Our tips on securing a speaker slot at Mobile World Congress

Be visionary

Speaking at Mobile World Congress is about new ideas and fresh thinking. Delegates come to Barcelona to hear new perspectives and discuss the future direction of the mobile industry. They want to hear about new concepts, innovative new technologies, and pioneering new approaches that are set to change the way they do business.

So think ahead. And not just 6-12 months either; think 12-24 months ahead. Is your pitch visionary enough, original enough, and exciting enough to capture your audience’s imagination?

Be relevant

The GSM Association organises the conference so that each day explores different top-level themes drawn from across the industry.

Remember, Mobile World Congress is about the industry and the many issues affecting it. It’s not about you and your company hawking your new product or service.

So draw up a list of topics that you feel strongly about, and which are relevant to your organisation. Check the conference schedule that the GSMA produces in May, and see where your preferred topics link to the industry issues that the GSMA wants to address.

Be controversial

As we said, a speaker slot is not a sales pitch and it’s not a corporate presentation. Delegates invest time and money to visit Congress and see intelligent and informed speakers express new ideas and fresh perspectives on important industry issues.

Why would people pay to see you and your company speak? What do you have to say that’s challenging and different? What will make your peers in the industry sit up and pay attention to your views and ideas?

Be visible

You should not regard the GSMA’s official call for papers as a single, standalone task. Instead, approach it as part of a wider, ongoing programme of engagement with an important group of influencers.

The GSMA content team works the entire year to understand the market. They investigate emerging trends in the market, research hot new companies and game-changing technologies. In so doing, they can identify potential speakers who can make an impact at Congress and make a lasting and positive contribution to the conference.

The team consumes and processes information from leading analyst houses, traditional and social media and also independent consultants. Do you have the necessary profile in the industry to make it on to their radar?

Bring a friend

In the face of the intense competition for conference spaces, you substantially improve chances of submission success if you can bring along a blue chip partner for a joint presentation.

Whether it’s a mobile operator, a handset maker, or a heavyweight brand from the IT or Internet community, having a big industry name prepared to stand up on stage next to you will add weight and provide a major boost to your submission.

Bringing a major player to the table as a partner gives your presentation added cache and impact. It endorses your viewpoint, gives you credibility, and shows that somebody influential believes in the vision that you want to impart at Congress.

Similarly, why not propose an idea for a discussion panel - then suggest a recommended panel of members (along with yourself) who you can get to attend. It helps the content team do their job, and again boosts your chances of making it on to the conference line-up.

And finally... share something new

Mobile World Congress has become the global mobile industry’s single biggest news event. Hundreds of journalists, bloggers and analysts attend the conference sessions.

The GSMA needs its conference sessions to feature newsworthy content, exciting ideas and fresh developments – all delivered by engaging and highly quotable industry figures. What original thinking or ground-breaking industry progress will you announce if you get that speaker slot?

The GSMA call for speakers is now live. You can check it out here.

So, do you want to speak at Mobile World Congress? If so, speak to us...email us here and let’s talk about how we can help get you on-stage and in the spotlight in Barcelona.