Istanbul Expo Center Launches Strategic Growth Move with New Hall Construction

Istanbul Fair Center (İFM) has made a strategic move for growth with a new 40,000-square-meter hall investment.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) Chairman and Istanbul World Trade Center (İDTM) Vice Chairman Şekib Avdagic stated, "We have laid the foundation for one of Europe's most significant additional fair hall investments at Istanbul Fair Center (İFM). When the new hall construction is completed, İFM's capacity will increase by 40 percent and it will move forward with confidence to become the region's most effective fair venue."

According to a written statement from İTO, Avdagic announced that construction has begun on a new two-story fair area totaling 40,000 square meters at İFM. He noted that Istanbul Fair Center (İFM), which operates 11 fair halls within İDTM, has succeeded in ranking among Europe's leading fair centers through comprehensive infrastructure and technology investments.

Avdagic said, "Following our assumption of operations for all our halls and acquisition of their deeds, we have initiated construction of an additional fair hall for the first time in 18 years. With this project, we will complete the first phase of our expansion, bringing our total fair area to 140,000 square meters."

Avdagic noted that one of Europe's most significant additional fair hall investments is being launched at Istanbul Fair Center, and that capacity will increase by 40 percent once the new hall construction is completed.

Avdagic stated, "İFM is moving forward with confidence to become the region's most effective fair venue. With the expansion project that will bring our total fair area to 140,000 square meters, we will cross a strategic threshold in making Istanbul one of the world's leading fair centers."

"73 fairs already scheduled for 2026"
Avdagic expressed that they will make the most of the shift in direction toward Istanbul following economic and geopolitical fluctuations in Europe and the uncertainty created by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Şekib Avdagic noted that Istanbul Fair Center, located within İDTM, has succeeded in ranking among not only Turkey's but also Europe's leading fair centers through major infrastructure and technology investments. Avdagic said, "Since the 2026 calendar has already been arranged, we estimate the number of fairs will be 73 and the area used will be 2,536,000 square meters. The increase in square meter usage stems from our hosting of larger-scale and more comprehensive events and the inclusive fair approach we have implemented from the beginning. This shows we are moving step by step toward our target."

"With Private 5G, we have strengthened İFM's power in the global arena"
Avdagic noted that they deployed Turkey's first private 5G infrastructure in the fair sector in 2025, saying, "With Private 5G, we have advanced İFM's digital infrastructure ahead of leading fair centers in Europe and strengthened its power in the global arena. On the other hand, we have provided an important service for our visitors and built the İFM Bridge over Ayamama Creek. Thus we have facilitated pedestrian access between the E-5 Metrobus line and Istanbul Fair Center."

Avdagic emphasized that the most important fair hosted in İFM halls is undoubtedly IDEF – International Defense Industry Fair, the jewel of Turkish defense industry, stating, "The holding of IDEF at Istanbul Fair Center once again demonstrated İFM's capacity to host large-scale international events."

Avdagic also noted that within Istanbul Fair Center, a new meeting and event space called İFM Board composed of next-generation meeting rooms and multipurpose halls was put into service in 2025. He added, "Istanbul Fair Center became a member of the European Fair Centers Association in 2025. I am confident that this membership will enable closer cooperation with fair centers in Europe and advance İFM one step ahead in the region."

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