Executives from HBO, Nokia, Samsung, Sprint and the LA Department of Transportation to Keynote; Sponsors, Additional Participating Companies, Exhibitors and Programs AnnouncedAtlanta: The GSMA announced the first confirmed speakers for the second Mobile World Congress Americas taking place September 12-14, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The GSMA also released additional details for the Americas event today, including new programs, exhibitors and sponsors.
For the first time in history, the leading entertainment city in the world will be the main stage for a mobile industry event of this magnitude - Mobile World Congress Americas will put the spotlight on the intersection of mobile with content, media and entertainment, said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. There are now more than 5 billion mobile subscribers globally and mobile connects nearly everything in our lives - including content, media and entertainment. As technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain and others go mainstream, mobile will further transform the media and entertainment experience as we know it today.
Leading Executives in Content, Media and Mobile to Keynote
The GSMA announced that global leaders from across the mobile communications and media and entertainment industries are among the first keynote speakers confirmed for Mobile World Congress Americas, including:
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises and Chairman, GSMA
Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO, CTIA
Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA
Richard Plepler, Chairman and CEO, HBO
Seleta Reynolds, General Manager, Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation
Rajeev Suri, President and CEO, Nokia
Tim Baxter, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics North America
Marcelo Claure, CEO, Sprint and Chairman, CTIA
In addition to the keynote program, the Mobile World Congress Americas agenda includes 12 focused conferences with 43 track sessions revolving around five major event themes:
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the most complex, inclusive and automated revolution our society has seen, with mobile at its epicenter. This theme will focus on the transformative technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, blockchain and others driving the exponential pace of this technological shift;
Government and Public Policy led by CTIA, the Everything Policy track consists of robust panel discussions with leading policymakers and industry experts focused on key wireless policy issues, offering a unique opportunity to learn about how the decisions of the U.S. Administration, Congress and the Federal Communications Commission on spectrum, infrastructure and regulatory policy will affect investment and innovation in wireless services.
Innovation will examine the disruptive technologies that are redefining the industry, with a particular focus on how artificial intelligence will transform entire industries in the next 10-15 years;
Media and Entertainment will address the need for instant, seamless and cross-platform access to content and services and the role of network operators in delivering these experiences; and
Networks will discover new frontiers in mobile connectivity, accessibility and innovation.
Conference track sessions will explore leading trends and technologies including 5G, AI, augmented reality (AR), blockchain, IoT, connected vehicles, sports and entertainment, and much more. Executives and industry experts confirmed to speak in the conferences include:
Edith Yeung, Partner, 500 Startups
Andre Fuetsch, President AT&T Labs and Chief Technology Officer, AT&T
Sangeeta Chakraborty, Chief Customer Officer, Ayasdi
Alex Manea, Chief Security Officer, Blackberry
Dr. Derek Peterson, CTO, Boingo Wireless
Fred Santarpia, Chief Digital Officer, Cond Nast
Gunjan Bhow, SVP and GM of Digital, Disney
Erik Ekudden, Group CTO, Ericsson
Michelle Klein, Senior Marketing Director, Facebook
Terry Hickey, Global Leader, Cognitive & Analytics, IBM
Jonathan Perelman, Head of Digital Ventures, ICM Partners
Caroline Chan, VP, Network Platforms Group and General Manager, 5G Infrastructure Division, Intel
George Mathew, CEO, Kespry
SC Moatti, Founder, Mighty Capital
Dr. John Saw, CTO, Sprint
Neville Ray, CTO, T-Mobile
Molly Battin, EVP, Global Chief Communications and Corporate Marketing Officer, Turner
John Curbishley, SVP, Distribution Strategy and Operations, Viacom
Amy Karr, Co-founder and CEO, Ventus Advisors
For more information on the Mobile World Congress Americas conference program, visit: www.mwcamericas.com/conference-programs.
4YFN Returns to the Americas
The 4YFN (Four Years from Now) Startup Event returns to Mobile World Congress Americas with over 200 participating startup, investor and corporate organizations. Located in the LACC's West Hall, the 4YFN program offers unique activities such as inspirational keynote talks, open innovation pitch presentations, accelerator programs, community outreach opportunities and custom networking activities. For the latest information on 4YFN activities, visit: www.mwcamericas.com/experiences/4yfn.
Women4Tech Speakers Announced
Spanning the three days of Mobile World Congress Americas, the Women4Tech program will kick off with a speed coaching and networking session a 4YFN panel discussion on Wednesday, September 12, followed by the Women4Tech Summit on Thursday, September 13. In the Summit, senior-level speakers will highlight leading practices and creative solutions to increase diversity in the workplace. Confirmed speakers participating in the broad Women4Tech program include:
Ivo Lukas, Founder and CEO, 24Notion
Susanne Birgersdotter, Entrepreneur and Investor
Mondy Herndon, VP, Direct to Consumer and Digital, The Honest C
