Texworld Istanbul sees significant decline in attendance for second edition

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Apr 24, 2015

From April 7-9 in Istanbul, Messe Frankfurt’s Turkish event brought together over 3,000 professionals for its second edition (5,248 for its first edition last November). The decline in attendance could partially be explained by dates chosen in the middle of Easter week, which should lead to a change of schedule for spring 2016. In the meantime, the event intends to introduce apparel as part of its range. 

The 75,400 square-foot Lüfit Kirdar International Convention and Exhibitions Center welcomed over one hundred exhibitors. Organizers would like to keep the location, while looking for earlier dates, although they would like to avoid holding the event too close to its flagship show, Intertextile. 

"We are going to look for a more appropriate date for next year," said the President of Messe Frankfurt France, Michael Scherpe, "while continuing to develop this event, which enjoys an appealing market, and which only needs to be further developed. In Turkey, there is no trade show to match the size of the market and its range. So there’s still work for everyone to do." 

But without waiting for spring 2016, Texworld Istanbul could introduce apparel to its range in November. The move would be made without involving the Parisian trade show Apparel Sourcing and would result in the presence of twenty or so companies from the sector. The event will continue forward with its promotional campaign in surrounding countries. 

"In addition to returning countries, there are others who would like to take the plunge," said Michael Scherpe, who offers a very recent example. "Yesterday I was in Romania, where professionals already have strong ties to Turkey and are interested in establishing a presence in Istanbul."