events

Smart City Expo World Congress

The world’s biggest and most influential event for cities and urban innovation.

Days hours mins secs

When and where?

Gran Via, Barcelona
4th - 6th November 2025
9:00am - 7:00pm

We’re delighted to partner with Fira Barcelona and join 25,000 visitors from more than 130 countries around the globe.

Connected Places Catapult will run the UK Pavilion and we will be one of 1,100+ exhibitors at the event, joined by 600+ speakers and representatives from 850+ cities.

The event annually attracts a diverse crowd of industry executives, government leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs gather to revisit complex issues at the heart of a new model of city and society.

Together with 15 partners from UK cities, regions, academia and freeports we will be showcasing smart and innovative solutions they have implemented to help deliver their city ambitions.

Our partners include:

Meet us in person in Hall 3 to share information and extend your network.

Join us at the event

On Tuesday 4 November between 11:00 and 11:45 we will be hosting the Meet the UK Partners Business Brunch in the UK Pavilion.

The event will start at 11:00 am with the Welcome Address from Erika Lewis, our Chief Executive Officer.

On Tuesday 4 November and Wednesday 5 November between 17:45 and 19:00 on behalf of our Partners we will be running two Networking Drinks Receptions in the UK Pavilion.

Join us to meet the UK delegation and to hear our partners innovative solutions and international collaboration to build a better future in their communities.

You don't have to register, just visit our UK Pavilion. We will be delighted if you can make it.

To find out how to arrange a business meeting with us and our UK partners, contact us at events@cp.catapult.org.uk or search for Connected Places Catapult on the SCEWC event app.

From local to global: smart city collaboration across the UK and beyond

09:00 - 09:45

Networking Breakfast 'Meet the UK Partners' 

Kick-start your visit to the Congress with our informal networking breakfast and connect with our 15 partner organisations including UK cities, regions, academia and freeports exhibiting at the UK Pavilion.

  • Erika Lewis (Opening address), Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapultu
10:00 - 10:35

Empowering local and regional growth: Innovation as a catalyst for jobs and prosperity

Explore how UK cities and regions are leveraging technology and innovation to drive job creation, economic growth, and sustainable, connected infrastructure for a prosperous future. Our expert panel will share insights on successful projects, discuss the challenges and opportunities in fostering regional innovation, and highlight the role of collaboration between public and private sectors.

  • Chair: Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult
  • Ben Russell, Head of Investment Zones, Department for Business and Trade
  • Tariq Khan, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Camden
  • Sherelle Fairweather, Digital Strategy Lead, Manchester City Council
  • Lorna Rogers, Assistant Director, Delivery & Assurance Unit, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
11:00 - 11:35

Smart Cities as drivers for international collaboration

Smart cities not only help address local urban challenges, they are also important drivers for international collaboration on research, trade and investment. Join this session to learn about the UK's Innovation Twin programme with South Korea, focusing on the relationship between Belfast and Sejong and the development of their joint innovation roadmap.

  • Chair: Gareth Davies, Head of Asia Innovation Twins, Connected Places Catapult
  • Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Belfast Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast
  • Ho-Shik Lee, Ambassador for International Relations, Sejong Metropolitan City
  • Deirdre Ferguson, Innovation Broker, Belfast City Council
12:00 - 12:35

Birmingham City Council: Empowering SME's to tackle the city's challenges

Discover how Birmingham City Council revolutionised its engagement with new and emerging SMEs and entrepreneurs, in turn creating a better environment for the co-design and procurement of new products and services that address city challenges.

  • Chair: Aline Bressan Martins, Global Business and Partnerships Lead, Connected Places Catapult
  • Heather Law, International Affairs Manager, Birmingham City Council
  • Raj Mack, Head of Digital city & innovation, Birmingham City Council
  • Louis Daillencourt, Director of Housing and Energy, Novoville
  • Ben Roberts, Director, Tenants Hub Tech AI
13:00 - 13:35

Innovation City Belfast: Building an inclusive urban innovation ecosystem

Innovation City Belfast's mission is to build on existing tech strengths, and recent major investments in research, skills and digital infrastructure, to grow an inclusive urban innovation ecosystem. Join this session to learn about the critical elements of such an ecosystem, drawing on learnings from Belfast and other places.

  • Chair: Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Belfast Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast (Chair)
  • Mike Dawson, People and Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour Commission
  • Sharon McNicholl, Deputy Chief Executive, Belfast City Council
  • Ho-Shik Lee, Ambassador for International Relations, Sejong Metropolitan City
  • Stephanie Garnica, Director of Global Engagement, University of Denver
14:00 - 14:35

Sunderland - City of Smart

Hear from experts how they explore the value of public/private partnerships in delivering a blueprint for a Smart City where no one and nowhere is left behind.

  • Chair: Paul Wilson, Chair, Smart Cities World and Senior Advisor, Open & Agile Smart Cities,
  • Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities, Sunderland City Council
  • Jeremy Spencer, Director of Communications and Marketing, Boldyn Networks
  • James Sumsion, Chief Executive Officer, Makutu
  • Lena Lundgreen, Government Industry Lead, Microsoft
15:00 - 15:35

Why West Yorkshire is the UK's destination for shaping the Smart Cities of tomorrow.

