FLIR Systems Completes Strategic Investment in Providence Photonics, LLC

Investment Provides Exclusive Access to Providence Photonics’ Industry-Leading Gas Quantification Software Products


ARLINGTON, Va.-Thursday 5 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) and Providence Photonics, LLC announced today that FLIR has made a strategic investment in Providence Photonics, developers of advanced software used to quantify invisible gas emissions using FLIR Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras.

Providence Photonics specializes in the development and utilization of advanced technology in the field of optical gas imaging while tackling some of the industry’s most challenging environmental and safety problems. Using patented technology, advanced computer vision techniques, and state-of-the-art infrared imagers, they create solutions for several applications, including leak quantification, leak survey validation, autonomous remote leak detection, and flare combustion efficiency monitoring.

As part of the strategic investment, FLIR will gain exclusive access to certain elements of Providence Photonics’ intellectual property, while helping to expand FLIR Systems’ set of offerings to its oil and gas industry customers. The companies will work to deploy Providence Photonics’ quantification algorithms in current and future FLIR OGI cameras and digital services.

“Our investment in Providence Photonics represents another example of our evolution from solely being a leading sensor company to one that adds decision support to create intelligent sensing solutions,” said Frank Pennisi, President of the Industrial Business Unit at FLIR. “This investment enables to us to better serve our existing Oil and Gas industry customers who rely on our optical gas imaging technology to improve efficiency and safety, while ensuring compliance with methane mitigation regulations.”

About FLIR Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1978, FLIR Systems is a world-leading industrial technology company focused on intelligent sensing solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. FLIR Systems’ vision is to be “The World’s Sixth Sense,” creating technologies to help professionals make more informed decisions that save lives and livelihoods. For more information, please visit www.flir.com and follow @flir.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” and “believes” and similar words and expressions and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections based, in part, on potentially inaccurate assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and FLIR does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191203005237/en/

Contacts

Media Contact:
Tim McDowd
FLIR Systems, Inc.
Phone: 503-498-3146
Email: tim.mcdowd@flir.com

Investor Relations:
Lasse Glassen
Addo Investor Relations
Phone: 424-238-6249
Email: lglassen@addoir.com


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Global Research Shows AI to Shape Technology Landscape of 2020s, But Unintended Consequences Pose Big Risks

 ISACA marks 50th anniversary by surveying 5,000+ tech pros on the next decade of tech



SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Thursday 5 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, automation and humans is expected to create promising opportunities in the tech workforce while simultaneously presenting sobering concerns for the general public, according to new ISACA research sizing up the tech landscape of the 2020s.

ISACA’s Next Decade of Tech: Envisioning the 2020s survey of more than 5,000 business technology professionals comes during ISACA’s 50th anniversary year as the global professional association continues its commitment to helping its members navigate the future of technology. The research shows that respondents are significantly more optimistic about how technology advancements in the new decade will impact their career (59%) than they are about how it will impact society as a whole (40%).

From a workplace standpoint, respondents are optimistic that technological sea changes will both position their organizations for success and bolster their paychecks:

    Nearly 9 in 10 respondents (87%) say AI/machine learning will have a major or moderate impact on enterprises’ profitability.
    Fifty-eight percent expect that the evolving technology landscape will result in pay increases for tech professionals.

Most technology roles are expected to be recalibrated by AI and increased integration of technology in the workplace, with 93% of respondents expecting an augmented workforce—or people, robots and AI working closely together—to reshape how some or most jobs are performed.

“The pace of technology-driven change will continue to accelerate, so it’s more important than ever to be always learning,” said ISACA CEO David Samuelson. “Both as individuals and in our companies, we will need new skills and frameworks to be equipped to navigate the inevitable change ahead. As the next decade quickly approaches, our human potential, combined with these advancing technologies, will ensure an era of positive technology breakthroughs, and a future where we all thrive.”

AI’s Potential Pitfalls Counterbalance Enthusiasm

While AI/machine learning is identified as the most important enterprise technology of the next decade, followed by cloud platforms and big data, only 50% of respondents think it is likely or very likely enterprises will give the ethical ramifications of AI deployments sufficient attention.

