Speak Easy: Themes and advice for speaking at MWC and MAC

The GSMA has hosted its first annual briefing in which the content team shared with PR agencies the main themes for both Mobile World Congress and also Mobile Asia Congress (which this year takes place in Hong Kong on November 17 and 18).

Below, you can view the GSMA content team’s Powerpoint presentation from the session.

At both events, mobile apps will once again figure prominently in the agenda. One day of each conference will focus on app-related presentations, discussion panels, seminars and workshops.

In addition, Mobile Asia Congress will address important vertical growth markets, including mobile money, mHealth, mGovernment and mUtilities.

And for Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, expect the following topics to be high on the agenda:

  • Augmented reality
  • Mobile solutions for retail
  • Embedded
  • Advertising
  • Media and entertainment
  • Network capacity

Here are some of the GSMA’s key recommendations from today’s session:

  • Be original – the content team regularly attends other mobile industry conferences and events. They want new ideas and new topics for their events, so don’t submit an idea for a presentation that you’ve previously made at another event

  • Be newsworthy – having a news angle to include as part of your presentation increases its value, since the content team is keen to drive media to sessions. They’re happy to sign NDAs if your submission contains commercially sensitive or embargoed information

  • Avoid “Death by Powerpoint” - the GSMA is keen to make each and every session as exciting as possible, so anything that increases audience engagement will strengthen your submission. Think about how you can make your submission interactive with demos, new devices and video, for example

  • Speakers for the afternoon sessions don’t necessarily need to be C-level. Don’t be afraid to put forward a Vice-President or a Product Manager - as long as they are qualified on the subject and are a good speaker!

  • Ideas for panel sessions and their participants are always welcome, but keep it to three or four panelists only. And remember that it’s your responsibility to recruit, manage and deliver ALL your fellow panelists

  • The GSMA content team welcomes multiple submissions from companies with relevant experience and expertise where appropriate. However, making multiple submissions on ANY issue - however tenuous or vague in relation to your business - simply in an effort to boost your chances of success, will actually do more harm than good!

  • Conference moderators often advise the content team on which speakers and companies to invite to participate for particular sessions. Moderators tend to be journalists, analysts, industry consultants, and representatives from independent trade body representatives. Therefore, make sure that your company communicates and engages with these important influencers on an ongoing basis.

  • Submissions for both Mobile Asia Congress and Mobile World Congress are welcome – just make sure they’re different!