The 74th AYSAF, showcasing Turkey's production capacity and technological expertise in the footwear sub-industry, was held at the Istanbul Fair Center. Organized by the Footwear Sub-Industry Association and managed by CNG Fair Management, the fair brought together sector representatives between April 21-24.
Despite global economic and geopolitical challenges, the contacts established throughout the fair once again highlighted Turkey's strong position in the supply chain.
The production power, export targets, and new collaborations of the footwear sub-industry sector were among the main topics of the fair, while the organization gave strong messages to the sector regarding the future.
"Not an Egosystem, but an Ecosystem": The Sector United in Common Sense
In his closing remarks, AYSAD Chairman Sait Salıcı emphasized the importance of the sector acting with common sense. Salıcı said, “Although we were navigating a difficult sea, we managed to give our sector a breath of fresh air with AYSAF. The feedback we received from our participants and visitors throughout the four days showed how high the resilience capacity of our sector is. On this path we embarked on with the motto ‘Ecosystem, not egosystem,’ the agreements signed during the fair brought us one step closer to our export target of $1.2 billion for 2026.”
The Sector's Summit Met Under One Roof
The fair was attended by Güven Karaca, President of the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association; Mehmet Büyükekşi, Chairman of the TASEV Advisory Board; Emel Güven Bardız, President of Türdev; Turhan Akyüz, President of the Saddlery Manufacturers Association; Ali Yavuz Boynukısa, President of the Organic Clothing Manufacturers Association; Halil Gündoğdu, Vice Chairman of the Aegean Exporters Association Board of Directors; and presidents of various sector institutions. Sait Salıcı emphasized that this strong dialogue among sector stakeholders is critically important for the export vision.
The Future Takes the Stage: Young People at AYSAF
This year, AYSAF also focused on young people who shape the future of the sector. Students from TASEV, Selçuk University Faculty of Architecture and Design, Shoe Design and Production Department, Ankara Beypazarı Vocational School, Fashion Design Department, and Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Gerede Vocational School, Shoe Design and Production Department participated in the fair. In the organization, where students had the opportunity to observe sectoral dynamics firsthand, a special design exhibition prepared by Selçuk University students also attracted great interest from visitors.
The Numbers Speak: Strong Production, Global Interest
The fair, backed by the 3,500 companies and 100,000-person workforce of the shoe sub-industry sector, was once again a meeting point for domestic and foreign professionals this year. A total of 75 companies participated in the organization. 7,000 professional visitors followed the fair over four days. In addition, the technological infrastructure capable of producing 36 different components was presented to global brands. Purchasing delegations from many regions, primarily Europe, the Middle East, Turkic Republics, and North Africa, established commercial contacts with Turkish manufacturers.
Green Transformation and Digitalization: The Production of the Future on the Field
Reminding that digitalization and sustainable production were among the main agenda topics of the fair, Salıcı stated that the shoe of the future is being designed today with recycled materials and water-based technologies within the framework of the European Green Deal.
Date for the 75th AYSAF Fair: November 11-13, 2026
The date for the sector's new meeting at the 75th AYSAF Fair is November 11-13, 2026. The sector aims to both increase its trade volume and further strengthen its position in global competition at this new meeting.