Whether through malicious or errant uses of AI, the potential consequences of misuse could be severe, with respondents most concerned about AI attacks involving:

    Critical infrastructure (73%)
    Social engineering (58%)
    Autonomous weapons (56%)
    Attacks targeting the healthcare sector (56%)
    Data poisoning (55%)

Additional notable findings from ISACA’s Next Decade of Tech research include:

    Cybersecurity skills gap remains problematic. Only 18% of respondents expect the cybersecurity skills gap to be mostly or entirely filled in the new decade.
    Rise of digital natives will change enterprise culture. As digital natives, or those who grew up with mainstream digital technology, increasingly ascend into leadership positions, 72% of respondents expect cybersecurity will become a higher priority for enterprises while 56% say enterprises will become more proactive about deploying emerging technologies.
    Many everyday activities could be phased out. Respondents expect technological innovations of the new decade to make several routine activities and necessities less commonplace, including using cash (75%), physical keys (60%), physical IDs/boarding passes (58%) and going to physical office locations (58%). Respondents are more mixed about the future of autonomous vehicles, with 48% saying it is likely or very likely that driverless cars become mainstream by the end of the decade.

For more resources related to this research, visit www.isaca.org/next-decade-of-tech.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191203005233/en/

Contacts

Emily Van Camp, evcamp@isaca.org, +1.847.385.7223



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The State of Eritrea Becomes Africa Finance Corporation’s 24th Member State

ASMARA, Eritrea-Thursday 5 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Africa Finance Corporation (“AFC” or “the Corporation”) is pleased to announce the accession of the State of Eritrea (“Eritrea”) as its 24th member state. This decision was ratified by His Excellency, Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea, on 6 November 2019.

Eritrea has experienced stable growth; driven by increased investment in the mining and extractive sectors, with an expectation to deliver an average annual GDP growth rate of circa 4-5% between 2019 and 2024. The country’s economic growth strategy highlights a focus on scaling up infrastructure investments, specifically water and energy, to promote agricultural and industrial transformation. Additionally, the government is committed to improving the mining sector through a natural resource planning strategy.

AFC, in line with its mandate, has committed to provide financing to the Colluli Mining Share Company for the development and construction of the Colluli Potash Project in the Danakil Depression region of Eritrea. Successful execution of this project will make significant contributions to exports, employment, agricultural productivity, and overall social and economic development of the country.

AFC President and CEO, Samaila Zubairu, commented on the announcement: “It is my pleasure to welcome Eritrea as a member state of AFC. The government’s efforts at prioritising infrastructure investments bodes well for the country and we are committed to supporting Eritrea’s economic development programmes.”

Notes to Editors

About AFC - www.africafc.org

AFC, an investment grade multilateral finance institution, was established in 2007 with an equity capital base of US$1 billion, to be the catalyst for private sector-led infrastructure investment across Africa. With a current balance sheet of approximately US$5.07 billion,

AFC is the second highest investment grade rated multilateral financial institution in Africa with an A3/P2 (Stable outlook) rating from Moody’s Investors Service. AFC successfully raised US$650 million in 2019, US$500 million in 2017 and US$750 million in 2015 through Eurobond issuances; out of its Board-approved US$3 Billion Global Medium-Term Note (MTN) Programme. All Eurobond issues were oversubscribed and attracted investors from Asia, Europe and the USA.

AFC’s investment approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth. AFC invests in high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. To date, the Corporation has invested over US$6.6 billion in projects within 30 countries across Africa.

Follow us on Twitter - @africa_finance

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191203005841/en/

Contacts

Lucy Savage
Senior Vice President, Communications
Tel: + 234 1 279 9600
Email: lucy.savage@africafc.org

Buchanan Communications
Bobby Morse / Augustine Chipungu
Tel: +44 (0) 207 466 5000
Email: afc@buchanan.uk.com


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CORRECTING and REPLACING PHOTO Zynga Celebrates Bugatti’s 110th Anniversary with Special CSR Racing 2 Event Series

Players Can Race and Collect Exclusive Bugatti-Engineered Hyper Sports Cars in Game

CORRECTION...by Zynga



SAN FRANCISCO-Wednesday 4 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Please replace the photo with the accompanying corrected photo.

