With 12,000 participants, 215 exhibitors and more than 400 speakers on four stages, the Smart Country Convention 2022 took place from 18.10. to 20.10. aconium presented smart paths to the regions of tomorrow, tools for a successful digital transformation and innovative EU projects at its own stand.
This year’s congress trade fair once again attracted stakeholders from the federal and state governments, cities and municipalities as well as other experts and digital fans. The exhibition halls at the Berlin Exhibition Center were filled with expertise and innovation from both the public and private sectors. As this year’s partner country, Austria set the tone over three days.
The federal and state governments were represented at the highest level – Interior Minister Nancy Faeser kicked things off on the first day, followed by Transport Minister Volker Wissing, Construction Minister Klara Geywitz, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir and Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey.
The German Association of Cities, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, the German Association of Districts, the National eGovernment Competence Center, the Association of Municipal Enterprises and the Federal Working Group of Municipal IT Service Providers were represented as institutional partners.
This year’s event was all about the digitalization of administration, digital cities and municipalities. The congress trade fair was accompanied by two digital conferences on energy and mobility as well as numerous workshops and training courses.
As part of the trade fair presentation, aconium provided information on integrated digital strategies, the importance of comprehensive participation processes with stakeholders and the implementation of these in Europe-wide projects.
The networking concept was at the forefront of all activities – including a tour of Smart City Berlin, which made a stopover at the aconium stand. aconium is a member of the Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH initiative and was able to introduce participants in the initiative to smart and sustainable regional development and funding.
“Our first appearance at the Smart Country Convention was a complete success. We were able to hold a number of enriching and interesting discussions with so many important players from the public and private sectors. The trade fair combines innovation and the right network for digital transformation under one roof. We have learned a lot and will definitely be back next year,” says Peyman Khodabakhsh, Head of Smart Regions aconium GmbH.
The Smart Country Convention will once again bring together administrations, politics, the digital economy, associations and science in 2023 and will take place from November 7 to 9 next year at the Berlin Exhibition Center. It is the leading event for the digitalization of the public sector in Germany.