What history does BKIK and the participation of Hungarian companies have at the Smart City Expo World Congress?
Since 2023, the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been a regular participant at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, one of the world’s most important global exhibitions for smart city solutions, sustainable innovations and digital urban development. Interest in Hungarian innovations — as well as the creation of the first business connections — already appeared in 2023, grew further in 2024, and paved the way for this year’s remarkable success. The Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry — with the involvement of regional chambers — provides Hungarian companies with the opportunity to take part every year.
How did this year’s event go?
This year’s Hungarian delegation included both returning participants and first-time attendees, enabling new, export-ready Hungarian companies to successfully enter the international business sphere. This year, 18 Hungarian companies presented their smart city solutions, such as smart benches, smart pedestrian crossings, 3D digital mapping systems, wind-energy-based technologies, green roof and camera systems.
In 2025, within the framework of the Enterprise Development Project funded by the Ministry for National Economy, the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry jointly represented Hungary with a 120-square-metre shared national stand. The exhibition space, named “Innovention Hungary,” showcased Hungarian creativity and technological developments with world-class visual elements, green walls and interactive installations.
This year confirmed that the key to successful sales lies in the ability to demonstrate innovations in operation and in real use. This is what ensured the success of smart benches, sensors, displays and digital solutions.
Experience also shows that the highly spectacular design of the shared stand and the exhibited corporate innovations mutually strengthened each other. The atmosphere and dynamic, inspiring, professional appearance of the Hungarian pavilion provided effective visibility for all exhibitors — including software developers and service providers.
Based on the feedback of visitors — city leaders, interested companies and innovation experts alike — we can be proud that our pavilion attracted strong international attention, which is also reflected in the large number of new business partnerships created.
Delegations from national and regional stands — joined by representatives of social and professional institutions — also visited one another, including the Bavarian, Baden-Württemberg, Czech and German stands, creating further opportunities for business and diplomatic networking.
How is BKIK preparing for the 2026 Smart City Expo World Congress?
From 2026, the Smart City Expo’s thematic focus will expand to include cybersecurity, opening new opportunities for Hungarian IT and technology companies. Thanks to the excellent professional relationship established with the organiser, FIRA Barcelona, Hungarian exhibitors will in the future also have the chance to present at conferences and side events, allowing them to showcase their innovative products and solutions and further strengthen international interest in Hungarian innovations.
All previous partners and all new interested companies will be informed about next year’s participation opportunities and conditions.
Under what organisational cooperation did this year’s Hungarian participation take place?
At the Smart City Expo World Congress, the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated as professional partners together with the HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency, which is also a partner in the joint future development of BKIK’s export development and international relations network, as well as the John von Neumann Nonprofit Public Benefit Foundation and the Institute for Advanced Studies. We would like to thank all our partners for their cooperation!
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