The release reads:

ZYNGA CELEBRATES BUGATTI’S 110TH ANNIVERSARY WITH SPECIAL CSR RACING 2 EVENT SERIES

Players Can Race and Collect Exclusive Bugatti-Engineered Hyper Sports Cars in Game

Today, Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNGA), a global leader in interactive entertainment, is launching an event series in partnership with the hyper sports car manufacturer Bugatti in the hit mobile drag racing game, CSR Racing 2 (CSR2). The event series, which celebrates Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, will give players the opportunity to collect and compete with the world’s most powerful and exclusive hyper sports cars in CSR2.

“Bugatti is one of the most iconic and revered car manufacturers in the world, and we are truly honored to celebrate such an important milestone with them,” said Julian Widdows, Vice President of CSR2. “Our team worked tirelessly to make sure everything from the cars’ sleek forms to their powerful engines is authentically represented in the game. This is the closest an aficionado can come to owning a Bugatti without actually buying one.”

The series showcases 24 different Bugatti cars, three of which are available exclusively in CSR2. Players can view the cars in augmented reality, giving them the experience of sitting in the driver’s seats of the most desirable hyper sports cars ever designed. The integration has seven different events over an eight-week period, and will be highlighted in a continued beta version of CSR2’s new player-versus-player feature, Showdown.

CSR2 Bugatti Exclusives:

    Chiron Super Sport 300: the first series production car to break the magical 300 miles per hour barrier
    La Voiture Noire: a one-off one grand tourisme masterpiece
    Centodieci: the newly released homage to the original modern-day super sports car, EB110

“Interactive entertainment is a main driver for today’s young generation’s enthusiasm for cars and a great way to stay in touch with fans around the world,” said Bugatti President, Stephan Winkelmann. “We are very excited that through this partnership, our enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience all of our latest exclusive Bugatti hyper sports cars in CSR2.”

Every aspect of the 24 Bugatti cars, from the grills to the paint color, dashboard finish and stitching, has been meticulously recreated in CSR2 to mirror the real hyper sports cars. Players can explore the cars by tapping special points to trigger handcrafted, bespoke animations, allowing them to open doors, pop the hoods, inspect the engine bays, extend the spoilers and more.

CSR2 is available to download for free on the App Store as well as the Google Play Store. For more information about CSR2, visit the game’s community channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Editor’s Note - To view the supporting assets for CSR Racing 2 (CSR2), please click here: https://app.box.com/s/56junq0iv8ibm2dx0mqfo8hpkd7qlk64

About Zynga Inc.

Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment with a mission to connect the world through games. To date, more than one billion people have played Zynga’s franchises including CSR Racing™, Empires & Puzzles™, Merge Dragons!™, Words With Friends™ and Zynga Poker™. Zynga’s games are available in more than 150 countries and are playable across social platforms and mobile devices worldwide. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with locations in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, India, Turkey and Finland. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or follow Zynga on Twitter and Facebook.

About Bugatti

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. manufactures the world's most powerful, fastest, most exclusive and luxurious production hyper sports car. Since its foundation in 1909, the French luxury brand has been based on and off in Molsheim, Alsace. The Veyron was made there between 2005 and 2015, the first modern-day hyper sports car, of which 450 vehicles were built by hand. Since autumn 2016, the staff in Molsheim have been producing the Chiron1 models.

With an output of 1,500 hp, which has never before been achieved by production vehicles, a torque of 1,600 newton metres at 2,000 to 6,000 rpm and numerous technical innovations, the Chiron1 has been setting new standards in automotive engineering ever since.

In 2017, Bugatti delivered 70 vehicles to customers, by 2018 this had increased to 76. More than 80 vehicles are set to be delivered to customers in 2019. Bugatti has announced the construction of 500 models – currently only 100 Chiron can be ordered. Production of the Divo2, a vehicle optimised for lateral acceleration, will follow soon.

Bugatti has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1998 and employs more than 300 people. The majority of these work in Molsheim in Alsace. With 37 dealers and service partners in 18 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Bugatti is a global player.

