Mayors Turn Smart City Expo into a Major Global Urban Summit in 2026
The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), slated for November 3-5, 2026, at the Gran Via venue in Barcelona, is reshaping its profile as a leading international event on urban innovation and city development. Under the theme "Urban Solutions, Real Impact," this year’s congress will feature an exceptional lineup of over 600 speakers, including mayors and regional leaders from every corner of the globe, establishing the event as a pivotal international urban summit. This congress is jointly held with the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, the new HOWS Barcelona – Housing World Summit, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy, highlighting the multifaceted approaches to urban development.
One of the key highlights of the 2026 expo is the political dimension represented by Anne Hidalgo, the former Mayor of Paris. As a Global Ambassador for the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, she has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding climate action in urban settings. Alongside Hidalgo, notable figures like Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta, Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, and representatives from various global cities will convene, discussing strategies for sustainable urban living.
Housing challenges take center stage this year, with the addition of HOWS Barcelona, hosted by the Barcelona City Council. This initiative will include a Housing Mayors Meeting and Roundtable, fostering political dialogue on pressing housing issues. The congress promises keynotes from influential speakers, such as Nikolas Badminton, Chief Futurist at Futurist.com, and Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder of Women in Tech Global. These figures will address strategic foresight, diversity, and inclusion as foundational aspects of urban innovation.
The congress's expansive approach to leadership is further evidenced by the inclusion of corporate leaders. Kees Hertogh from Microsoft, Rochelle Haynes from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Nam Guan Ng from Dell Technologies, Bilel Jamoussi from the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, and John Li from Dahua Technology will share insights on leveraging technology in urban planning and management. Their participation indicates a robust dialogue between political and industry leaders to create actionable solutions for cities worldwide.
SCEWC 2026 anticipates a significant turnout with over 27,000 attendees and more than 1,100 exhibitors, featuring key players such as Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, and Veolia. This collaborative environment is set to inspire innovations that can transform urban living and make significant real-world impacts.
In summary, the Smart City Expo World Congress is set to become the hallmark of urban summits in 2026, bringing together an unparalleled number of influential speakers and participants. By fostering discussions on strategic urban solutions, this event aims to pave the way for sustainable and inclusive urban development across the globe. The discussions and collaborations at SCEWC will no doubt shape the future of city governance and urban living. Don't miss this chance to witness history in the making as we explore the intersection of innovation, leadership, and sustainability in the urban realm.