The Landscape Istanbul Fair 2024, an approved International Horticultural Trade Show by AIPH, established itself as Türkiye’s premier trade show for horticulture and landscaping. Held at the Istanbul Fair Centre in Yeşilkőy from 13 to 16 November, the event spanned over 7,000m² of exhibition space and featured exhibitors from six countries.
Now in its third year, LIF 2024 has firmly established itself as Türkiye’s most influential trade show for the industry. The event highlighted advancements and breakthroughs while bridging global expertise with regional opportunities, fostering collaboration across borders.
Record-breaking Growth and Industry Innovation
In the post-show report to this International Horticultural Trade Show, LIF 2024 demonstrated exceptional growth, drawing 7,500 professional visitors, with 42.9% travelling from outside Türkiye. Participants from 48 countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, underscored the fair’s global appeal as a hub for networking and knowledge exchange.
The fair featured 120 exhibitors, offering solutions that aligned closely with visitor interests, categorised as follows:
- Plants and flowers (42.8%): The backbone of ornamental horticulture and landscaping.
- Green roofs and vertical garden systems (14.4%): Meeting the growing demand for sustainable urban infrastructure.
- Landscaping materials (11.2%) and landscape architectural services (9.6%): Providing essential tools and expertise for modern green development.
These statistics underscore the fair’s role in presenting advancements in ornamental horticulture, sustainable infrastructure, and modern landscaping, reinforcing its status as a premier platform for industry growth.
Insights from LIF’s Visionary CEO
Reflecting on the event, in an interview with FloraCulture International, Mustafa Gültekin Gökgül, founder of Athena Fuarcilik, organisers of Landscape Istanbul Fair, emphasised the critical role of trade fairs in fostering resilience amidst economic and geopolitical challenges: “2024 was a year overshadowed by regional uncertainty, economic instability, and political tensions. However, trade can chart its own course and overcome difficulties. Global trade fairs once again proved their importance and economic value.”
Mr Gökgül highlighted an emerging trend towards minimalist and cost-effective booth designs, with exhibitors focusing on quality over quantity. Looking to the future, he predicted greater collaboration among organisers.
World Urban Parks Symposium
The World Urban Parks Symposium, which was held as part of the Landscape Istanbul Fair 2024, demonstrated the vital role of parks and green spaces in advancing urban sustainability. This symposium brought together experts, policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders to address pressing challenges such as climate resilience, urban density, and biodiversity loss.
The symposium opened with an address by Mr Treve Evans, AIPH Senior International Relations Manager, who represented AIPH at the event. Mr Evans highlighted the partnership between AIPH and World Urban Parks as Award Partners, emphasising their shared commitment to advancing global urban sustainability. This collaboration underscores the importance of combining expertise and resources to promote green spaces as essential components of urban resilience.
Mr Evans also celebrated the achievements of the AIPH World Green City Awards, recognising the city of Chengdu, China, as the 2024 grand winner for its exemplary contributions to urban greening through its “Urban Green Heart Programme“. He highlighted AIPH’s broader commitment to urban sustainability through initiatives like the AIPH Green City programme, which demonstrates how plants and green infrastructure can play a key role in creating healthier and more resilient cities. While these achievements were celebrated, the emphasis of his speech remained on how collaboration and dialogue at the symposium can help cities globally adopt similar transformative practices.
The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Mr Evans and other dignitaries, symbolising a unified commitment to fostering greener cities. Sessions during the symposium facilitated discussions around forward-thinking park designs and strategies for integrating natural spaces into urban planning. These discussions aimed to inspire attendees to consider practical measures for improving urban sustainability in their respective regions.
Mr Evans encapsulated the symposium’s vision, stating: “The parks, gardens, and green spaces we create today will be the legacy we leave to future generations. Plants, flowers, and trees are beyond a decorative option in our cities—they are a necessity for biodiversity and sustainable urban living.”
Looking Ahead and a Vision for the Future
Building on its 2024 success, LIF 2025 aims to:
- Attract 8,000 professional visitors with increased international participation.
- Expand its reach to over 50 countries, strengthening its global network.
- Increase exhibiting space to meet the growing demand for innovation and collaboration.
The Landscape Istanbul Fair 2024 was more than a trade show—it was a call to action. With Mr Gökgül’s leadership and the global advocacy of AIPH, including the professional Green City presentations during the World Urban Parks Symposium, the event underscored the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in advancing ornamental horticulture and sustainable urban development.
With its foundation of innovation and collaboration, LIF 2025, scheduled to take place from 08-11 October 2025, promises to inspire transformative change, setting the stage for a greener and more sustainable future. Visit the website www.peyzajistanbulfuari.com
The Landscape Istanbul Fair 2025 organisers will also showcase its growing international influence at the upcoming IPM Essen 2025 from 28 to 31 January 2025 in Germany. The organisers are also Support Sponsors for the AIPH International Grower of the Year 2025 on the evening of 28 January; for more details, visit www.aiph.org/event/igoty-2025.