1 Fuel consumption, l/100km: urban 35.2 / extra-urban 15.2 / combined 22.5; combined CO2 emissions, g/km: 516; efficiency class: G

2 Fuel consumption, l/100km: not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC as overall type approval is currently not yet available

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, relating to, among other things, the release of future CSR Racing 2 game features and events. Forward-looking statements often include words such as "outlook," "projected," “planned,” "intends," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "target," "expect," and statements in the future tense are generally forward-looking. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update such statements. More information about these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations web site at http://investor.zynga.com or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191204005025/en/

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52134485/en

Contacts

Zynga Media Contact:
Kenny Johnston
kjohnston@zynga.com | (602) 999-1890

Or

Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. Contact:
Tim Bravo
Head of Communications
Mobile: +33 640 151969
Email: tim.bravo@bugatti.com


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Velodyne Lidar Supports Next Generation of AV Developers in Formula Student Competitions

Velodyne Participation in Student Engineering Challenges Brings State-of-the-Art Lidar Technology and Skills to Future Engineers

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Thursday 5 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- During the 2019 Formula Student, Europe’s most established educational engineering competition, Velodyne Lidar, Inc. contributed sensors to 20 university teams across Europe. The students used Velodyne lidar technology in powering the autonomous vehicles (AV) they built and placed into competitions throughout Europe.

Student teams selected Velodyne Puck™, Puck Hi-Res™ and Ultra Puck™ sensors in their AV development. Among the Formula Student events where teams with Velodyne lidar competed were the Silverstone circuit in Northampton, U.K., Fiorano circuit in Maranello, Italy and Formula 1 circuit area near Hockenheim, Germany. This year in Hockenheim, 19 teams participated in the driverless challenge. The AMZ Racing Team from ETH Zürich dominated the Hockenheim event, winning the driverless competition powered by Velodyne sensors.

“Through Formula Student competitions, next-generation engineers learn how lidar 3D perception powers autonomous vehicles,” said Erich Smidt, Executive Director Europe, Velodyne Lidar. “It is a privilege for our company to work with these remarkable students as they reinvent automotive technology.”

The Formula Student competition aims to develop enterprising and innovative young engineers and encourage more young people to take up a career in engineering. Each year, university teams from around the globe compete in static and dynamic events that test their preparation and hard work.

“Participating in the Formula Student competition gives students hands-on experience in many different areas including in the development of autonomous vehicles,” said Christian Guba, Head of Department Perception and Environment Modeling 2019, TU Darmstadt Racing Team e.V. “Lidar sensors play an important role in driverless vehicles and help us to improve our skills in perception algorithms.”

About Velodyne Lidar

Velodyne provides smart, powerful lidar solutions for autonomy and driver assistance. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Velodyne is known worldwide for its portfolio of breakthrough lidar sensor technologies. Velodyne’s Founder and CEO, David Hall, invented real-time surround view lidar systems in 2005 as part of Velodyne Acoustics. Mr. Hall’s invention revolutionized perception and autonomy for automotive, new mobility, mapping, robotics, and security. Velodyne’s high-performance product line includes a broad range of sensing solutions, including the cost-effective Puck™, the versatile Ultra Puck™, the autonomy-advancing Alpha Prime™, the ADAS-optimized Velarray™, and the groundbreaking software for driver assistance, Vella™.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191203005143/en/

Contacts

Sean Dowdall
Landis Communications Inc. for Velodyne Lidar, Inc.
(415) 286-7121
velodyne@landispr.com

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Saudi Fund for Development and Regional Partners Join Government of Burkina Faso to Inaugurate New Life Changing Dam

 • 250,000 farmers and residents will benefit from land reclamation and improved irrigation



Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso-Wednesday 4 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

As a key contributor to the project, a delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) joined President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso and regional donor organizations to inaugurate the new USD $130 million Samendini Dam.

Located in the Samendini Valley,350km from the capital city, the dam will enhance food security and agriculture production in the draught affected region. Funded by the SFD and other Arab and African lending partners, the new dam will benefit approximately 250,000 farmers and residents through the irrigation and reclamation of over 1500 hectares of new agricultural land, which is set to increase to 23,000 hectares in the final stages of this integral development project. It will also facilitate access to cleaner, affordable power through a Hydro-Powered Generator that will produce 2.6MW of electricity, helping residents from the region.

Commenting about the event, Mr. Mohammed Al Jenaidel, Senior Advisor to SFD said: “We are proud to have taken part in a project that will help eradicate poverty and bring life changing benefits to the people of Burkina Faso, where we have been actively involved in since 1975. Coming from a desert nation, we understand that water is the most important of nature’s resources, and we are committed to supporting water resource management projects in drought affected regions of the world.”

During their visit to Burkina Faso, the SFD delegation participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the 200-bed Manga Hospital, which was recipient of a loan contribution from the Fund. The hospital is the first primary healthcare facility in the region and construction began on December 1, 2019.

