Lenovo Skips MWC 2024: No In-Person Presence

Major Tech Companies Opt Out of In-Person MWC Barcelona

Following Samsung’s recent announcement, Lenovo, the parent company of Motorola, has also confirmed its decision to abstain from attending the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona in person. TechCrunch received confirmation of this development.

Event Details and Lenovo’s Participation

The MWC Barcelona event is currently scheduled to take place from June 28th to July 1st. Lenovo will, however, be participating in the event’s virtual partner program.

This decision mirrors Samsung’s strategy, prioritizing a fully virtual presence over maintaining a physical booth at the conference.

Growing List of Absent Companies

This move isn’t unexpected, echoing the situation observed last year as numerous companies began to withdraw before the event’s ultimate cancellation. Despite plans for a physical presence this year, a significant number of tech leaders are choosing to forgo in-person attendance.

Companies that have already confirmed their absence include Google, IBM, Nokia, Sony, Oracle, and Ericsson.

Remaining Exhibitors and LG’s Situation

The official MWC exhibitor list still includes several key hardware manufacturers, such as ZTE, Xiaomi, and LG. However, LG’s recent announcement of its exit from the smartphone market adds a layer of complexity to their participation.

GSMA’s Response

In response to Samsung’s initial announcement, the GSMA, the governing body of MWC, stated that they respected the challenges of planning during a pandemic. They anticipate Samsung’s return to an in-person presence at MWC in 2022.

A similar response is anticipated for Lenovo and other companies opting for virtual participation this year. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Impact on MWC’s Return to Normalcy

These announcements represent a substantial setback for MWC’s aspirations of a limited return to normalcy. Ongoing travel restrictions and the continued global pandemic are contributing factors.

Given the current global health situation, the caution exercised by these companies is understandable.

Lenovo’s decision, alongside others, highlights the ongoing challenges of hosting large-scale, international events during a pandemic.