What it is
Smart Country Convention (SCCON) is a three-day congress and trade fair on digital government, run by Messe Berlin and Bitkom, the German digital industry association, on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds every October. It is where German federal, state and local administrations meet the companies, GovTech start-ups and researchers who build their systems. Smart cities and regions, mobility and energy are tracks within a programme centred on public administration.
The 2026 edition, held in October under the patronage of the federal digital ministry, drew more than 30,000 visitors, according to Bitkom’s closing release. More than 650 exhibitors used 27,000 square metres of exhibition space. The next edition is on 5-7 October 2027 in Berlin.
How the programme works
There are four parts: a conference on seven stages, an exhibition, hands-on workshops, and networking. In 2026 the organisers counted more than 1,400 sessions, 900 speakers and 100 workshops and seminars. Each year has a partner country; in 2026 it was Portugal.
Several fixtures matter to cities. Bitkom presents its Smart City Index, which ranks the digitalisation of Germany’s 83 large cities; in 2026 Stuttgart came first, ahead of Munich and Hamburg. The Smart Country Startup Award went to ENVIOTECH of Frankfurt am Main, which turns existing street lighting into connected infrastructure. 2026 also added a first Resilience Day, on security, sovereignty and cybersecurity in the public sector.
Who goes and how to take part
The organiser groups the audience as politics and institutions; federal, state and local administration; cities, towns and regions; the digital economy and GovTech; academia; and civil society and media. Admission is free, but you must register online in advance. The ticket shop for 2027 opens in spring 2027. Halls are open from 9:00 to 18:00 on 5 and 6 October and until 16:30 on 7 October, with the entrance at hub27 on Jafféstraße (venue page).
Why it matters for cities
For a European city official, SCCON is a compact view of how a large federal state organises municipal digitalisation: shared platforms, national rankings and procurement through a supplier market that exhibits in one place. The Smart City Index results give a ready-made benchmark of German cities. Hamburg, third in 2026, also hosts the UITP Summit in 2027.
Going, or following from home
Selected 2026 sessions are available on demand through the event recap, including Resilience Day, the Startup Award and the Smart City Index. Dates are already fixed for 2028 (17-19 October) and 2029 (16-18 October).