3GSM Congress Moves to Barcelona

Barcelona will be the new home to the 3GSM World Congress beginning in 2006, ending a ten-year stint in Cannes, France. Officials released a statement Tuesday that said the group needed more convention and conference space than its Cannes location could provide, making a move necessary.

"As our industry has grown to serve more than a billion people, the scale and scope of Congress has increased equally dramatically," GSM Association CEO Rob Conway explained. The new location, the Fira de Barcelona, will provide twice the convention space and the capacity needed for the 40,000 some visitors annually the GSMA expects over the next several years.

Barcelona officials told the media that having the conference in the city was a key goal in the city's future plans.

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

The final 3GSM World Congress in Cannes will take place from February 14-17, 2005.