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 Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay called for stronger international cooperation, saying, “Let us develop new collaborations, strengthen our international partnerships, and build the future together.”
İzmir, the birthplace of the exhibition industry in Türkiye, is hosting the UFI European Conference once again after a 52-year interval. Organized by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ between June 3–5, the conference welcomed nearly 400 exhibition professionals from 36 countries. Delivering his opening speech in English, moderated by renowned presenter Chloe Richardson, Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay expressed his pleasure in welcoming guests to the city.
Emphasizing that İzmir has historically been a meeting point for trade and cultures, Mayor Tugay stated:
“Hosting an international UFI event again after 52 years is a great source of pride for us. This gathering is not only a conference but also a strong indication that our city’s deep-rooted tradition in trade and exhibitions continues to thrive. The foundations of the exhibition industry in Türkiye were laid in this city more than a century ago, thanks to the vision of 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 define İzmir as the ‘City of Fairs.’”
Mayor Tugay Calls for Collaboration
Addressing participants directly, 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 numerous international specialized trade fairs in sectors ranging from marble to fashion, making it a globally significant meeting point.
Stating that the conference would address many topics shaping the future of the industry—from sustainability to AI-powered next-generation exhibition models—Tugay said:
“I believe the synergy created by more than 400 industry professionals from 36 countries will mark a new turning point for the global exhibition industry. I invite you to benefit from 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 international partnerships, and build the future together.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Mayor Tugay thanked UFI officials and İZFAŞ employees for their contributions to the organization and wished all participants a productive and successful conference. Following his remarks, he rang the conference’s traditional opening bell.
“The Highest-Attended Conference in Europe”
Nick Dugdale-Moore, UFI Regional Director for Europe, shared a noteworthy fact about the event in İzmir. Expressing his satisfaction with both the preparation process and the city’s hosting of the conference, Moore stated that this edition of the UFI European Conference achieved the highest attendance ever recorded for a UFI conference in Europe. He also thanked everyone who contributed to the event and all participants for their strong interest and support.
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 organizing in Türkiye were laid through the 1923 İzmir Economic Congress, gained a significant place in the international exhibition network when the İzmir International Fair was admitted to UFI membership in 1947.
More than half a century later, the UFI European Conference once again highlights İzmir’s rich exhibition heritage and strong position within the industry, bringing the city back into focus for the European exhibition sector. Throughout the program, guests had the opportunity to discover İzmir’s architectural heritage, urban culture, and vibrant bay life. Participants experienced the city from a unique perspective by exploring its historical and social fabric firsthand.