Izmir Continues to Grow Through Fairs

The fairs organized at Fuar İzmir, managed by İZFAŞ, a subsidiary of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, directly contribute to the Turkish economy and especially to exports. Thanks to the international fairs held at Fuar İzmir, companies gain access to new markets, establish commercial partnerships, and promote the national brand on a global scale. With buyer delegation programs and sectoral B2B meetings, the fairground is positioned not only as an exhibition space but also as a platform for trade.

Izmir, the hub of Türkiye’s fair industry, achieved remarkable success in the first half of 2025 with the fairs it hosted. Organized either directly by İZFAŞ or in cooperation with other fair companies under the auspices of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, these events brought together hundreds of participating companies, thousands of industry representatives, and business professionals at Fuar İzmir. The events significantly contributed to the city’s and the country’s economy, exports, and employment.

Exports Exceed 12 Billion Dollars in 6 Months

According to export statistics of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye by province, Izmir ranked as the third-largest exporting city in the country during the first six months. Between January and June 2025, Türkiye’s overall exports rose by 4.1%, reaching 131.44 billion dollars. In the same period, Izmir’s exports—supported by the fairs—reached 12.143 billion dollars. Izmir’s share in Türkiye’s total exports during this time was approximately 9.24%.

Fuar İzmir Hosts Türkiye’s Leading Fairs

In the first half of this year, under the auspices of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, 10 major fairs and numerous events were held at Fuar İzmir—the country’s largest and most modern exhibition center—and Kültürpark. These fairs, which connect Izmir and its industries with the world, supported the city’s goal of becoming an international center for trade and culture, while also offering new opportunities for the business community and visitors.

During this period, the following fairs and events were held at Fuar İzmir and Kültürpark: OPTICWORLD – Optical, Eyewear, Ophthalmology and Technologies Fair; IMATECH – Industrial Production Technologies Fair; MARBLE İZMİR – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair; İZKİTAP FEST – Izmir Book Fair; MAST Izmir Boat Show – Boats, Equipment, and Marine Accessories Fair; IAAF İzmir – Izmir Art and Antique Fair; WENERGY – Clean Energy Technologies Fair and Conference; First Lego League local and national tournaments; World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Türkiye Final; AGROEXPO – International Agriculture and Livestock Fair; HORECA Fair – International Hotel, Restaurant, Café, Bakery, Laundry Equipment, Hospitality, and Accommodation Technologies Fair; HORECA Fair – International Out-of-Home Consumption Products Fair; PACK PLAST – Packaging, Plastics, Industry and Technologies Fair.

These fairs and events, with hundreds of participating companies, hosted tens of thousands of visitors from across Türkiye and more than 100 countries, generating millions of dollars in added value that contributed to the economy, employment, and exports of both the city and the country.

Dozens of Fairs to be Held in the Second Half of the Year—From Fashion to Tourism

Izmir will continue to host numerous fairs and global events in the second half of the year. Among them are the 94th Izmir International Fair (August 29 – September 9), MINEX – International Mining, Natural Resources and Technologies Fair (September 3–6), INTERFRESH EURASIA – Fruits, Vegetables, Packaging, Storage, Logistics, Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Fair (September 18–20), EXPO SPORT – Sports Fair (September 25–28), LOGISTECH – Logistics, Storage, and Technologies Fair (October 8–10), IZFURNEX – Izmir Furniture Fair (October 8–12), İZKİTAP FEST – Autumn Izmir Book Fair (October 17–26), BEAUTY EXPO – Izmir Aesthetics, Cosmetics, and Beauty Fair (October 19–21), FASHION PRIME – Textile, Ready-to-Wear Suppliers, and Technologies Fair (October 22–24), INTERMODA – Footwear Fair (October 22–24), MOTTA – Motor Vehicles Fair (November 5–9), TTI IZMIR – International Tourism Trade Fair & Congress (December 3–5), and TTI HEALTH – Health Tourism Fair (December 3–5).

In the second half of the year, many fairs—especially the 94th Izmir International Fair—are expected to host hundreds of thousands of visitors. With its strong position in the exhibition and events sector, Izmir will continue to attract international attention, contribute to the city’s economic vitality, and support Türkiye’s export targets.