Once again as the end of February arrived, so too a tidal wave of colour, sound, excitement and the very latest in mobile technology washed over Barcelona.
Between 25 and 28 February, the city played host to Mobile World Congress, and the seventy-thousand people that descended, on mass, to identify and experience the very latest innovations in mobile and communications technology from amongst a sea of exhibiting companies.
Following on from the huge success of 2012, this year the Israel Pavilion was bigger, brighter and better than ever before. For many years now, Israel has boasted a reputation as a world leader in technological innovation, with particular acclaim being received in the field of communications and mobile high-tech.
However, this year, the Israel Pavilion exhibited more companies and more technologies than ever before, pre-registered more one-to-one meetings than ever before and generated a tangibly greater interest than ever before.
With over 70 Israeli companies exhibiting in the Israel Pavilion, the Trade and Economic Office in London was on hand to assist in the organisation of nearly 2000 pre-scheduled meetings between those Israeli companies and key business leaders and investors from the UK. Representatives from companies such as Accenture, Gemalto, Facebook, OMD, and Sony had all pre-scheduled various meetings before the start of MWC.
During MWC there was more good news for Israel as Waze, an Israeli navigation and traffic congestion app, was named as Best Mobile App after beating off competition from the likes of file-hosting service, Dropbox, the personalized news magazine, Flipboard, and the electronic payment service, Square.
Overall, the feedback from exhibitors and visitors at the pavilion was extremely positive, with particular mention being given to the relevancy of introductions between Israeli technologies and potential partner companies from around the world.
One such comment came from WiseSec, an advanced mobile platform and micro-locations solutions company, who exhibited at MWC for the first time this year. Asaf Toledano, WiseSec’s VP for Business Development said that “The professionalism and dedication of your team, the great blend of meetings with high-profile companies from all relevant geographies and sectors, the warm hospitality towards our team and guests, and the well-organized manner left me with a feeling of great appreciation. We will definitely be exhibiting again with you!”