Two fairs of the Turkish printing and signage industry announced that they are postponing 2020 editions. Sign Istanbul 2020, which is planned to be organized in TÜYAP on September 17 – 20, and FESPA Eurasia 2020, which will take place at IFM on December 3 – 6, have been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its ongoing effects. In the statement made by both fairs, it was emphasized that the demands from the participants were taken into consideration. However, it was also noted that the two fair managers who came together at the invitation of Selahattin Aygüler, Pimms Group Chairman of the Board of Directors, mutually took this decision.
September 9-12, 2021 was announced as the new date for the postponed Sign Istanbul. Tarsus Turkey General Manager Zekeriya Aytemur said that after the consultations with industry members and participants, they decided to postpone this year’s fair to next year due to the pandemic. Aytemur stated that they started to work for this year’s event after Sign Istanbul 2019, which was completed with great success, and noted that they have worked for the realization of this year’s fair even under pandemic conditions. Reminding that the fair was converted into a hybrid format for this reason, Aytemur disclosed that they had declared that they would open the fair to 147 participating companies until the last moment.
Advisory Board decision
Aytemur informed that they formed an “Advisory Board” with industry members, taking into account the concerns expressed by all sector stakeholders, especially participating companies. Aytemur relayed that, in line with the recommendation decision of the board and the opinions received from all companies participating in the fair; it was concluded that the current conditions are not sufficient for a successful fair; and that the postponement of the fair to the next year would be in the interest of the industry.
Sign Istanbul, which will take place at TÜYAP on September 9-12, 2021; is preparing to bring together the manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and importers of the signage and digital printing industry; as well as all the components of the industry in its 22nd edition.
New date for FESPA Eurasia 2021
FESPA Eurasia, which is closely followed by the industry as the last fair of 2020; was postponed to December 2-5, 2021 due to the pandemic. The fair in 2019 broke a record with more than 10 thousand visitors. Ahmet Özdemirel, President of the Sign Association of Turkey (ARED), the partner of FESPA Eurasia; stated that despite the measures and preparations taken; the Covid-19 pandemic is progressing negatively all over the world. Relaying that the decision was taken to postpone the fair in order to protect the health of the participants; Özdemirel continued his words as follows;
“The decision to postpone was made by our board of directors in line with the requests from our participants. What matters to us is the health of our exhibitors and visitors. We will have the most important meeting of the sector in 2021 with all enthusiasm. Turkey’s industry leaders and global brands, the latest technologies and applications will be exhibiting in 2021 at FESPA Eurasia”.