Within the emerging field of Smart Cities, there are many events organised worldwide which offer you the opportunity to connect with government leaders, civic tech startups and other urban innovators. We, at CitizenLab, made a list of the upcoming Smart City conferences across the globe one shouldn’t miss out in 2016.
1. Smart City InFocus
What? In partnership with the City of Yinchuan and ZTESoft, TM Forum Smart City InFocus 2016 brings together over 800 C-level executives and government officials from across the global smart city ecosystem to network, learn and exchange ideas across a three-day interactive conference program. This year’s event looks at building sustainable smart cities and offering end-to-end smart services for citizens.
When and where? Yinchuan, September 7-9
Why you should attend? Yinchuan Smart City and ZTEsoft were recognized for their exceptional development and acceleration of smart city potential by China’s National Pilot Smart City, the number one smart city in the world. There are exciting things going on in China; this conference offers the perfect opportunity to discover these smart developments.
2. Smart Cities Week
What? The Smart Cities Week program will show you how to better engage your city’s citizens and improve transportation to increase equity and access to opportunity. You’ll learn amongst others what to do with all the data your city collects.
Where and when? Washington D.C., September 27-29
Why you should attend? An impressive number of CTOs, CIOs and other senior city representatives from American cities and municipalities (over 1800!) will be attending this event, which makes this three-day conference an excellent opportunity to meet many influencers in the US Smart City market.
3. Nordic Edge
What? A two-day conference with top-class speakers from the Nordics, the rest of Europe, USA and Asia with an exhibition covering a broad range of subjects and themes related to smart, technological solutions such as Citizen involvement, City Governance, eHealth and Smart Mobility.
Where and when? Stavanger (Norway), October 6-7
Why you should attend? A not-to-miss conference for “Smart” people and a good place to showcase your work as a startup. And let’s face it: who doesn’t want to go a conference if you can combine it easily with a visit to the Norwegian fjords?
4. International Open Data Conference IODC
What? IODC is the essential meeting point for the global community to debate and study the future of open data. The conference brings together the most innovative and practical Open Data solutions that are driving social and economic impact on areas such as health, gender, cities, education, science, agriculture and many more.
Where and when? Madrid, October 6-7
Why you should attend? A city’s open data policy is a cornerstone on its road towards the City as a Platform. Open data is an enabler for participation and transparency, and can also significantly improve the government’s efficiency.
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