Trade fair support
By your side at trade fairs in Türkiye, from booth interpreting to customer follow-up
Every year, numerous industry trade fairs are held at Istanbul venues such as TÜYAP, Istanbul Expo Center and CNR Expo, offering Chinese companies valuable opportunities to meet buyers from Türkiye and neighbouring countries. Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) provides Chinese exhibitors and visiting delegations with booth interpreting, buyer meetings, hotels and transport, and post-fair follow-up, so you can focus on your business.
From booth to order at Istanbul trade fairs
One fair at TÜYAP: buyers from the Middle East, Balkans and North Africa
Istanbul is Türkiye's commercial hub; every year, venues such as TÜYAP and Istanbul Expo Center host fairs in many sectors, including construction, machinery, textiles, furniture, food and automotive supply. Many of these fairs attract not only Turkish buyers but also purchasers from the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia and North Africa. For a Chinese company, a single fair is an opportunity to reach customers in several markets.
Fairs are also an important setting for building trust in Türkiye. Many local companies prefer to meet at a fair, see the product and chat a little before entering serious cooperation. If no one at the booth speaks Turkish, many interested visitors politely take a brochure, walk away and can never be reached again.
Turkish follow-up in the two weeks after the fair determines the orders
Exhibiting usually requires months of preparation: choosing a fair, renting a booth from the organizer, shipping products, preparing Turkish materials, and booking flights and hotels. As the fair approaches, buyer invitations are sent and interpreters are selected and briefed on the product. During the fair, interpreters welcome visitors at the booth, record customer information and review the day with you each evening.
The end of the fair is not the end. Sending a Turkish follow-up email to every interested customer within one to two weeks, providing quotations or additional information, and arranging the next meeting or facility visit are the key to turning your fair investment into orders. Many companies put great effort into a fair but miss opportunities because there is no follow-up afterwards.
“Offer a cup of tea”: it beats looking at your phone behind the desk
A common problem is bringing materials only in Chinese or English, which Turkish visitors rarely read. Another is booth staff sitting behind the desk on their phones; at fairs in Türkiye, greeting people with a smile and offering a cup of tea often leads to far more conversations. Some companies also try to sell by slashing prices right at the fair, which can raise doubts about quality.
Timing also matters. Some fairs are open at weekends, and visitor numbers usually rise in the afternoon; at fairs that fall during Ramadan, some visitors are fasting, so it is courteous to avoid eating and drinking in front of them. Prepare plenty of business cards and materials; Turkish customers usually collect cards and call companies one by one afterwards.
Send the fair name, booth number and target customers early
Yeni İpekyolu offers fair recommendations, booth interpreting, pre-fair buyer invitations, material translation and local printing, transfer and hotel arrangements, and post-fair follow-up in Turkish. Booth rental and product shipping are usually handled between you, the organizer and the official logistics company; we support you with correspondence and document translation.
Send us in advance the fair name, dates and booth number, product catalogues and technical documents for interpreter preparation, the participant list, flight and accommodation preferences, and the type of customers you want to meet. The earlier this information is confirmed, the more time there is to arrange interpreters with industry experience and to invite buyers.
For companies exhibiting at, visiting or bringing delegations to fairs in Türkiye
Chinese companies exhibiting in Türkiye
Exhibitors who need a booth interpreter to welcome Turkish and Middle Eastern visitors, present products and collect enquiries. Fairs are short and crowded; having an interpreter who knows the product at the booth significantly reduces the risk of missing potential customers.
Visitors looking for suppliers or partners
Visitors looking for someone to tour the fair with them, talk to Turkish exhibitors and take notes on important information. We plan a route in advance based on the exhibitor list, so you meet the most relevant companies in limited time.
Chinese delegations from chambers or institutions
Delegations with several participating companies that require multiple interpreters and joint logistics coordination. A single coordinator handles all communication, avoiding the confusion caused by companies making separate calls.
Fair selection, booth interpreters, invitations and follow-up
Trade fair recommendations
We recommend trade fairs in Türkiye suited to your industry and help with the exhibitor application process. We explain each fair's location, main visitor profile and track record in previous years, making it easier to decide whether it is worth attending.
