İZFAŞ to Bring Europe Together in 2026

The city of fairs, İzmir, is preparing to host a major event in 2026. İZFAŞ, the fair organization company of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, will bring the industry together with the UFI European Conference, one of the most prestigious events of the European exhibition industry. The event, scheduled for June 3–6, 2026, also aims to enhance the city’s international visibility.

Having brought the world to İzmir with the numerous fairs it organizes in various fields, İZFAŞ will host the UFI European Conference on June 3–6, 2026. Acting with the vision of making İzmir a hub for fairs and congresses, İZFAŞ will welcome over 300 senior representatives of exhibition venue operators, fair organizers, and service providers from across Europe and around the world. Within this scope, the city is also expected to host many international fair organizations and collaborations. The UFI European Conference was previously held in İzmir in 1966 and 1974.

A boost and prestige for İzmir’s exhibition industry

The UFI European Conference, one of the most prestigious events of the European exhibition industry, stands out as an effective ground and critical platform for professional networking, knowledge sharing, marketing opportunities, and keeping track of developments in the sector. Hosting the UFI European Conference—which will feature panels and workshops bringing Europe together—will provide significant momentum and prestige for Türkiye and İzmir’s exhibition industry. The conference also aims to further increase the international visibility of the city.

Announced in Thessaloniki

The İZFAŞ delegation—including Board Member and General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, İZFAŞ officials, and sector professionals from Türkiye—attended the UFI European Conference held in Thessaloniki on June 4–7, 2025. During the conference, it was announced that İZFAŞ would host the UFI European Conference in 2026, and all participants were invited.

In the main sessions, İZFAŞ Board Member and General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu took part as a speaker in the panel titled “The Impact of Global Trade Wars on European Fairs.” Cumalıoğlu spoke about the positive impacts and reflections of the global trade wars—triggered by the United States’ high tariffs on China—on fairs organized in Europe and Türkiye.