Category Archives: Digital

Global + Mobile: Why you should attend the Global Mobile Internet Conference

So I’m a self-proclaimed nerd. When I heard that there was an entire conference devoted to the mobile Internet industry, I knew I had to make it there. Special bonus? Its annually held in Beijing, China, conveniently, the city to where I’d just moved.

Fantastic, the chance to prove the utility of my social media addiction.

I had a fun, productive time at the Great Mobile Internet Conference, Asia’s largest mobile internet conference. I had the pleasure of blogging for the organizer, the Great Wall Club, on its blog, MobiSights. I loved getting to chat with industry professionals, startup hopefuls, and tech followers, all engaged in the dynamic mobile marketplace, in the largest internet marketplace in the world.

Mobile is big; China is the ever-present giant.

Here’s what I learned, and why I think you should keep an eye on this event:

1) Mobile is where the growth is…

  • Mobile internet usage will overtake desktop usage by 2014; 50% of local searches are made via mobile (via DigitalBuzz).
  • GDP in developing countries has a high correlation with mobile phone penetration, a 10% increase in mobile phones relates to a 0.8% in GDP (via ubuni.org).

2) … but understanding the (Chinese) arena is key.

Big screens at GMIC streaming the latest updates from Tencent QQ and Weibo reminded this Dorothy she wasn’t in the land of Facebook anymore. The social media market in Asia is dominated by domestic sites; however, developing markets have the most potential growth when it comes to the internet usage.

  • China has a higher internet population than the USA has people: China has 500 million internet users vs the USA’s total population of about 400 million (via zpryme).
  • 1 in 5 internet users are Chinese (via Mashable via Statista).
So what do you do when the largest internet market in the world censored by a strong, central government? You go to those industry leaders who understand it best:

3) The Great Mobile Internet Conference is a great networking event, and it’s getting bigger.

GMIC has got it all: industry leaders from Tencent, Sina Weibo, ChinaMobile; getting insider insight is invaluable. Although conferences often have the self-promotional feel of a PR campaign, these conference are more important for the ability to meet with experienced and/or passionate individuals.

I enjoyed getting to hear big-name speakers on the main stages; however, it was the little conversations and interactions that I took the most away from.

What did I learn? Beijing: a hot spot for tech startups. The city has the right ingredients for a startup culture: 1) Investment capital, 2) Lots of universities and educational centers, 3) A relatively low cost of living.

More than one developer mentioned one of the major reasons they’ve developed and thrived in Beijing is due to the talent pool: great, available engineering talent. What’s significant about this talent, as well, is that Chinese engineers are used to working with large number volumes (China, and it’s population are huge).

What’s also significant is that being based out of Beijing, the company/startup can offer a higher return on investment to potential vc’s or angel investors.

4) GMIC is coming to San Fransisco.

GMIC SV (Silicon Valley) will be held in October, allowing developers, entrepreneurs, and investors from two hot tech hubs to connect.

Enjoyed GMIC 2012, and I’m looking forward to keeping tabs on what’s to come.