The show, which is held at the CNR Expo, Istanbul and mainly attracts visitors from Turkey and countries in the surrounding area, is this year taking place from 7 to 10 December.

90 exhibitors have so far signed up with 150 expected in total, and 10% have already increased their stand space from last year, with Roland DG, Optimum Digital, Summa and Brother among the big names. 

In spite of regional tensions last year, attendance figures hit a record high, with 9,774 visitors and 8,232 unique visitors. Fespa group exhibition manager Michael Ryan now believes that figure can hit the 10,000 mark and beyond at what he described as Fespa’s second-biggest annual event.

“We’ve moved to halls 8 and 4 at the venue and there are early indications that it’s being well received to date,” said Ryan.

“We had an incredible show last year. The optimism has been carried across this year and with relative stability in the market now we’re seeing growth once again. Those economic factors can have such an influence on exhibitions and they’re already in favour for this year and all the way to Istanbul.” 

As it celebrates its fifth anniversary, this year’s expo has been recognised in the category of International Trade Fair by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Exchange Commodities (TOBB), due to its increase in international visitor and exhibitor base over the last three years.

As with previous Fespa exhibitions, the event will emphasise learning, with seminar programmes and sign and graphics’ demonstration areas currently being finalised, and there will be a big stress on textile printing, in a country that Ryan described as Europe’s second-biggest textile printer behind Italy.

He added: “Turkey is an industrial manufacturing hub and you do see that. Locally they have a goal of being a leader in textile printing but you will see in terms of companies committing so far - lots of international companies - that they have direct-to-textile, garment printing and sublimation printing.”

“The market is such that you have distributors in these regions representing 10 to 12 brands and they do it because you have to have that local knowledge and support if you are going to be successful.

“As an international manufacturer if you’re not going to set up a subsidiary you have to have that initial local support.”