03 September 2009

Nokia Will Probably Not Attending
The World's Biggest Cell-Phone Trade Show

Although we have yet to hear any official word from the from the Nokia itself, Mobile Entertainment reported on Thursday that Nokia will not be exhibiting at the next year's Mobile World Congress.

Nokia told to Mobile Ent’s Tim Green that its increasing focus on marketing directly to consumers and therefore it’s hardly worthwhile to attend at expensive trade-only show.

For this reason Nokia will not have its usual glitzy stand at the MWC Barcelona trade show in February, although it is likely to arrange some kind of off-site event like the Sony Ericsson did last year by holding an event the night before the show began.

In the internet age trade shows are still very viable marketing activities for many companies to build relationships, to gain leads for media, exposure and ultimately increase sales and therefore Nokia’s decision not to attend at the world's biggest cell-phone trade show is kind surprising.

Nokia's absence will not please the GSMA, especially as it may stiffen the resolve of other smaller exhibitors to stay away from a pretty expensive show. Last year, there were noticeably fewer exhibitors than in previous years, MWC 2009 attracted 47,000 visitors to Barcelona compared with about 55,000 in 2008.

The decision does not extend to Nokia Siemens Networks, which will exhibit as normal.

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.:[ Mobile World Congress ]:.

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