While Barcelona's economy continues to limp along, visitors for the MWC (world's most important mobile technology) enjoy the sun on the deck of the city's flagship W Hotel. Large international conferences like the MWC claim to bring jobs and revenue to host cities, critics however would claim otherwise.
Models showing off Chinese mobile phone company Huawei's newest smart watch at this year's MWC conference in Barcelona. They were given fake tattoos to wear with the logo of Huawei. This years conference is being held in one of the region's largest conference center built on the edge on one of the most foreclosed cities in Spain, lHospitalet.
Scene outside W Hotel, one of the venues used by multinational corporations to launch their new mobile devices. The contrast between luxury vehicles and half-built buildings seemed fitting in a conversation about the #spanishcrisis
Members of the press take notes during a presentation of Huawei's new mobile devices. The MWC (largest mobile industry conference in the world) brings more than 80,000 visitors to Barcelona this year. However it is up for debate what affect conferences like this have on local economies.
Often i think we forget that during economic crises, especially the current one, not everyone is a victim. A minute few are privileged to be part of a growing global hyper elite. This photo is dedicated to them. It was shot outside the W Hotel during an event held by Huawei mobile phones. I have no idea whether the subject is a member of the global elite, or even a participant in the event, but I think he makes a great symbol for the kind of system of privilege at the root of most modern economic crises... Entitlement... Plus the photo made me laugh.
#businessman watches a presentation at the World Mobile Conference in #Barcelona The week long conference brings more than 80,000 people to the city and was one of the principle motivating factors for the construction of the new conference center, part of a development project affecting much of the city of lHospitalet. Unfortunately many of the local residents are being pushed out as a result of rising house prices.
#businessman watches a presentation at the World Mobile Conference in #Barcelona The week long conference brings more than 80,000 people to the city and was one of the principle motivating factors for the construction of the new conference center, part of a development project affecting much of the city of lHospitalet. Unfortunately many of the local residents are being pushed out as a result of rising house prices.
Maxing and relaxing or in other words "working" at the #mwc in #Barcelona
An attendee of the #mwcbarcelona conference asks for information at the #spain desk.
A delegate of the #mwc checks her phone in one of many interior patios in #Barcelona 's Fira, its flagship international conference center. International mega-conferences have become an important part of the regions economic strategy. Millions of public funds were used to subsidize the project, however most of the jobs it has since created are temporal meaning the long term economic benefits for local communities are up for debate.
A street performer dressed as a #flamenco dancer stretches at the #mwcbarcelona . In the background businessmen smoke cigarettes between meetings.
A delegate takes a quick nap in between work meetings.
A representative of #Panasonic shows off one of their new products to a team of French journalists.
A delegate of #mwc15 eats lunch in the conference center's cafeteria. As the conference enters its second official day thousands of delegates scramble to get a glimpse of this year's newest gadgets.
A conference delegate at this years world mobile convention tests out new security technology at a South Korean company's booth. There are thousands of different companies and products on show this year. However given absence of the industry giant, Apple, many analysts have speculated about the convention's long term relevance.
A delegate checks his phone outside one of the conference's many private meeting spaces. Many of the year's large mergers and acquisitions, collaborations are initiated or announced here.
A maintenance work empties a garbage bin on the second floor of one of the conference's show booths. Companies spend up to hundreds of thousands of dollars on their booths in an effort to showcase new products.
Delegates at the #mwc15 meet during last days of the worlds largest mobile industry trade show.
A delegate at the #mwc15 prepares tea before a business meeting before the end of the congress.
A delegate of this year's #mwc15 reads his phone as he waits for the congress to finish up. Today is the last day of the event, and many delegates have already left. After a little less than 5 days of convention, it will take nearly double that time to take down all the stands and material used for show booths.
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