From national politics to local government: the Smart Country Convention will bring together the key players in the digital transformation of the public sector from 13-15 October 2026. Three federal ministers have already confirmed their attendance.

High-profile insights for the public sector

In addition to Dr Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, who has once again agreed to act as patron of the Smart Country Convention, keynote speeches are also expected from Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer and Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister for Transport. At the state level, speakers will include Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Prof. Dr Kristine Sinemus, Hessian Minister for Digitalisation and Innovation; and Petra Berg, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the Saarland.

The programme will be complemented by leading experts from the public sector, academia and industry. The seven stages of the Smart Country Convention will feature, among others:

• Sinan Selen, Director of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
• Grit Tüngler, President of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance
• Dr Katrin Krömer, Director of Resources at the Federal Employment Agency
• Dr Matthias Flügge, Member of the Executive Board of the German Pension Insurance
• Dr André Göbel, President of the Federal IT Cooperation (FITKO)
• Prof. Manfred Hauswirth, CEO of Fraunhofer FOKUS
• Prof. Dr Jürgen Stember, President of the Rectors’ Conference of Universities for the Public Sector.

Best practices for the digital transformation of public administration

The Smart Country Convention has seen a strong response to its 2026 Call for Speakers, which provides a platform for best practices from cities, local authorities, research institutions and government bodies. A total of 390 submissions were received. The projects come from 40 cities, ten federal states and eight districts, reflecting the diversity of digital transformation efforts across Germany.

20 contributions have been selected for this year’s stage programme. Topics range from cyber resilience in local government IT and AI applications in urban administration to digital tax filing and climate-adapted urban development using satellite-based remote sensing.

Further information on the programme for the Smart Country Convention 2026 can be found on the website.

Free tickets for the Smart Country Convention are available from the online ticket shop.