February is here and it is almost Valentine’s day. This can only mean we are getting really close to the Mobile World Congress, held each year in the beautiful city of Barcelona.

Since MWC is HUGE and you can not find anyone at the conference venue (or it might be because everyone is sipping beer or wine somewhere) it is always a good idea to look out for cool people at the side events. From my perspective the side events are the best part of the week and you are missing out a lot if you skip them.

The following events are my favorites, but there are plenty more:

Mobile Sunday (Sunday, 14.2.2010)

Mobile Sunday is organized by M-Trends and will be held at the VINTAGE starting at 7pm CET.

• Time: 7pm onward
• Location: Vintage- c/ Fusina. 7, 08003, Barcelona
• RSVP: For a free ticket, click to register for dotopen.com and click on attend this event in your toolbox. Non-dotopen members can purchase a ticket for 25 Euros here.
• Cost: “free to all registered users of dotopen.com who will also get their company’s logo and pitch shown on the many screens visible at the event.

Mobile Premier Awards (Monday, 15.2.2010)

Read all about it on the MPA website.

• Time: 3-8pm including networking cocktail
• Location: Petit Palau of Palau de la Musica Catalana
• RSVP: To attend the Mobile Premier Awards in Barcelona on February 15, you can buy full price tickets here on Amiando.
• If you are a member of dotopen, you (and up to four of your colleagues) can buy a special ticket price of 39€ instead of 99€ for non-members, and you get  additional benefits. Check here for all details on registration.

Mobile Premier Awards Dinner (Monday, 15.2.2010)

One of the best events if you ask me. Closed, but you can get in if you really want and if you are the right kind of person. It is common to spot MPA participating startups, organizers, jury members, MobileMonday chapter organizers, investors,  and more …

GoMo Blender (Tuesday, 16.2.2010)

Perfect party to meet the guys working in the mobile marketing, mobile advertising, mobile search, and mobile application space.

• Time: 7-11pm
• Location: Incognito Bar Barcelona, Calle Fusina 6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
• RSVP: Required here
• Cost: Free Sponsored by Smaato

Swedish Beers (Wednesday, 17.2.2010)

Another classic side-event organised by the well known Helen Keegan (aka @technokitten). Swedish beers proposes itself as “a relaxed evening, no formalities, no presentations, no business cards thrust in your face as soon as you arrive.  Just come with an open mind, be prepared to talk nonsense to strangers, enjoy a drink or five and have yourself a good time. Oh, and leave the ties at the door please.” – just the kind of event I love.

• Time: 6:30pm-1:30am
• Location: Dostrece, Calle Carme 40, Barcelona
• RSVP: RSVP on Facebook here.
• Cost: Free

I am leaving on Thursday evening, so I’ll be enjoying only 4 full days of mingling and networking. I am looking forward to meeting old and new friends. See you in Barcelona!

p.s.: ping me via Twitter or drop me an email if you would like to have a chat about Qootia or Web Telephony

disclaimer: I borrowed some event details here & here; thanks guys!