The UFI European Conference, hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ, brought together nearly 400 exhibition industry professionals from 36 countries at Fuar İzmir. Speaking at the opening of the conference, İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay called on participants to “develop new collaborations, strengthen our international partnerships, and build the future together.”

As the birthplace of the exhibition industry in Türkiye, İzmir is hosting the UFI European Conference once again after a 52-year interval. Organized by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ between 3 and 5 June, the conference welcomed nearly 400 exhibition professionals from 36 countries to Fuar İzmir. Delivering the opening remarks in English, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay expressed his pleasure at welcoming guests to the city. Emphasizing that İzmir has long been a meeting point for trade and cultures, he said: “Hosting an international UFI event once again after 52 years is a great source of pride for us. This gathering is not only a conference but also a powerful testament to the enduring strength of our city’s long-standing tradition in trade and exhibitions. The foundations of the exhibition industry in Türkiye were laid in this city more than a century ago through the vision of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic. The İzmir International Fair, whose history dates back to the early years of the Republic, became the first Turkish fair to gain UFI membership in 1947. That is why we proudly describe İzmir as the ‘City of Fairs.’”

Mayor Tugay Calls for Greater Collaboration
Addressing participants, Mayor Tugay highlighted that Fuar İzmir is Türkiye’s largest, most modern, and most advanced exhibition complex. He noted that, in addition to its strong technical infrastructure and high capacity, the venue hosts international trade fairs across a wide range of sectors, from natural stone and marble to fashion, making it a significant meeting point on a global scale. Tugay stated that the conference would address many of the topics shaping the future of the industry, from sustainability to next-generation exhibition models supported by artificial intelligence. “I believe that the synergy created by more than 400 industry professionals from 36 countries will mark a new milestone for the global exhibition industry. I invite you to take advantage of the strong infrastructure and opportunities offered by Fuar İzmir while also becoming part of İzmir’s culture of production and trade. Let us use this unique platform to develop new collaborations, strengthen our international partnerships, and build the future together.” At the conclusion of his remarks, Mayor Tugay thanked UFI representatives and İZFAŞ staff for their contributions to the organization and wished all participants a productive and successful conference. He then rang the conference’s traditional opening bell.

“The Best-Attended European Conference to Date”
Nick Dugdale-Moore, UFI Regional Director for Europe, shared a noteworthy milestone regarding the event in İzmir. Expressing his satisfaction with both the preparations and the hosting of the conference, he stated that this year’s UFI European Conference had achieved the highest attendance ever recorded for a UFI European Conference. He also thanked everyone who contributed to the organization and all participants for their strong engagement.

Showcasing İzmir’s Historical, Cultural and Tourism Assets
İzmir previously hosted UFI congresses in 1966 and 1974. The city, where the foundations of modern exhibition organization in Türkiye were laid with the İzmir Economic Congress of 1923, secured a prominent place within the international exhibition network when the İzmir International Fair became a UFI member in 1947. Following a break of more than half a century, the UFI European Conference once again highlights İzmir’s deep-rooted exhibition heritage and strong position within the European exhibition industry. Throughout the program, guests had the opportunity to discover İzmir’s architectural heritage, urban culture, and vibrant bay life. By experiencing the city firsthand and exploring its historical and social fabric, participants gained a unique perspective on İzmir.
 

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