Istanbul: no Texworld or Apparel Sourcing shows in March

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Feb 19, 2016

Messe Frankfurt has cancelled the two trade shows scheduled from 23rd to 25th March in Istanbul. The cancellation is due to Turkey's delicate political situation, as well as the decline in the number of Chinese exhibitors, the core of the show's offering, at a time when China is refocusing its activity. The next edition is scheduled from 19th to 21st  October.

"We are closely monitoring future developments, and we will be active again with our textile offering on this market once the circumstances will allow it," stated Olaf Schmidt, the show organiser's Textiles Vice-President. "In our position as the organiser of the largest selection of textile trade shows in the world, our faith in the Turkish market is still strong, and we are confident that, soon enough, the circumstances will change for the better."
 
The textiles and apparel sourcing trade shows were first held in Istanbul in autumn 2014. Two further editions then followed. The last edition was held in November 2015 and brought together 127 exhibitors from 8 countries, attracting 5,132 visitors from 49 countries to the Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The announcement was made while Texworld and Apparel Sourcing are currently holding, from 15th to 18th February, their main edition at the Le Bourget exhibition centre in Paris. The previous Paris winter session attracted nearly 14,000 professionals. The two shows also feature a New York edition, which brought together 310 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors in New York at the end of January.