It’s February again, which means it’s almost time for the wireless industry’s biggest event – Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona! This year promises to be extra special as we look ahead to a wider 5G rollout and greater adoption of private networks. If you’re involved in enterprise mobility, private networks, or 5G, you won’t want to miss MWC 2024.
I’ll be attending again this year and highly recommend you join me. As the co-founder of PrivateLTEand5G.com and KAIROS Pulse, I’m especially interested in the latest on private network deployment. If you’re exploring private network options or have an existing deployment, I’d love to meet and compare notes. Let’s discuss the latest trends, share experiences, and explore the future of private networks together. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or schedule a time with me: Meet Me at MWC Barcelona 2024.
How to Have a Successful Show
With over 100,000 attendees from nearly 200 countries, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at MWC Barcelona. However, with some strategic planning and execution, you can have a productive and successful event. Here are some tips:
- Before the show, clearly define what success looks like with your team. Consider metrics like the number of demos delivered, customer meetings held, media coverage secured, new relationships built, etc. Align goals across functions like sales, marketing, and product management.
- Study the floor map and layout ahead of time. Identify where your booth is located relative to competitors, partners, and potential customers. Have a plan to walk the floor efficiently and make targeted visits.
- Determine who needs to be onsite – and their roles – based on your goals. Balance subject matter experts to deliver demos with relationship builders to network. Avoid having too many idle staffers chatting amongst themselves.
- Fill your calendar with customer meetings for demos and discussions. Don’t count on foot traffic alone. Reach out to connections pre-show to lock in 30-minute slots.
- Interview visitors and capture organic video testimonials. Ask for quick reactions to demos and experiences rather than overly produced endorsements. Share these clips post-show to tell your story.
- Create a detailed lead list and have sales follow up within days after the event. Review messaging and collateral based on learnings. Thank staff and partners who contributed behind the scenes.
Events I Hope to See You At
In addition to walking the exhibition floor and networking, I strongly recommend attending some of the headlining private network sessions:
- MANUFACTURING SUMMIT – SCALING UP: IS MANUFACTURING READY TO FULLY EMBRACE PRIVATE WIRELESS?
This session dives deep into the potential of private networks to transform manufacturing. Explore industry adoption, discuss hurdles and opportunities, and gain insights from leading experts. Tuesday in Hall 4.
- FWA: SCALING THE SUCCESS
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is closely linked to private networks, and the number of FWA connections is soaring globally. This session explores its role in expanding reach and scaling success, providing valuable perspectives for deployment strategies. Tuesday in Hall 6.
- 5G VS. WI-FI: WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY NEED FOR SCALABLE, REAL PRIVATE WIRELESS?
We need both, but still, the debate rages on. This session pits 5G against Wi-Fi, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses while identifying the optimal solution for building robust private networks. Wednesday in Hall 6.
- TO GO PRIVATE OR TO SLICE?
Is a fully private network the only answer? This provocative session explores network slicing as an alternative, offering valuable insights for making informed decisions. Thursday in Hall 6.
These sessions will cover critical questions about adoption challenges, Wi-Fi versus 5G options, and private networks versus network slicing decisions. Expect great panel discussions and audience Q&A.
Additionally, I am moderating an OnGo Alliance-sponsored session: “Public to Private Networks with Shared Spectrum and OnGo,” with panelists from Federated Wireless, MultiTech, and JMA Wireless. I hope to see you there on Wednesday, February 28, at noon, in Hall 5, Stand 5D65.
Enjoy Yourself!
Barcelona is a fantastic city and well worth exploring if you can extend your trip. But the MWC schedule is jam-packed, so be sure to plan some downtime to recharge. The evening parties can be tempting to overindulge! Pace yourself, and don’t forget to capture key takeaways and new connections made. The best events lead to year-round conversations and business growth.
MWC 2024 Barcelona offers a unique opportunity to navigate the world of private networks. Join me, Ashish Jain, as we explore the possibilities, navigate the challenges, and shape the future of connectivity together.
P.S. Don’t forget to follow PrivateLTEand5G.com for ongoing updates and insights on the event. See you in Barcelona!
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