ELES Expo 2027 brings cables, lighting, electrical equipment and smart-energy technology to Istanbul Expo Center, 15-17 April, for export-focused buyers.
Dates
15–17 Apr 2027
City / country
Istanbul, Türkiye
Venue
Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi)
Time
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Event overview
ELES Expo returns to the Istanbul Expo Center from 15 to 17 April 2027, bringing the cable, electrical equipment, lighting and energy-technology supply chain into Halls 9 and 10.
The fair is built for export: Turkish manufacturers and distributors meet buyers from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans and Central Asia across cables and conductors, switchgear and panels, lighting, automation, renewable energy and smart-building systems.
Three days of exhibition, B2B matchmaking and panel sessions make it a compact, high-intent stop for anyone specifying electrical infrastructure or sourcing Turkish production for regional projects.
TL;DR
See the full electrical value chain in two halls, compare Turkish production against international brands, and use the organised buyer programme to meet suppliers who can quote for projects in the Gulf, Africa, the Balkans and Central Asia. The compact three-day format suits a focused sourcing trip.
Türkiye's export machine needs international buyers, and ELES delivers them: the organiser reports 300+ foreign buying delegates and visitor flows weighted to Africa and the Middle East. Exhibitors get a low-cost Istanbul base to launch products, meet distributors and convert regional projects without the cost of a European mega-show.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
2İstanbul Fuar Merkezi, Yeşilköy Mah. Atatürk Cad. No:5/2, Hall 9-10, 34149 Bakırköy / İstanbul, Türkiye
Entrances & gates
Atatürk Caddesi main gate
Closest approach for taxis and shuttle drop-off.
Paid fairground parking is available; follow signs for Halls 9-10.
Step-free access and accessible toilets are available; ask at the main information desk for assistance.
A prayer room is available on the fairground; ask at the information desk for the nearest entrance.
Food options
Fairground café and food court
On-site diningParking: On-site car parks serve the fairground; use the Hall 9-10 side entrances and allow extra time on show mornings.
Gate: Enter through the Istanbul Expo Center main gate on Atatürk Caddesi and follow signs to Halls 9-10.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Ticket info
Badge collection
Request an online invitation before travel and collect your badge at the visitor desk in the Hall 9-10 entrance with a passport or photo ID.
Ticket notes
No ticket price is published for 2027; visitor access is by online invitation request, and the fair is positioned as a trade-only B2B event.
What's on
TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye)(TOBB)
Supervision and chamber support · Türkiye
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 3,000
This edition
2027
Visitors: 15,000
Exhibitors: 150
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
ELES Expo 2026 ran from 23 to 25 April at the Istanbul Expo Center with Turkish manufacturers across cables, panels, lighting and automation, a foreign buying-delegate programme and six panel sessions.
Impact
For a regional trade fair, ELES matters less as a spectacle than as a meeting point. Istanbul puts Turkish cable, panel and lighting factories within a short trip of Gulf, African, Balkan and Central Asian buyers, and the organiser actively funds buyer delegations. That makes the show a credible first contact point for distributors and project suppliers, especially where a European mega-show is too costly or too broad.
Audience quality
The audience is technical and commercial rather than consumer: electrical and automation engineers, procurement leads, contractors, distributors and public-sector project teams. The strongest concentration is Turkish domestic buyers, with a foreign mix weighted to Africa and the Middle East. Buyer-delegation programming improves the odds of meeting decision-makers, but visitors should still pre-book meetings rather than rely on walk-up traffic.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on channel building. Exhibitors selling commodity cables or standard panels face price competition; those with certification, project references or a distributor proposition can use the show to sign regional partners. A three-day hall with 150+ exhibitors is small enough to work systematically. Budget for follow-up in Turkish and English, and expect several months from first contact to first order.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Türkiye's cable, panel and lighting factories serve Europe, the Gulf, Africa and Central Asia from one low-cost base. Istanbul's air links and visa regime make the city a practical meeting point for buyers who cannot visit three or four separate supplier countries. Grid investment, LED replacement and storage projects are creating specification work across the region, and a focused fair compresses months of supplier discovery into three days.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Grid and cable capacity investment
Utilities and contractors across Türkiye, the Gulf and Africa are reinforcing distribution networks for data centres, industry and electrified transport. That lifts demand for medium- and high-voltage cable, switchgear and protection equipment, with certification and delivery capacity as important as price.
