The Smart Country Convention 2024 ends today with a record turnout: More than 18,000 participants, 400 partners and 650 speakers attended this year's leading digitalisation event for the public sector. For the first time, seven federal ministries were represented at SCCON, plus more international programme participants than ever before on the seven event stages. In addition to Federal Minister of the Interior and patron Nancy Faeser, the top speakers at the three-day event included Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir, Federal Digital Minister Dr Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner. The Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Daniel Risch, Head of Government and Minister for Presidential Affairs and Finance of the Principality of Liechtenstein, reported on international success stories in administrative digitalisation.

Dr Ralf Wintergerst, Bitkom President: ‘We had expected 15,000 participants, but more than 18,000 came to the Smart Country Convention. The digitalisation of administrations, cities, municipalities and authorities is now an absolute hot topic in Germany too. We must utilise the momentum of the Smart Country Convention for Digital Germany.’

Dr Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin: ‘The Smart Country Convention has shown once again that there is no shortage of digital ideas and solutions in Germany. This was impressively demonstrated by our more than 350 exhibitors in the fully booked hub27 and Hall 25. The Smart Country Convention ended today with another increase in the number of exhibitors and visitors, demonstrating the need for dialogue between all the players involved. In areas such as digital administration, smart city and smart region, SCCON has become the industry event in Germany and the DACH region. For the future, we are increasingly focusing on the European region - because digitalisation does not stop at national borders.’

According to a Bitkom survey, three quarters (73 per cent) of Germans are of the opinion that most administrative procedures can also be carried out online without any problems. At the same time, however, only 15 per cent have applied for an administrative service online and a quarter (25 per cent) have never had any digital contact with the authorities.

Latvia as partner country of SCCON 2024

This year's partner country of the Smart Country Convention was the Baltic Republic of Latvia, which has established itself as a global leader in the fields of digitalisation and data security. In Latvia, 84 per cent of internet users make use of eGovernment services and digital IDs. More than 91 per cent of public services are handled online. Latvia is the only EU country in which, for example, the entire administrative process in the construction sector is fully digitalised. From 15 to 17 October, the country presented innovative solutions for the digitalisation of administrations, public companies, cities and municipalities at the Berlin Exhibition Centre. In addition to the Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Minister of Economy Viktors Valainis and the Deputy Mayor of Riga, Linda Ozola, also provided insights into digitalisation practices in Latvia.

Presentation of the Smart City Index Award 2024

The Smart City Index Award 2024 was also presented at the Smart Country Convention. The Bitkom Smart City Index provides an annual overview of the 82 major German cities in terms of their level of digitalisation and innovation. The smartest cities in Germany were honoured at the Smart Country Convention. Munich took first place, followed by Hamburg and Cologne.

Presentation of the Smart Country Startup Award 2024

The two most innovative startups in the GovTech and Smart City categories were also honoured at SCCON 2024. Neuraflow from Bremerhaven and UrbanDataLens from Berlin were able to beat the competition with their pitch to the jury and were honoured with the Smart Country Startup Award.

Smart Country Convention 2025 from 30 September to 2 October

Next year's Smart Country Convention will take place from 30 September to 2 October at the Berlin Exhibition Centre. Further information on the event can be found at https://www.smartcountry.berlin/en/.