Tech Show Canceled by Coronavirus Asks For Financial Solidarity
- GSMA asking companies to bear own costs after canceling show
- Cancellation of MWC a ‘huge financial downturn’ for Barcelona
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The decision to cancel a show like Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which attracts more than 100,000 participants from all over the world, wasn’t easy. And the organization behind it is now asking for participants from the tech and telecom industries to band together to absorb the financial losses.
Companies had already spent money on booths and tickets, and the GSMA, the industry body that runs the show, said it’s still too early to give clarity on what, if anything, could be refunded. Many of the firms had also already booked hotels and flights, which was due to run from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27 before concerns about the spread of the coronavirus caused organizers to pull the plug on Wednesday.