Barcelona, here I come!

If you work in the mobile industry, this time of year is likely to be your busiest few weeks. The world of mobile - everything from infrastructure to apps to connected cars and smart cities - descends on Barcelona for Mobile World Congress. The exhibition and conference attracts over 100,000 visitors over 4 days and, I believe, is the biggest trade show in Europe.

I'll be attending for the 13th time. I'm hoping that's my lucky number... we'll see! And every year I organise and host a few events. This year, I'm hosting some private client events and two public ones. They are the ladies lunch on Monday 26 February at the fabulous Quinto Quinta https://ladiesatmwc2018.eventbrite.co.uk and the annual Swedish Beers Mobile Networking party on Wednesday night http://swedishbeers.org . If you're going to be in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, please join us!

If it's your first time heading to Barcelona for #MWC18, I have a few tips...

Wear comfortable shoes and socks. You'll be walking for miles and miles in and between the 8 exhibition halls. It's easy to cover 20km or more each day. Your feet will thank you for looking after them.

Hydrate regularly. And eat regularly. I recommend taking your food and water with you. There are always queues at the cafes and they're overpriced and the quality and taste of the food can be below par. You will get coffee and water at some of the exhibition stands but there may be queues there too.

Wear layers. It can be warm during the day and the temperature can drop rapidly at night.

Watch out for thieves and pickpockets. They operate at the exhibition and all over the city. They are especially prevalent during MWC week. The police do a good job of keeping it in check, but the sheer volume of people means that theft is an inevitability for some. So be careful with your cash and cards. If you're wearing a handbag, make it a shoulder bag and keep it on you even when eating in a restaurant. Don't put it on the floor at your feet or hang it off your chair. If you have a bag, make sure it has a zip closure and keep it fastened. Don't carry loads of cash on you. Limit your phone usage on the street. Keep your MWC badge hidden outside of the exhibition.

Take full advantage of the networking outside of the event. There are lots of parties and dinners going on. Find out about them via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Eventbrite, MeetUp etc. This is where a lot of deals happen. You never know who you may be chatting to in a bar at 2 in the morning. It could be your next investor, partner or client.

Pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It's really easy to peak too soon! Lurgies are commonplace throughout the event too so take care of your immune system.

And enjoy! It's a great week. Barcelona is a fabulous city with delicious food, beautiful views, great architecture, amazing art, delicious cava (it's made in the region) and the sea. It's worth taking some time out to take in some of the sights of the city.