Discover how West Yorkshire's businesses are pioneering the development of secure, reliable, world-leading smart cities.

  • Chair: Stephen Blackburn, Innovation Manager, Leeds City Council
  • Katherine Bavage​, Programme Development Lead – Digital, West Yorkshire Combined Authority​
  • David Blaney​, Engineering Manager, Sim Analytica​
  • David Aspin​, Director of the Future and Co-Founder of Munroe K, Ingenuity​
16:00 - 16:35

Unlocking London: How start-ups can thrive in London’s dynamic ecosystem

Join this deep-dive session explaining London's complex smart city ecosystem, with a focus on highlighting the different pathways start-up's can navigate with the various partners in London.

  • Chair: Omid Shiraji, Chief Information Officer, Newham City Council
  • David Grasty, Corporate Head of Digital Strategy & Portfolio, South London Partnership & LOTI
  • Abdul Rahim, Chief Innovation Officer, SHIFT
  • Pru Ashby, Head of Sustainability, London & Partners
  • Peter Runacres, Head of Urban Futures, The Earls Court Development Company

Unlocking economic growth through AI, data and digital twins

09:00 - 09:35

How can we build a human smart city?

The session will showcase how UK cities support people-centred, technology-enabled, sustainable, creative and inclusive innovation through aligning strategy, policy infrastructure, financial support system and other incentives to bolster a vibrant ecosystem within the city.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Lloyd Broad, Head of European and International Affairs, Birmingham City Councilu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eSally Herbert, Service and Transport Manager, Newcastle City Councilu003cbru003eDr Adrian Johnston MBE, Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfastu003cbru003eMike Wright West Midlands, Innovation Board Chair, West Midlands Combine Authorityu003cbru003eCassandra Gardiner, Head of Digital Innovation u0026amp; Change, London Borough of Redbridge
10:00 - 10:35

Thames Freeport: Smart city innovation as a key driver of regeneration and economic development

Discover how smart city technologies and global innovation collaboration led by Thames Freeport and partners are catalysing urban regeneration, stimulating economic growth and delivering new benefits for communities.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Alex Cousins, Director of Regional Engagement, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eFreyja Lockwood, Digital Transformation Programme Manager, West of England Combined Authorityu003cbru003eMartin Whiteley, Chief Executive Officer, Thames Freeportu003cbru003eBas Boorsma, Founder u0026amp; Partner, Urban Innovation Globalu003cbru003eIbrahim Mohammed, Freeports Advisor at Department of Business and Trade u0026amp; Associate Director for Freeports at Connected Places Catapult
11:00 - 11:35

Tees Valley Combined Authority: Harnessing the boundless opportunities of digital trade

Explore how local places and city regions can leverage digital trade, expand global reach, boost competitiveness and navigate regulations. The panel will cover strategies, challenges and opportunities of true digital trade.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Craig Walton, Chief Digital Officer, Tees Valley Combined Authorityu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eSiobhan McArdle, Chair, Tees Valley Business Board, Tees Valley Combined Authorityu003cbru003eDavid Hughes, Associate Dean - Research and Innovation, Teesside Universityu003cbru003eIbrahim Mohammed, Freeports Advisor at Department of Business and Trade u0026amp; Associate Director for Freeports at Connected Places Catapult
12:00 - 12:35

Building bridges: National data sharing for a collaborative and inclusive digital future

Explore how national data sharing infrastructure, digital twins, and regional initiatives and efforts drive collaboration, resilience, and inclusivity in the UK's digital future.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Justin Anderson, Director of Digital Twin Hub, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eFreyja Lockwood, Digital Transformation Programme Manager, West of England Combined Authorityu003cbru003eHannah Tune, Intelligent Transport Systems Manager, Transport for Greater Manchesteru003cbru003eRaj Mack, Head of Digital City and Innovation, Birmingham City Councilu003cbru003eNick Turner, Data and Digital Lead, SHIFT
13:00 - 13:35

How Liverpool City Region is using Digital Twins and AI to address real-world challenges and create commercial opportunities

Hear from the University of Liverpool, STFC Hartree and CGA Simulation who are utilising a proprietary digital twin (Meta Liverpool), AI, quantum computing and bespoke simulations to address some of societyÕs biggest challenges and create economical advantage

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Dr Patrick Ballantyne, University of Liverpoolu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eKyle Hatchard, Digital Innovation Lead, STFC Hartree Centreu003cbru003eDr Konstantin Vikhorev, Chief Technology Officer, University of Liverpoolu003cbru003eJon Wetherall, Managing Director, CGA Simulationu003cbru003eDanielle Carrington, Invest u0026amp; Internalisation: Digital u0026amp; Creative, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
14:00 - 14:35

Nexus University of Leeds: The role of digital twins in reimagining a connected place

As our cities become smarter and more connected, digital twins are playing a crucial role as decision making tools for industry, Government and academia. This panel explores how digital twins help us plan, manage, and improve our cities to become more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of residents.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Megan McElroy​, Marketing u0026amp; Communications Manager, University of Leeds​u003c/strongu003eu003cbru003eDan Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer at Digital Twin Consortium and Chief Technology Officer at Object Management Groupu003cstrongu003eu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eDennis Dokter, Manager Data and Insights - Smart Cities Lead, Nexus University of Leedsu003cbru003eKatherine Bavage, Programme Development Lead, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
15:00 - 15:35

Manchester City Council: Achieving net zero through sustainable regeneration.

