ICFE (International Carpet & Flooring Expo) -the global meeting point of the carpet industry- is preparing to open its doors for the third time at the Istanbul Fair Center on January 6–9, 2026.
Organized by Tüyap Exhibitions Group in collaboration with the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association (GAHİB) and the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association (İHİB), the fair, in addition to achieving record growth targets and attracting intense interest from six continents, will once again host the Carpet Workshop project, where 400 designers will present their special designs to win the World’s Most Distinctive Carpet award under the theme “My Work.” The prominent platform of the global carpet industry, ICFE has set ambitious targets for the 2026 event. Expanding as a result of increased demand from foreign exhibitors and growing market potential, ICFE will be held across 11 halls this year. The fair offers a strong exhibitor profile thanks to the great interest from local and international actors of the industry. This further reinforces the fair’s central position in the industry and its global reputation.
Inspirational creativity and design events
Visitors will be able explore various exhibitions showcasing the creative power of the industry during the fair. Exhibitors will display their newest collections in the design competition, and the designs that make it to the finals will be exhibited in the fair area. Additionally, special exhibitions presenting modern interpretations of traditional motifs and an event program bringing together industry professionals will also add value to the fair.
Carpet Talks will offer a comprehensive program structured around four main themes that shape the future of carpet design. During the first sessions, design trends and changing design methodologies will be addressed, discussing the differences in creative approaches in the industry. Traditional craftmanship will meet with modern aesthetics, and we will take a deep dive into the bond between the heritage of handmade works and contemporary design and the new values that this synthesis adds to the industry. There will also a section focused on the role of design in branding processes. During this section, discussions will be made to answer the question: Is brand identity more strongly shaped by trends or the spirit of design? Trends in the industry will also be addressed within a professional framework. As part of another theme of the program, silk Hereke carpets will be examined by focusing on the history, technical mastery and cultural heritage involved in these carpets, and the meaning of this tradition in today’s design world. Carpet Talks aims to offer a holistic perspective into the sector by bringing together topics such as the direction of design, the transformation of craftmanship, brand strategies and current interpretations of cultural heritage on a single platform.
The “My Work” workshop, which attracted great attention last year, will be included in the program this year as well. This creative workshop will bring together designers from Turkey and many countries around the world around a common theme, allowing them to express their personal interpretations through their authentic works. The event will offer a collective creation space that merge designers’ different perspectives as parts of a single whole.
These pieces, each a work of art, will be combined during the fair to form “The Carpet Designed by the Highest Number of Designers.” This unique work, which will bring together 400 different stories, visions, and talents, will reveal the collective creative power of the industry at this event where traditional carpet art meets modern design. These activities and events aim to transform the fair from a mere trading platform into a living and continuously productive design workshop for visitors.
50,000 professional visitors expected
ICFE takes its success to a global scale with extensive marketing activities in more than 80 countries across 6 continents. Ambitious targets have been set for the 2026 fair. The fair is expected to host nearly 500 participating companies from 25 countries, particularly from China, Iran, Pakistan, India, USA, Belgium and France, as well as around 50,000 professional visitors from 105 countries.
ICFE is preparing to shape the industry by offering its participants and visitors the opportunity to establish export-focused new partnerships and to maximize their commercial potential.