The SFD is one of West Africa’s largest contributors to sustainable development aid, promoting stability and prosperity in the Sahel region since 1975. The SFD has contributed financial and technical assistance to a total of 12 rural development and infrastructure projects in Burkina Faso in keeping with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its goals of building prosperity and providing socio-economic support to developing nations in the region.

Contacts

Nizar Hariz, +966558874438

nizar.hariz@ws-mena.com


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GSMA Announces New Developments for MWC Barcelona 2020

GSMA Outlines Additional Keynote Speakers, Programme and Event Updates

LONDON-Wednesday 4 December 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The GSMA today announced further details of MWC Barcelona 2020 activity, including additional keynote speakers, participating companies, programmes and events. MWC Barcelona will take place 24-27 February 2020, with events across Fira Gran Via, Fira Montjuïc and La Farga L’Hospitalet.

“Our vision at the GSMA is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. The MWC20 theme of ‘Limitless Intelligent Connectivity’ features how 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Big Data are doing just that,” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. “MWC Barcelona continues to lead as the world’s ‘must-attend’ industry event where over 100,000 participants will explore and experience how the mobile industry will continue to transform our everyday lives.”

Additional Keynote Speakers Confirmed

The GSMA announced several new keynote speakers for the four-day conference programme, representing companies across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industry sectors. Newly confirmed speakers include:

    Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, Air Asia Group
    Poppy Gustafsson OBE, Co-CEO, Darktrace
    Maria Teixidor i Jufresa, Director, FC Barcelona Femení
    Eugene Kaspersky, CEO, Kaspersky
    Rosa Whitaker, President, Mercy Ships
    Katica Roy, CEO & Founder, Pipeline
    Jim Whitehurst, President and CEO, Red Hat
    Kurt Azarbarzin, President and CEO, Verb Surgical Inc.
    Pat Gelsinger, CEO, VMware

For more information on the conference, visit www.mwcbarcelona.com/conference-programmes/.

Women4Tech Summit Speakers

Back for its fourth year with a renewed and expanded focus, Women4Tech Summit will showcase the trailblazing individuals and organisations who are advocating for making diversity and inclusion a business imperative. The Women4Tech Summit will provide hope for under-represented individuals equality and a series of inspiring case studies in workplace equality diversity and authentic leadership. We are excited to announce some of the first confirmed Women4Tech speakers including:

    Dana Eaton, Senior Managing Director for Communications, Media and Technology Europe, Accenture
    Isabel Ferrer de Casacuberta, EMEA Marketing Director, Dolls Portfolio and Barbie Franchise, Mattel
    Kirti Lad, Executive Director, Meraki Executive Search and Consulting Limited
    Peko Wan, Chief Ecosystem Officer, Pundi X
    Vicki Mealer-Burke, Chief Diversity Officer, Qualcomm
    Mary Clark, CMO, Synchronoss
    Aparna Khurjekar, SVP Customer Experience and Transformation, Verizon Wireless

Discover the Power of Diverse Thought

We are proud to premiere a brand new set of topics on the Summit agenda this year where a set of exciting additions of inclusion topics are added:

    Calling out Unconscious Bias in Business;
    Understanding the Business Imperative for LGBTQ Equality in the Workplace;
    Realising the Benefits of Incorporating Neurodiversity and Disability Into The Talent Pool;
    Authentic Leadership Lessons to Inspire and Empower Underrepresented Groups;
    Addressing the AI Diversity Crisis; and
    Fairer Funding for Female-Led Start-Ups and The Rise of Femtech In the Fight for Equality.

Joining Official Summit Sponsor Accenture and Supporting Summit Sponsor Synchronoss, is Roundtable Sponsor Red Hat and partner CBS Interactive Tech. For more information, visit www.mwcbarcelona.com/experiences/gsma-women4tech/.

GSMA Leading the Way

In addition to the 2019 edition of MWC being officially certified as carbon neutral by AENOR International, which secured MWC Barcelona’s position as the world's largest carbon-neutral tradeshow, the event has now been recognised, for a fourth time, as the Guinness World Record holder for the Largest Carbon Neutral Trade Show. For MWC Barcelona 2020, the GSMA is focused on further reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the event, offsetting any outstanding emissions as necessary. For more information, visit www.mwcbarcelona.com/about/about-the-gsma/environmental-programme/.

