The Global Meeting Point of the Carpet Industry: ICFE – The International Carpet & Flooring Expo Prepares to Open its Doors for the Third Time
ICFE – The International Carpet & Flooring Expo, the global nexus of the carpet industry, is preparing to open its doors for the third time from January 6-9, 2026, at the Istanbul Expo Center (IFM).
Organized by the Tüyap Fairs Group in collaboration with the Istanbul Carpet Exporters' Association (İHİB) and the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters' Association (GAHİB), the fair is set for record growth. Alongside intense interest from six continents, it will once again host the "World's Most Unique Carpet" project, which unites the creativity of 400 designers. As the world's most important platform for the carpet sector, ICFE has expanded its 2026 targets. Growing with increased demand from foreign participants and rising market potential, ICFE will this year occupy 11 exhibition halls. The fair boasts a strong participant profile, driven by keen interest from local and international industry representatives. This solidifies the fair's central position in the industry and enhances its global prestige.
Creativity, Design, and Inspiring Events
Various exhibitions showcasing the creative force of the industry will greet visitors at the fair. A design competition among participating companies will feature brands presenting their newest collections; the finalist designs will be displayed at the fairground. Additionally, special exhibitions presenting modern interpretations of traditional motifs and an event program bringing together sector professionals will add significant value to the fair.
Carpet Talks: Shaping the Future of Carpet Design
Carpet Talks will offer a comprehensive program centered around four main themes that shape the future of carpet design. The initial sessions will explore how design is directed and the evolution of design methodologies, evaluating the diverse creative approaches within the industry. Content focusing on the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics will discuss the connection between handmade heritage and contemporary design, as well as the new values this synthesis brings to the sector. The segment concentrating on the role of design in branding processes will examine whether trends or the soul of design more powerfully shape brand identity, providing a professional framework for assessing industry directions. Another key theme, focusing on Silk Hereke carpets, will explore the contemporary relevance of this tradition by examining its historical accumulation, technical mastery, and cultural heritage. Carpet Talks aims to provide the industry with a holistic perspective by uniting topics such as design direction, the transformation of craftsmanship, brand strategies, and modern interpretations of cultural heritage on a single platform.
The highly popular ‘MyOwnPiece’ workshop will also return this year. This creative workshop will bring together designers from Türkiye and many countries worldwide around a common theme, allowing them to express their personal interpretations through original works. The event will offer a collective creation space, merging diverse perspectives as pieces of a single whole.
Each of these pieces, works of art in their own right, will be assembled during the fair to form the "Carpet Designed by the Most Designers in the World." This unique piece, bringing together 400 different stories, visions, and talents, will showcase the collective creative power of the industry at the intersection of traditional carpet art and modern design. These projects aim to transform the fair from a trade platform into a living design workshop.
Target: 50,000 Professional Visitors
ICFE is elevating its success to a global scale through comprehensive marketing activities conducted across 6 continents and over 80 countries. The targets for the 2026 fair are ambitious: nearly 500 participating companies from 25 countries—primarily China, Iran, Pakistan, India, the USA, Belgium, and France—and close to 50,000 professional visitors from 105 countries are expected.
ICFE is preparing to lead the industry by offering participants and visitors the opportunity to establish new export-focused business collaborations and maximize their commercial potential.