Booth interpreting
Chinese–Turkish (and English if needed) interpreters at your booth all day, supporting welcomes and meetings. The interpreter also greets visitors passing the booth and notes down each visitor's needs and contact details.
Pre-fair buyer invitations
We contact potential Turkish customers in advance and arrange appointments at your booth. Visitors have busy schedules on fair days, so booking ahead greatly increases the chance of a meeting.
Material localization and printing
Catalogues and booth panels are translated into Turkish and can be printed in Istanbul, so there is no shipping hassle. Local printing also makes reprints and last-minute changes easy, so you never run short of materials.
Airport pickup, hotel and transport
We arrange airport transfers, hotels near the fairground and daily shuttles. During major fairs, nearby hotels fill up and traffic gets heavy, so planning ahead saves a lot of time.
Post-fair follow-up
Business cards and enquiries are organized, follow-up emails are sent in Turkish, and further meetings or facility visits are arranged. The one to two weeks after the fair are critical for follow-up; timely contact ensures customers remember you.
Service summary and requirements
| Recommended booking | Usually 3–6 weeks before the fair |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Interpreting per day · other services by scope |
| Main venues | TÜYAP · Istanbul Expo Center · CNR Expo, etc. |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Fair name, dates and booth number
- Product catalogue and technical documents (for interpreter preparation)
- Participant list, flight details and accommodation preferences
- The type of customers or target companies you want to meet
Before, during and after the fair: a five-step plan
- 1
Tell us the fair and your needs
Tell us the fair's name, dates, your booth number and the services you need. If you have not chosen a fair yet, we can make recommendations first.
- 2
Plan and quotation approval
The number of interpreters, days and logistics are determined and a quotation is provided. The number is usually based on booth size, product complexity and expected visitor traffic.
- 3
Pre-fair preparation
Interpreters study your product files and terminology in advance, and buyer invitations are sent. If possible, we recommend a short online call before the fair to brief the interpreter on your pricing policy and priority customers.
- 4
During the fair
Interpreters are at the booth all day, and each day's customer information is compiled. A short review each evening identifies the customers to prioritize for follow-up.
- 5
After the fair
A customer list in Chinese is delivered and follow-up with priority customers continues. If needed, we continue with facility visits, sample correspondence or company checks.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book an interpreter?
Demand for interpreters peaks at major fairs, so we generally recommend booking at least 3 weeks ahead. For popular fairs or interpreters with specific industry knowledge, it is best to decide even earlier. If time is short, write to us anyway and we will arrange what we can.
Do you handle booth rental?
Booths are usually rented directly from the fair organizer or its authorized representative, and the contract and payment are between you and the organizer. We help with Turkish correspondence and the translation of the exhibitor manual and documents, and remind you of deadlines.
Do you also provide services at fairs outside Istanbul?
Yes. We also serve fairs in cities such as Ankara, İzmir, Bursa and Antalya; the interpreter's travel and accommodation costs are charged separately. Some specialized fairs are held only in certain cities, so we confirm the venue and transport in advance.
What should we keep in mind when bringing exhibition goods into Türkiye?
Exhibition goods are usually brought in under the temporary import regime through the fair's official logistics company and must be re-exported after the fair or cleared through customs according to the rules. Confirm current rules with the customs administration and the organizer, and contact the official forwarder early. We help with document translation and correspondence; customs procedures are handled by a licensed customs broker.
Can the interpreter help with price negotiations?
The interpreter conveys what both sides say accurately and, when needed, draws your attention to cultural nuances such as a polite refusal or a price floated just to test the waters. The authority to decide on price and terms always rests with you; the interpreter makes no commitments on your behalf.
Should we take orders on the spot at a fair in Türkiye?
You can record purchase intentions, but we recommend formalizing large orders after the fair. It is safer to verify the company's details first, clarify payment and delivery terms, and then sign a written contract.
What gifts and materials should we prepare for the fair?
The most useful items are catalogues in Turkish or English, business cards and brief price information. Small gifts can be prepared but need not be expensive; practical items with your logo are suitable. What matters is clear material that lets customers reach you easily after the fair.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
