IFA CEO Leif Lindner lauded Barcelona as a global benchmark for technological integration and event organisation. After visiting this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), Lindner praised the Catalan capital’s approach, cementing the city’s reputation as a premier destination for innovation.

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Speaking to La Vanguardia, Lindner declared Barcelona “the model to follow of a city open to technology” due to its remarkable support for individuals, exhibitors, and organisers. His visit to the MWC, held at the sprawling Fira Gran Via venue in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, left a lasting impression.

“I saw how professionally this is organised and I was really impressed,” Lindner stated, drawing a comparison with his home city. “In Berlin, we are a technology city, the second-largest location for startups in Europe, but this was on another level.”

A Rival’s Endorsement

Lindner’s praise carries significant weight, as he leads an event with a century-long history. Founded as the Internationale Funkausstellung (International Radio Exhibition), the German trade fair celebrated its centenary two years ago. To reflect the digital age, its name has since evolved to ‘Innovation For All’, signalling a broader mission beyond consumer electronics.

“We are now focusing more on digital health and beauty technology. We are looking at mobility. We are looking at the smart home,” Lindner explained. This strategic pivot into rapidly growing sectors responds to changing consumer landscapes. It also highlights why events like Barcelona’s MWC and its startup-focused offshoot, 4YFN, are so influential, with local firms making significant headway in these exact fields. In fact, a recent Barna.News report noted how Spain’s health tech sector shone brightly at this year’s 4YFN.

The success of the MWC is evident not just in its scale but also in its commercial momentum. He affirmed, “If I were an exhibitor, I would want to secure my space for next year. I would have to book it while here, because when the fair ends, 95% is already booked, and that is very professional.”

The Fira Factor: Enabling World-Class Events

The city’s infrastructure, particularly the Fira de Barcelona‘s venues, was a key factor in Lindner’s assessment. The Fira Gran Via, one of Europe’s largest and most modern exhibition centres, continues to expand its capacity to meet demand. The recent completion of the skeleton for its new Hall Zero testifies to this commitment, forming part of a major expansion project that underscores Barcelona’s dedication to hosting world-class events. As Barna.News previously detailed, the €300m Hall Zero expansion represents a significant investment in the city’s future as an events hub.

This commitment from institutions like the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya underpins the city’s success. It fosters an environment where technology is not just showcased but actively integrated, from public services to a thriving business ecosystem that encourages investment and open-source collaboration.

“Our goal is to translate what [technology] means for people, because they don’t care about the technology behind it, but the use they give it in their daily life to make it easier.”Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA

Suggestions for MWC’s Evolution

Reflecting on the future, Lindner offered MWC a piece of constructive advice: incorporate a consumer-facing element. He suggested, “What I would recommend is an area for consumers, to have the atmosphere of the people who use the product, not just the people who sell it.” This aligns with IFA’s philosophy of making complex innovations, such as Artificial Intelligence in autonomous cars and smart homes, understandable and accessible to the public, thus fulfilling its ‘Innovation for All’ promise.

Lindner’s high praise serves as a powerful external validation of Barcelona’s long-term strategy, confirming its standing not just as a host, but as a global leader in the technology ecosystem.