By hosting the largest regional conference in the 101-year history of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), İzmir brought together nearly 400 industry professionals from 36 countries, further strengthening its position in the international exhibition sector.
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ at Fuar İzmir, the UFI European Conference concluded successfully. Described by UFI Regional Director for Europe Nick Dugdale-Moore as “the largest regional conference in UFI’s 101-year history,” the event welcomed nearly 400 exhibition industry professionals from 36 countries. Throughout the conference, participants attended sessions on the future of the exhibition industry, business meetings, and networking events, while İzmir hosted some of the most influential representatives of the global exhibition community.
“A Source of Pride”
İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu expressed her satisfaction at welcoming a major UFI event back to İzmir after 52 years.“Throughout history, İzmir has been a center of trade, cultural exchange, and international gatherings. With more than a century of exhibition experience, our city is also home to the İzmir International Fair, the first exhibition in Türkiye to be admitted to UFI membership. Hosting the UFI European Conference in İzmir once again after many years has reaffirmed our city’s strong position within the global exhibition network and its deep-rooted organizational culture.”
Cumalıoğlu noted that the conference’s record-breaking attendance made the event particularly meaningful.
“Bringing together exhibition organizers, industry professionals, and decision-makers from around the world, this gathering provided a valuable platform for shaping a shared vision for the future of the exhibition industry. We believe the international interaction generated during the conference will contribute significantly to new collaborations, long-term partnerships, and cross-sector knowledge sharing.”
She added that the synergy created by the conference would further enhance İzmir’s international visibility, attract new event opportunities, and strengthen its global industry connections.
“Experiencing the City and Its Culture Contributed to the Conference’s Success”
Reflecting on the event, UFI CEO Chris Skeith OBE expressed his delight with the time spent in İzmir, noting that participants’ enthusiasm for experiencing the city, its culture, and Türkiye played an important role in the conference’s success.
Skeith emphasized that bringing the global exhibition community together in Türkiye’s unique environment added significant value to the event.
Highlighting UFI’s role in connecting the exhibition industry for more than a century, he noted that such gatherings allow professionals to learn from one another, share best practices, build networks, and lay the foundations for future partnerships. According to Skeith, the conference in İzmir successfully achieved these objectives, enabling participants not only to exchange knowledge but also to develop relationships that could evolve into future business collaborations.
He stressed that the experiences gained and connections established in İzmir would provide lasting value to participants’ organizations and professional activities.
Thanking everyone involved in the successful delivery of the conference, Skeith said he hoped to return to İzmir in the future and described hosting such an event in Türkiye as a privilege.
“The Largest Regional Conference in UFI’s 101-Year History”
UFI Regional Director for Europe Nick Dugdale-Moore recalled visiting İzmir for the first time last year and immediately sensing that the conference would be something special.
“This week, we welcomed more than 400 delegates to İzmir. It has become the largest regional conference in UFI’s 101-year history.”
Dugdale-Moore noted that İzmir left a strong impression on attendees, who particularly appreciated the city’s unique combination of historical heritage and modern lifestyle. He added that İzmir’s hospitality and the overall experience played a major role in the conference’s success, with delegates from across the world leaving the city with highly positive impressions.
İZFAŞ and Fuar İzmir Receive High Praise
Evaluating the organization process, Dugdale-Moore highlighted the quality of services provided by İZFAŞ and the attention given to operational details.
He also noted that Fuar İzmir received widespread praise from international participants. The venue’s architecture, functionality, and facilities impressed visitors from across Europe. According to Dugdale-Moore, exhibition venue managers and operators had the opportunity to closely examine the facility and concluded that Fuar İzmir possesses the qualities of one of the leading exhibition venues not only in Europe but in the world.
A Chance to Discover İzmir Up Close
The UFI European Conference brought together leading figures of the international exhibition industry in İzmir and concluded as a landmark event that further strengthened the city’s position within the global exhibition ecosystem.
Alongside conference sessions, business meetings, technical visits, and networking activities, participants from around the world had the opportunity not only to discuss the future of the exhibition industry but also to experience İzmir’s history, culture, and lifestyle firsthand.
Through visits to sites such as the Ancient City of Ephesus, Agora, Urla, Çeşme, Kemeraltı Bazaar, and the Historic Elevator, delegates gained a deeper understanding of the city. Returning home with new business contacts and collaboration opportunities, participants helped ensure that the conference made a significant contribution to İzmir’s visibility within the international exhibition community.