What it changes: Cable and switchgear suppliers with verifiable type tests and regional references are best placed to win project packages.
LED retrofit and connected lighting
Lighting buyers are moving from simple luminaire replacement to controls, sensors and building-level energy management. Smart lighting is increasingly sold with automation and low-current systems rather than as a standalone product.
What it changes: Lighting brands that can demonstrate controls integration and energy savings can differentiate from commodity luminaire sellers.
Storage and e-mobility integration
Renewable-energy growth is pulling battery storage, inverters, charging infrastructure and the electrical distribution equipment around them into the same procurement conversation. Exhibitors are expected to show complete energy-distribution solutions, not isolated components.
What it changes: Suppliers able to package storage, protection and distribution for projects can capture larger specification budgets.
Buyers use Istanbul for regional sourcing and then compare specialist European and Gulf shows for global brands, standards and project leads. The circuit below helps sequence a year of sourcing.
Middle East Energy
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Estimated 2027 dates; confirm with the organiser.
websiteHannover Messe
Hannover, Germany
Estimated 2027 dates; runs immediately before ELES and suits a combined European trip.
websiteLight + Building
Frankfurt, Germany
Biennial show; 2028 dates are the next cycle and should be confirmed. Estimated circuit dates.
websiteApril 2027
A three-week window that covers Gulf sourcing, German automation and Turkish production.
Circuit dates are planning estimates; confirm each show's official calendar before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Istanbul Airport
Main international gateway; Havaist coaches and taxis run to Bakırköy and Yeşilköy.
About 45 km
to venue
45–60 minutes
by car
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
Asian-side airport; allow more time in traffic and use the metro plus Marmaray connection.
About 60 km
to venue
70–90 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 70–100 / night
Simple rooms within a 20–30 minute taxi or metro ride of the fairground.
USD 120–190 / night
Closest practical base for the venue, with restaurants and the Marmaray line nearby.
USD 220–350 / night
Sea-view hotels with business facilities, about 10–15 minutes from Halls 9-10.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Metro
The DTM station opens onto the fairground; allow 40–50 minutes from central Istanbul.
Taxi / ride-hail
Use the official taxi rank; agree the meter or app fare before departure.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Visa | Nationals not covered by Türkiye's visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements | $60.00 | Usually minutes to 3 working days |
Many EU, Gulf and Central Asian passports receive visa-free short stays for business meetings; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before booking.
Türkiye is an ATA Convention member; confirm temporary-admission procedures with your freight forwarder and Turkish customs.
Official visa pageWeather
April is mild and changeable: roughly 8–17°C, with rain possible and a cool breeze off the Marmara Sea. Bring a light waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the fairground.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Turkish mobile networks are fast and widely available; an eSIM or local prepaid line is inexpensive. The fairground offers Wi-Fi in common areas, but exhibitors should not rely on it for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business pace
Meetings start with tea and relationship-building; expect decisions to take a second call or visit rather than closing in the first meeting.
Dress and greetings
Business casual is standard at trade fairs; a handshake and exchanged cards work well. Turkish is appreciated for a greeting, but English is common in export teams.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: IST (Istanbul Airport)
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for April; Turkish Airlines and regional carriers add capacity for fair weeks.
Book flightsMany business visitors can enter visa-free for short stays; others need an e-Visa before travel.
Estimated cost: USD 0–60 depending on nationality
Processing: Minutes to 3 working days
Carry a passport valid for at least six months and a hotel booking or invitation letter.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: 45–60 minutes by taxi from IST, or M1A metro with one change at Yenikapı; Havaist coaches serve Bakırköy.
Hotel → venue: Ataköy and Bakırköy hotels are 10–20 minutes by taxi; the M1A DTM station serves the fairground.
Ride-hail: BiTaksi and Uber operate in Istanbul; airport taxis use a meter and fixed supplements.
Public transit: Istanbulkart works on metro, tram, bus and Marmaray; buy or load it at airport machines.
Parking: Paid parking is available at the fairground; arrive early on the first morning.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April
Temperature: 8–17°C
Seasonality: Spring showers are common; the Marmara breeze can make mornings cool.
Packing: Light layers, a compact umbrella and comfortable walking shoes.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 — 16 April 2027
The opening morning is busy with ceremonies and press, while the last afternoon winds down. Day 2 gives a full programme, calmer aisles for meetings and enough time to follow up before you leave Istanbul.
