SMOPYC 2026 held its final Organizing Committee meeting this Wednesday to analyze the results of the event, which took place last April at the Zaragoza Trade Fair. The meeting was held in the Patio de la Infanta (Ibercaja Foundation) and served to review the leading International Exhibition of Construction, Public Works, and Mining Machinery in Southern Europe.

The meeting was attended by members of the Committee, as well as Miguel Ángel Arminio, Director General of Roads and Infrastructure for the Government of Aragon, and Núria Aymerich, Special Commissioner for Industrial and SME Competitiveness at the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

During the meeting, in addition to evaluating the main milestones and results of the 2026 edition, the appointment of João Hébil, Managing Director Spain & Portugal of Manitou, as the new president of the SMOPYC Organizing Committee was formalized. Hébil thus assumes the presidency of the body responsible for defining the event's strategy for its next edition. The work of Stoian Markov, who is stepping down after several years of dedication and commitment leading the Committee, was also recognized and thanked.

The best edition since 2011

SMOPYC 2026 registered growth in all its indicators. The event brought together 62,124 professional visitors, representing a 23.2% increase compared to the previous edition. The fair also reached 107,383 square meters of occupied space, 26.7% more than in 2023.

In the commercial sphere, 1,055 exhibitors from 31 countries participated, representing a growth of 28.6%. International presence was once again one of the event's greatest assets, both in terms of exhibitor participation and the origin of the professional visitors, who boosted business opportunities.

During the Committee meeting, the exhibitors' impressions were also shared. Following surveys, 85% stated that they had met their participation objectives, compared to 70% in the previous edition. The main factors driving this participation were improved brand positioning, positive experiences in previous editions, and opportunities to expand both the national and international markets.

Furthermore, 86% of exhibitors expressed their intention to participate again in SMOPYC 2029, and 91% felt that SMOPYC met their expectations. Among the main objectives of their visit are expanding business contacts, comparing suppliers and brands, acquiring equipment and machinery, and attending technical workshops and parallel activities.

Commitment to Talent and Generational Renewal

One of the key aspects discussed by the SMOPYC 2026 Organizing Committee was the strengthening of initiatives aimed at attracting young talent to the sector. In this regard, the significant growth in the presence of training centers and universities was highlighted. While seven group sessions and 299 participants were recorded in 2023, this year's event saw 25 group sessions and 842 attendees, nearly tripling the previous year's participation.

During the meeting, the New Talent Day, held in the Innovation Pavilion, was also emphasized. It brought together nearly two hundred 10th-grade students. This activity allowed young people to learn firsthand about the professional opportunities offered by the sector. The initiative was complemented by the roundtable discussion “The Future of Construction: Talent, Innovation, and Transformation,” in which content creators from the sector shared their work experience within the industry.

Along the same lines, SMOPYC hosted the 2nd Future Professionals Competition, organized in conjunction with AFUPRO (European Association of Future Professionals), an initiative aimed at strengthening the links between the education system and the business sector. During the competition, students of machinery electromechanics and vehicle maintenance participated in various individual technical tests supervised by specialized tutors. More than 500 companies were present at this event to establish direct contact with students and faculty, generating career guidance and employment opportunities. Activities such as the “Discover Your Professional Future” workshop, aimed at secondary school students, were also held.

A program focused on innovation and sector development

Among the most highly valued initiatives of this edition, the Organizing Committee highlighted the Innovation Pavilion for its ability to bring together the main players in the sector around technology, sustainability, and development Talent. Located in Hall 9, this space, promoted by the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Construction, Public Works and Mining Machinery (ANMOPYC), in collaboration with ITA, PTEC and FENAEX, and with the participation of the ELEVA Alliance and the Construction Labor Foundation, brought together manufacturers, technology centers and organizations to address the main trends in digitalization, automation, new energies and safety.

In this context of promoting innovation, SMOPYC 2026 hosted a new edition of the traditional Technical Innovations Competition, which recognized the most advanced developments in the sector in:

• Design or performance innovation.
• Technology and digitalization.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Health and safety.
• Research and technological development.

In total, 27 activities were held over the four days, bringing together an average of more than 300 professionals per day, reaching a total of 1,200 attendees. The program included technical presentations, plenary sessions, reverse trade missions, roundtables, awards ceremonies, industry recognitions, board meetings, general assemblies, and private meetings.

A united sector to face the challenges of the future

The Organizing Committee agreed that the results of SMOPYC 2026 reinforce the fact that the trade show remains one of the leading European platforms for boosting the sector. Looking ahead to 2029, SMOPYC will continue working to address the industry's new challenges and generate business opportunities for all stakeholders.