibitors and visitors," said Conway.



About 3GSM World Congress 2005 - 14-17 February



Organised by the GSM Association and Informa Telecoms & Media,
the 3GSM World Congress is the world's leading mobile communications
conference and exhibition.



Held annually since 1987 and in Cannes, France, since 1996,
the event attracted more than 28,000 visitors, from 173 countries with over
4,600 conference delegates, more than 600 exhibitors and 1000 media in 2004.



For full details of the Conference and Exhibition, or to
register for the 2005 Congress on-line, please visit
www.3gsmworldcongress.com



Media Accreditation: applications from qualified journalists
for media accreditation can be made via the website.



About the GSM Association



Please visit: http://www.gsmworld.com/news/boilerplate.html



Source: GSM Association

Ian Volans, Communications Manager, GSM Association, T: +44-(0)7956-505-690, E: press@gsm.org; Kevin Taylor / Alex Sowden, Companycare Communications, T: +44-(0)118-939-5900, E: kevin.taylor@companycare.com / alex.sowden@companycare.com


-------
Profile: intent