The GSMA’s successful BREEZ (Biometric Recognition Easy Entry Zone) contactless entry solution returns for a second year. The opt-in enrolment service provides attendees with frictionless access to the event through any BREEZ perimeter access lanes and eliminates the need to show identification or have badges scanned in order to enter the event. In its first year, more than 40 per cent of attendees used the service to enter MWC19.

4YFN20

4YFN has launched a series of vertical hubs that each include a start-up showcase, targeted networking and a one-day summit to help investors, corporations and entrepreneurs to navigate and benefit from 4YFN. The hubs include the Fintech Hub sponsored by Mastercard, the Health and Wellness Hub with partner ECHAlliance and the Intelligent Connectivity Hub, sponsored by Telefonica.

The first speakers at 4YFN are announced as:

    David Siegel, CEO, Meetup
    Valentin Stalf, Co-founder and CEO, N26
    Anne Boden, CEO, Starling Bank

xside Presents Internationally Acclaimed Musicians

The new xside experience, a collaboration between 4YFN, Sónar and MWC to explore the role that technology, design and innovation play in the future of creativity, cultures, and business - presents artists as both speakers and performers for its first event. Internationally acclaimed DJ, producer and technologist, Richie Hawtin, will deliver a keynote exploring the boundaries of creativity and technology, while acclaimed house music artist and fashion designer, Honey Dijon will be among the DJs performing at xside Night from 18:00 at Fira Montjuic each evening. Other recently confirmed artists include French house sensation Folamour and the UK's urban music trendsetter Jamz Supernova, among many other names.

New Partners and Sponsors Announced

For over a decade, companies from across the mobile ecosystem have delivered partner programmes at MWC Barcelona. Offering attendees, the opportunity to engage with, and gain insights from, some of the top thought-leaders in the industry as they share their vision on a variety of complex ecosystem challenges. For the first time, Tech Mahindra will join MWC and in collaboration with the GSMA present a manufacturing summit entitled ‘5G the NxT of Manufacturing’ additionally they will also be hosting the first Manufacturing Pavilion in Hall 8.0, where they shall be demonstrating the mini-factory and networks of the future.

New partners include Accenture, AWS, Geekpark, Google Assistant, GTI, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, mSchools, Quiet Media, realme, SAP, and Afilias. Elastic Path, fonYou, Royole and Telecommunications Industry Association will hold Power Hours. For more information on how to host a partner event, please visit https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/become-a-partner/.

The GSMA announced several new exhibitors for MWC Barcelona, including Amazon, China Information and Communication Technologies Group, Flex, Hyundai, ServiceNow and Vivo. Several new industry and regional pavilions were also announced: Telecom Infra Project Pavilion; Russian and Italian Pavilions and additionally, new sponsors were revealed: Garden Sponsors LINK Mobility and Tappy Technologies and Official Digital Planet Sponsor is the Government of Catalonia.

MWC Tours

For the 5th year, MWC Barcelona will again offer attendees six focused Topic Tours, led by industry experts. Each tour will take attendees through the show floor to visit unique exhibitor stops and learn about the topic from thought leaders. Topics are 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Marketing Technology, Retail & Digital Commerce, and What’s Hot at MWC.

Newly announced Topic Tour Partners include:

    Chris Reece and Mark Harms from Award Solutions, Inc. leading the 5G and IoT Tours
    Maggie Tinsley and Doug Chavez from Geometry Global leading the Marketing Technology and Retail and Digital Commerce Tours
    Ben Gauthier and Manolo Almagro from Stratacache, Inc. leading the Transformative AI and What’s Hot at MWC Tours

More information, including how to participate in a tour, is available at www.mwcbarcelona.com/experiences/topic-tours/.

Get Involved at MWC Barcelona 2020

For more information on MWC Barcelona, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, visit www.mwcbarcelona.com. Follow developments and updates on MWC Barcelona on Twitter @GSMAEvents using #MWC20, on our LinkedIn MWC page https://www.linkedin.com/company/gsma-mobile-world-congress or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mobileworldcongress/. Follow other GSMA news and activity on Twitter @GSMA.

-ENDS-

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191203005083/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts:
Gearóid Cashman
+44 79 7679 0169
GCashman@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com

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