The next edition of the urban innovation summit, Smart City Expo, to be held November 5-7, 2024, promises to be the largest to date, with the participation of more than 1,000 exhibitors. This edition focuses on motivating cities to improve the quality of life of their inhabitants under the slogan “Live Better”. A 30% growth is expected compared to the 2023 edition, which had already reached record figures.
Annually, the Smart City Expo brings together a diverse group of industry executives, government leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs, all with the purpose of guiding cities toward a better future. The event fosters robust connections within the global ecosystem, connections essential to fulfilling the mission of facilitating a better life for all.
Smart City Expo
The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), organized by Fira de Barcelona, has established itself as the leading international meeting on smart cities and urban solutions. The event will take place in pavilions 2 and 3 of the Gran Via exhibition center and is expected to be attended by 1,100 exhibitors, 850 cities and more than 25,000 attendees. The main objective of the SCEWC is to explore and share strategies for transforming today’s metropolises into more sustainable and livable spaces. Business leaders from around the world are expected to showcase the latest solutions and technologies to make cities more efficient in areas such as mobility, public services, utilities, citizen participation and sustainability.
The congress will be attended by more than 600 international speakers and experts who will share their experiences and advances in urban transformation. The conference program will be structured around eight thematic axes: Enabling Technologies, Energy and Environment, Mobility, Governance, Living and Inclusion, Economy, Infrastructures and Buildings, and Safety and Security. According to Ugo Valenti, director of the event, the next edition seeks to establish a common goal for urban innovation worldwide. This in the sense of improving well-being, creating opportunities and fostering a better relationship with the planet and communities. If we want to live better, we must rethink our way of life, taking advantage of technology, innovation and collaboration, he said.
He noted that industry leaders, public officials, researchers and entrepreneurs will gather at Smart City Expo World Congress to address the complex issues at the heart of the new city model.
Global innovation hub
In 2024, SCEWC will delve deeper into the potential of new technologies and the role of startups in their development. To achieve this goal, the event will feature the Innovation Playground, a space designed to connect key players in the global innovation ecosystem, including startups, investors, governments, corporations and research centers. This approach will not only facilitate collaboration between different sectors, but also foster the creation of innovative solutions that address urban challenges.
In addition, SCEWC will hold the third edition of the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, organized by Barcelona Activa, which will focus on scientific-technological entrepreneurship and university spin-offs. This event will provide a platform for innovators to present their ideas and connect with potential partners and funders. The goal is to foster the growth of deep-tech startups that can have a significant impact on industry and society.
Other events
To complete this combination of events, the Gran Via venue will also host the third edition of Tomorrow.Mobility, an event jointly organized by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility. This meeting aims to develop a new paradigm of sustainable urban mobility, exploring innovative ways to improve urban transport and reduce its environmental impact. The second editions of Tomorrow Building, focused on innovative construction, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy, aimed at harnessing the full potential of ocean resources for sustainable economic growth, will also be held.
Smart City Expo World Congress 2024 promises to be a pivotal gathering for those interested in urban innovation. With its wide range of exhibitors, conferences and events, SCEWC offers a unique opportunity for cities, companies and organizations to collaborate and share knowledge on how to create a more sustainable and livable future for all.
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