Discover how Manchester's Wythenshawe neighbourhood is pioneering a sustainable, equitable transition to net zero. Learn about innovative strategies for integrating mobility, infrastructure, community engagement, and placemaking. Gain insights from their experiences and lessons learned, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Sherelle Fairweather, Digital Strategy Lead, Manchester City Councilu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eAndrew Blore​, Strategic IT Business Partner, Manchester City Council​u003cbru003eClare Kenyon, Highways Development Specialist, Manchester City Councilu003cbru003eHayley Fails​, Assistant Director of Infrastructure and Environment, Manchester City Council​
16:00 - 16:35

West Yorkshire ambition: how integrated transport will drive inclusive economic growth and social value

With a planned multi-billion pound pipeline of transport investment to connect its cities, West Yorkshire shares how it wants to use this to upskill, create jobs, innovate and unlock opportunity.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Stacey White, Mass Transit - Head of Place and Consents, West Yorkshire Combined Authorityu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eSimon Warburton, Executive Director for Transport, West Yorkshire Combined Authorityu003cbru003eSally Herbert, Service and Transport Manager, Newcastle City Councilu003cbru003eErik Thomasson, Research and Innovation Development Manager, Institute Transport Studies​
17:00 - 17:35

Newcastle: Working together to create and connect places within cities

This panel will explore how co-designing a shared vision and priorities can help reshape a city's fabric, blending innovation, community, and infrastructure to create spaces where people and businesses thrive.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Sam Markey, Ecosystem Director, Place Leadership, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eSally Herbert, Service and Transport Manager, Newcastle City Councilu003cbru003eJohn Seager, Estates Director, Newcastle Helixu003cbru003eLiz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities, Sunderland City Councilu003cbru003eRob Leech, Interim Director of Mass Transit, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Creating an inclusive, sustainable and better connected urban future

09:00 - 09:35

Beyond Connectivity: 5G as a city-wide innovation enabler

Advanced wireless technologies can enable a host of innovative practices in cities, from enabling better social and housing services, to making cities more attractive places for industry. In this panel we will explore how three cities are proactively engaging with 5G technologies to drive change and transformation.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Megan Lawless, Senior Digital Strategy Officer, Manchester City Councilu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003ePhil Swan, Director of Digital, Greater Manchester Combined Authorityu003cbru003eMark McCann, City Innovation Manager, Belfast City Councilu003cbru003eGurpreet Muctor, Chief Data and Technology Officer, Westminster City Council
09:45 - 10:15

The role of testbeds and evidence creation in smart cities

Connectivity Track : 5G Innovation

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Alex Cousins, Director of Regional Engagement, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eTom White, Innovation and Net Zero Director, Thames Freeportu003cbru003eSimon Warbuton, Exec Director for Transport, West Yorkshire Combined Authorityu003cbru003eKyle Hatchard, Digital Innovation Lead, STFC Hartree
10:15 - 10:45

The role of testbeds and evidence creation in smart cities

Digital Twins Enabled Through Better Digital Infrastructure.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Ryan Goodman, Connected Digital Twins Team Lead, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eKatharine Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, Tech West Midlandsu003cbru003eNick Turner, Data and Digital Lead, SHIFTu003cbru003eDennis Dokter, Manager Data and Insights - Smart Cities Lead, Nexus University of Leeds
11:00 - 11:45

Digital infrastructure for enablement of Smart City programmes

Explore challenges and solutions to ensure digital infrastructure isu003cbru003esecure, scalable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the city and its citizens.

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Justin Anderson, Director of Digital Twin Hub, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eTrevor Dorling, Director Digital Greenwich, London Borough of Greenwichu003cbru003eFreyja Lockwood, Digital Transformation Programme Manager, West of England Combined Authorityu003cbru003eCharlotte Thompson, Project Director, Sheffield Innovation Spine u003cbru003eRaj Mack, Head of Digital City and Innovation, Birmingham City Council

Green Agora Stage

10:45 - 11:30

The power of a connected place to generate growth, inclusion and innovation

A connected place is where more than just people, infrastructure, economy and planet come together. It’s also where the digital world, new modes of transport and mobility, and exciting new networks for trade and exchange coincide.u003cbru003eJoin us for a discussion on what the future and benefits of connected places are.   

  • u003cstrongu003eChair: Alex Cousins, Director of Regional Engagement, Connected Places Catapultu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eMike Wright, Chair West Midlands Innovation Board, West Midlands Combined Authorityu003cbru003eDr Adrian Johnston MBE, Belfast Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfastu003cbru003eMartin Whiteley, Chief Executive Office, Thames Freeport