By Beto Marcelino, founding partner of iCities
With each edition of Smart City Expo Curitiba, something within me is renewed. Those who follow closely know: we are not just organizing an event, we are writing a history of urban transformation for the sake of a greater quality of life for people. When we look back and see how much we have grown since 2018, it’s impossible not to feel emotional – but we never become complacent. Our commitment has always been clear: learn, improve, and innovate. Always.
The 2025 edition, which has just concluded, was historic – and not just because of the record attendance. More than 22,000 people, from 25 countries and 600 Brazilian municipalities, passed through Ligga Arena (a football stadium!) in three days of intense connection. But what stood out the most for me was seeing the reflection of a mindset that we practice daily at iCities: the growth mindset. A way of thinking that understands that not everything will be perfect, but that everything can (and should) evolve.
The decision to change the event venue to Ligga Arena was a milestone. When I first stepped onto the field, even before we officially decided on the change, I thought to myself: “If we have a new venue, we can do something much bigger and more impactful” – always aiming to improve the quality of life of the citizens. And it wasn’t just the event that grew. Curitiba grows along with it. With each edition, the city evolves, transforms, and places itself on the global map of innovation.
And it was with this growth mindset and constant learning that, this year, we realized the importance of taking yet another step. The world is changing, and with it, the needs of smart cities.
Recently, we identified the need to expand the debates on economics in the context of smart cities, in a broader and more strategic way. We also noticed a significant movement in the global event scene: the so-called “side events,” parallel meetings to the main program, which have been gaining prominence for allowing more in-depth discussions, immersive experiences, and greater connection with different audiences. At Smart City Expo Curitiba, this trend has consolidated as an essential part of our plan.
And that’s how the Smart Brazil Economic Forum was born: a response to this new moment. A unique and qualified space to reflect on the economic directions of smart cities. The Forum was held on the very first day of the event and brought together major names from the national and international scene, such as economist Marcos Troyjo. And it was at that moment that, once again, we realized we were on the right track.
Witnessing the first drone delivery by Correios (the Brazilian postal service), the announcement of Paraná’s first GovTech hub, and the plan for the redevelopment of Curitiba’s central area shows that our work has a real impact. None of this would be possible without a team that learns with each edition, that embraces challenges and believes that there is always a next, better version of everything we have already accomplished. Constant learning is not a slogan, but a daily practice.
Seeing this team reinvent itself year after year is, for me, the greatest inspiration. There are things that only time and dedication reveal: like the sparkle in the eyes of those behind the scenes, the courage to be open to making mistakes and try again, and the humility to listen and adjust wherever needed. It is these attitudes that make Smart City Expo Curitiba increasingly relevant – not only for Curitiba, but for Brazil and the world. In this edition, we even had appearances in the international press, reaching from Europe to Latin America.
The legacy we leave this year for the capital of Paraná is concrete. But it is also, above all, a reminder that true innovation comes with continuous effort. The city transforms itself when people transform themselves. And that’s what moves me: knowing that we are helping to build more humane, more sustainable, happier cities – and that this will never be a finished mission. There will always be a next, better version of it all.
The 2026 edition already has a date set. But, more than looking at the calendar, we look inward. What can we do better? What have we not yet been able to achieve? What dreams can still come true? It’s wonderful that these questions never end and serve us as our guide to keep our eyes on the future!
Beto Marcelino is the Managing Partner at iCities, a pioneering Brazilian company in smart cities. He was a contributing rapporteur for the Brazilian Charter for Smart Cities, developed by the Ministry of Regional Development (MDR). Holding a degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and a specialization in Marketing from FAE Business School, he also participated in the Cities 4.0 program of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations, and Communications, helping to shape the National Smart Cities Policy. Additionally, he serves as Manager of Smart City Expo Curitiba and is an ambassador for Fira Barcelona in Brazil.
Social Media:
Instagram: @beto_1972 @icities_smarthub
LinkedIn: Beto Marcelino
Beto Marcelino serves as Chairman of the Board for iCities Group. He is the co-founder of the Brazilian holding company, a benchmark in the urban innovation and smart cities ecosystem. As a pioneering agent in this field, he was one of the rapporteurs for the Brazilian Charter of Smart Cities, an initiative by the Ministry of Cities, and also participated in the Cities 4.0 program, from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations (MCTI), contributing to the construction of the National Policy for Smart Cities.
He holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), with a specialization in smart cities from Smart City Expert, and an MBA in Marketing from FAE Business School. He is also an ambassador for Fira Barcelona in Brazil, strengthening the connection between global events and the Brazilian urban context.
