Smart City Expo World Congress is the biggest gathering of worldwide industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs accelerating sustainable and inclusive cities. 3 days of talks, solutions, and business where all urban players connect to empower cities and push smart development forward.
The Barcelona Expo Congress Mission
Smart City Expo World Congress exists in order to empower cities and collectivize urban innovation across the globe. Through promoting social innovation, establishing partnerships, and identifying business opportunities, the event is dedicated to creating a better future for cities and their citizens worldwide.
The Barcelona Expo Congress Vision
As the world’s leading event for cities, Smart City Expo World Congress provides a unique meeting point for the whole smart city ecosystem. Corporate leaders, public representatives, entrepreneurs, experts, and academics from all around the globe come together to learn from each other, share experiences, talk about best practices, and open new paths for international collaboration.
The Barcelona Expo Congress Value
The event is based around the values of social inclusion, sustainability, and empowerment, and is dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding, and critical reflection on the smart urban revolution.
Leading by example, every year we run the Towards Zero Waste initiative to reduce waste and increase the efficient use of resources across the event. Our Towards Inclusivity initiative ensures the event is accessible and that everyone has a voice here, and the Smart City Lab aims to spread and widen the debate on smart cities.
Avoiding single-use plastics
We once again got rid of single-use plastics at the event. All drinks for sale were in glass containers and treated water stations and reusable glass bottles were available around the venue. Our catering menus also avoided plastic packaging, while coffee machines and one-dose capsules were replaced by coffee thermos. Vending machines were disabled. 236,25 kg of plastic waste was prevented.
Carbon neutral
Reducing CO2 emissions. All emissions generated by the event were offset by buying Verified Emission Reduction Carbon Credits for wind power projects in Andra Pradesh, India. 344.26 tons of CO2e were compensated! Attendees could do the same with the emissions associated with their journey and their stay in Barcelona. We also encouraged people to move around using public transport or bicycle. Attendees could leave their bicycles in secure parking lots outside the venue.
Using less paper
Within our efforts to become a paperless event, we set up QR code points at strategic places throughout the venue for downloading the event app. It was downloaded 10,994 times, saving 164 kg of paper. We eliminated paper magazines and instead had digital press corners. All paper used at the stands was collected for recycling at the end of the event.
Recycling
All lanyards passes, and pass holders were made from recycled materials and could be discarded at the return point to be recycled again after the event. More than 2,000 accreditations were returned in 2019, helping save 29 kg of material. Special containers for separating waste were distributed across the venue, with dedicated volunteers to help visitors recycle. 1,700 kg of plastics, 3,390 kg of paper, 1,108 kg of glass, and 640 kg of organic waste were collected.
Reducing and reusing
We reused the carpet and other materials from several booths and communal areas. We donated other items, such as plants, to several local associations. 25,400 m2 of carpet and 2,425 kg of other materials were reused after the event, the equivalent of 7,620 kg of waste prevention
No food waste
267.66 kg of leftover food was donated to the NGO Nutrition Without Borders, to be distributed by community kitchens.
Creating a more inclusive, participatory, and diverse event.
A smart city is not only forward-thinking and sustainable but fully inclusive, leaving no one behind. At Smart City Expo World Congress, we want to lead by example by integrating inclusivity into everything we do, in addition to creating space for debate on
how to build a fairer and more egalitarian society through a dedicated congress track: Inclusive & Sharing Cities.
In 2019, we put a name to an initiative that has actually been in place for several years. Towards Inclusivity highlighted the actions Smart City Expo World Congress took to make sure the event was accessible to all, and that everyone felt represented and had a voice here.
Below you’ll find information about the initiative and the facilities that were available for those in need of assistance while attending the event. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Disabilities
Electric scooters are available for people with reduced mobility.
Reserved spaces for wheelchairs/electric scooters in the food courts and in the audience of all Congress rooms.
Guided tours are available for people with visual impairment.
Full accessibility in all areas of the venue.
Gender
Increasing equal gender representation at the Congress.
Specific Congress sessions about gender equality.
Beliefs
Dedicated prayer rooms, adapted to all needs, and prayer kits for ablutions.
Variety of lunch menus with halal, kosher, and veggie/vegan options.
Babycare
Nursing room with diaper changing units.
