For some simply a matter of fun and games, for others more like managing a small company, IESE’s MBA Spring Games have grown in scope and participation this year.

Some 850 students from eight business schools (LBS, Bocconi, INSEAD, HEC, ESADE, EADE, IEE, and IESE) enjoyed a weekend of tournaments in sports, ranging from traditional football or volleyball to unconventional ones like dodgeball or petanque. The event was held April 20-22 in Barcelona.

This year’s edition boasted more of an international flavor than past years, with students flying in from business schools in London, Milan, Fontainebleu and Paris, as well as a new location: the beach.  Thus, beach volleyball, football and ultimate frisbee were added to the potpourri of games for the first time, as well as the 2012 regatta, which ended up taking center stage on the first day, according to student organizer Marcelo Montilla.

Montilla summed up his experience as organizer in terms of practical training ground for concepts learned in class. “Organizing the Spring Games is like running a small company,” he said. “Our team of 30 people, divided into 7 different departments, spent months coordinating the event. It’s provided great practice for the real business world.”