Request the online invitation and check passport validity — Use the official registration page; confirm the six-month passport rule.
Book flights and a refundable hotel in Ataköy or Bakırköy — Fair week fills mid-range hotels; Ataköy keeps transfers short.
Shortlist 10–15 exhibitors and request meetings — Prioritise cable, panel and lighting suppliers that match your project list.
Download the invitation, plan the M1A route and prepare a printed badge copy — Keep a digital copy offline; roaming can be slow at the venue.
Confirm meetings, pack business cards and set a floor route — Group Hall 9 and Hall 10 stops by product category to save walking.
Collect badge and coffee at the Hall 9-10 entrance
Istanbul Expo Center, Hall 9-10Cable and switchgear supplier meetings
Hall 9Lunch and informal networking with distributors
Fairground food courtLighting, automation and storage demonstrations
Hall 10Sultanahmet historic peninsula
Culture
About 30–40 minutes by taxi or Marmaray
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar give a compact half-day of Ottoman and Byzantine history.
Bosphorus ferry
Scenery
About 45 minutes to Eminönü, then a 90-minute ferry
A cheap, memorable way to see the waterfront palaces and both continents.
Ataköy Marina
Waterfront dining
Ten minutes from the venue; good for evening conversations away from the hall.
Buyer delegation lounge
On-site networking
The organiser's hosted-buyer programme creates scheduled introductions; ask at the information desk.
Turkish export teams respond well to a clear, specific follow-up with technical detail. Expect quotations in USD or EUR for export orders and in TRY for domestic supply.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 45–70 / m²
Raw space
USD 170–280 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Planning bands for an Istanbul trade fair; the organiser has not published a 2027 tariff. Shell schemes typically start at 9 sqm.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth_shell
exhibitor · standard
USD 405–630 / 9 sqm stand
hotel
both · mid
USD 120–190 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 40–75 / per day
flight
both · economy
USD 320–480 / return
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth_shell | exhibitor | standard | USD 405–630 / 9 sqm stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 120–190 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 40–75 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| flight | both | economy | USD 320–480 / return | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether ELES Expo 2027 is worth a visit, a stand, or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
How close is this industry to your work?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a sourcing list, a project specification or distribution gaps to fill.
Best for
Buyers and specifiers who need to compare suppliers and attend meetings
Min. budget
$600.00
Timeline
2–4 weeks
Risks
Crowded aisles during opening hours
Weak follow-up loses contacts
exhibit
You have export-ready products, certifications and a follow-up team.
Best for
Manufacturers and distributors targeting Turkish and regional channels
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
3 months
Risks
Stand costs can outrun lead quality
Freight and customs delays
skip
The category is outside your roadmap or you cannot act within six months.
Best for
Companies with no regional buyer, budget or product fit
Timeline
None
Risks
Missing a low-cost first look at the market
Book with
Istanbul Expo Center (İstanbul Fuar Merkezi)
The Yeşilköy fairground hosts ELES Expo in Halls 9 and 10, with metro access at DTM–İstanbul Fuar Merkezi.
Public venue body; not named as a commercial partner.
Turkish Airlines
Türkiye's flag carrier connects Istanbul with Europe, the Gulf, Africa and Central Asia, the show's main buyer regions.
Useful travel resource; no partnership announced.
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO)
The city's business chamber supports trade missions and exporter networks relevant to visiting buyers.
Public body; not a confirmed show partner.
TOBB — Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye
The organiser states the fair is held under TOBB supervision, giving the event a national chamber framework.
Named as supervising body on the event page.
Recommended providers
Check your nationality before paying; many business visitors travel visa-free for short stays.
Search Ataköy, Bakırköy and Yeşilköy for the shortest transfers; fair week sells out early.
Direct flights to IST from most European, Gulf and Central Asian hubs; book 6–8 weeks ahead.
Book exhibition freight 6–8 weeks ahead and confirm customs clearance before build-up.
Choose a policy covering trade-fair travel and public-liability requirements for exhibitors.
Book Sultanahmet or Bosphorus tours for the evening after the show.
Badge-scanning and lead-capture app with CSV/CRM export; configure KVKK consent fields.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
8
References
5
Publishers
8
Date checked
ELES Expo / ITC Fuarcılık
ELES Expo
atndr
SDID
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