Marble İzmir Fair Opens Tomorrow for the 30th Time
Ranked among the world’s top three fairs in its sector and serving as Turkey’s gateway to the global natural stone market, Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair will open its doors for the 30th time tomorrow (April 9, 2025). Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Dr. Cemil Tugay, stated, “The prestige that the Marble Fair, which has become a brand in our city of fairs for 30 years, brings to İzmir and our country is highly valuable.”
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, the world’s largest gathering in the natural stone industry, Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair will open its doors with a ceremony to be held at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow (April 9, 2025). With its high number of participants and visitors, as well as the vast exhibition area, Marble İzmir is among the most significant international natural stone fairs and will welcome visitors from all over the world to İzmir.
“Bringing Prestige to İzmir”
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized that Marble İzmir Fair, now in its 30th year, has become a symbol of İzmir. He said, “In our city of fairs, the Marble Fair has become a brand over the past 30 years and has added significant prestige to our city and country. Having consistently grown stronger over three decades, Marble İzmir has become a global gateway for the natural stone industry and plays a major role in revitalizing the economy and empowering the sector. It began its journey at Kültürpark with 47 local exhibitors in its first year and has since evolved into an international event hosting over a thousand participants from nearly 150 countries.”
Springtime Prosperity
Mayor Tugay noted that Turkey’s natural stone exports were $77 million during the fair’s first year, and have reached around $2 billion over time, with the fair playing a major role. “Our globally recognized fair also brings spring prosperity to İzmir for four days. It boosts commercial activities not only in the natural stone and related sectors but also benefits our city economically across all areas—from transportation to accommodation, dining, and small local businesses by attracting both domestic and international tourists. We will continue to grow and strengthen this valuable fair for many years to come,” he added.
Fuar İzmir Also Grows: Celebrating Its 10th Year!
While Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair marks its 30th year, Fuar İzmir, the dedicated fairground built specifically for Marble İzmir and the city's specialized fairs, is now celebrating its 10th year. Due to the increasing number of exhibitors, a larger venue was needed, leading to the foundation of Turkey’s largest fairground, Fuar İzmir. Having hosted successful specialty fairs for a decade, Fuar İzmir is once again ready to host this grand and long-established organization. In its more than 150,000 m² of indoor and outdoor space, companies—some of which have been participating for 20 to 30 years—are awaiting their visitors.
Four Days Filled with Awards, Workshops, and Talks
In celebration of its 30th year, Marble İzmir Fair will feature a variety of special events. On the first day of the fair, at 4:30 p.m. in the A Foyer area, following the 11:00 a.m. opening ceremony, the 7th International Different Natural Stone Design Competition Award Ceremony will be held, showcasing the transformation of young talents’ designs into finished stone products. The exhibition of these pieces will be available throughout the four-day fair in the same area.
On the second day of the fair (April 10, 2025), a talk titled "Determining the Slip Resistance of Natural Stones Used as Flooring" will be delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gültekin Coşkun from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the B Hall Event Stage. On the same stage, between 2:00 and 2:45 p.m., another session titled "The Role of Geological Heritage and Georoutes in the Development of the Karaburun Peninsula" will be presented by Prof. Dr. Alper Baba and Prof. Dr. Hülya Yüceer.
Additionally, two more significant talks will be held on the second day. From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the B Seminar Room, Funda Bekişoğlu (IMIB), Efe Nalbantoğlu (EMIB), and Ahmet Tekin (BAIB) will join moderator Korhan Nejat Bozkurt for a session titled “From the Homeland of Stone to the World: The Success Story of Turkish Stones.” At 3:00 – 3:45 p.m., Prof. Dr. Faruk Çalapkulu will discuss the timely topic "The New US Tax Move: Opportunity or Threat for the Natural Stone Sector?" on the B Hall Event Stage.
Workshops and Talks Continue on Day Three
On the third day (April 11, 2025), Dr. Aydın Apaydın will deliver a presentation titled "Utilization of Marble Sludge Waste in Building Material Production" from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the B Hall Event Stage. Later, between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m., Ali Pancarcı, a construction vocational teacher, will present a session on “Training Qualified Marble Workers: EU-Adapted Vocational Courses by the Ministry of Education.”
Workshop Registration at marble.izfas.com.tr
Throughout the fair, Marble İzmir will also host various workshops. On April 10–11, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the B Hall Event Area, Relief Workshop will be held with artist Bahar Sili. Additionally, Sculpture Workshop will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and an Interactive Mosaic Experience led by instructor Melike Ülker Erkan will take place between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Participation in these workshops will be limited and free registration can be done via marble.izfas.com.tr.