In an exclusive interview with İlhan Ersözlü, CEO of Tüyap Fuarlar Yapım A.Ş., we delve into the remarkable journey and vision behind the Carpet and Flooring Expo (CFE). This dynamic initiative, born out of collaboration with esteemed organizations such as the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association (IHİB) and the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Association (GAHİB), aims to catapult Turkey, a global hub of carpet production, into the epicentre of the carpet industry.
Turkey, renowned for its production prowess and innovative designs in the carpet sector, is poised not only to be an industry pioneer but also a major player in international markets. CFE emerges as a pivotal platform to empower the Turkish carpet industry in its quest for global recognition, market expansion, and increased exports.
Tüyap Fuarcılık’s Journey to Organize the Carpet and Flooring Expo
As Tüyap, we set out in cooperation with the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association (IHİB) and the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Association (GAHİB) to turn Turkey, which is the heart of the world’s carpet production, into the fair center of the carpet industry.
The Turkish carpet industry, beside pioneering the global carpet industry with its production capabilities and designs, will also be a key actor in international markets and also a prominent hub of trade fairs. This fair will support the Turkish carpet industry in its quest to reach its well-earned place in the world and increase its market share as well as the number of exporters.
In addition, we aim to become the world’s number 1 fair in its field within 5 years by equipping large, medium and small-scale carpet producers in Turkey with the necessary means. Turkey’s leading carpet producers from various cities, including Gaziantep, Istanbul, Uşak, Manisa and Izmir, will be participating in the fair. Our fair will make a significant contribution to tourism revenues by both displaying the true strength of the Turkish carpet industry and attracting thousands of foreign visitors to Istanbul.
A Glance into Tüyap’s Other Events and Fairs
We will be, on a national level, participating in the Warsaw International Home Textile and Decoration Fair, which will be held on 7-10 November 2023.
The Warsaw Home Textile Fair, which will be exhibiting upholstery, decorative fabrics, curtains, tulle and accessories, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen home textile products, dowry and carpet products, is a key event gathering professionals from the home textile and furniture industries.
During the fair, the participants will have the opportunity to exchange views and share their experiences with companies and experts in their respective industries, while also having the chance to do business with European buyers.
Additionally, in the field of textile, we organize the IGM and ITM Fairs every other year in cooperation with the International Istanbul Yarn Fair and Teknik Fuarcılık.
Turkey’s Dominance in the Global Carpet Market:
A USD 17 Billion Success Story
Turkey holds a 17 percent share in the global carpet market which is valued at USD 17 billion. Thanks to its high production and import capacities, Turkey is well-positioned in the machine-made and handmade carpet industry.
During the first half of 2023, the industry earned USD 1 billion 280 million 888 thousand in revenues by exporting 291 million 373 thousand square meters of carpet. Our carpet producers have demonstrated a successful performance on a global level by exporting their products to 185 countries. Gaziantep, a city which boasts a very high number of participants in CFE, is the leading city with the largest share in carpet exports in Turkey with a share that reached USD 856 million 30 thousand.
Iran Joins the International Carpet Fair
We are trying to allocate the exhibition area to all of the countries that want to participate in the fair. Iran, a valuable country that has a proven track record in global carpet production, is one of the countries participating in the fair.
Every country taking part in our fair enriches our event. As CFE, we are proud to contribute to the growth of the carpet industry by ensuring participants from 17 countries.
Istanbul: The Strategic Hub for the Global Carpet and Flooring Fair
By organizing this fair in Istanbul, which is by itself a unique city with its prominent location in the global trade routes, rich history and natural beauties, we aim to turn Istanbul into the leading city of global carpet markets that shapes the trends in the carpet and flooring industries. Thanks to the fair, Istanbul will become the international gathering place of the carpet industry. Carpet manufacturers in Turkey and around the world will, from now on, showcase their products in Istanbul.
Carpet and Flooring Expo in Numbers
We expect more than 350 companies from Turkey and abroad to participate in the fair. The fair will take place in 8 halls spanning a total area of 100 thousand square meters. We are expecting participants from 17 countries, including Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, and Kuwait.
Marketing Strategies and Expectations for the Carpet and Flooring Expo
We expect a high number of visitors, especially from America, Europe, North Africa and Scandinavia. We anticipate that more than 20 thousand professional business people from 52 countries will visit the fair this year. Additionally, we believe that the fair will increase carpet exports from Turkey by 20-25 percent. We have ongoing effective marketing campaigns both in Turkey and abroad.
In addition to our collaboration with sectoral press and media, we also advertise on billboards and publish web ads and carry out international promotional activities regarding our fair. We have a wide range of active promotion and marketing activities, especially in Europe, America, the MENA region and sub-Saharan countries.
CFE offers industry players an ideal opportunity to increase interest in their products and create an even stronger influence on visitors’ choices. The Carpet and Flooring Expo, which aims to be the number 1 fair of the Turkish carpet industry in the world, will be open to visitors at Istanbul Expo Center between 5-8 December.
.){kind=link}