Izmir fair posts bigger numbers than last year

The 78th Izmir International Fair (IEF) ended on Sunday night after attracting nearly 1.5 million visitors, the Izmir Fair Services Culture and Art Affairs Trade Inc., the organizer, announced. Last year's IEF had some 1.49 million visitors. Opening its doors this year on Aug. 28, Turkey's first and biggest international trade show had the participation of over 1,000 local and foreign firms. Sixty-one countries sent 150 delegations, including 11 Cabinet ministers, to this year's fair, which had the theme of Communications Technologies. Ethiopia was the guest of honor at this year's IEF, which also featured a film and song festival. Companies introduced thousands of products at the fair, and 15 new products hit the stands for the first time. World-famous carmakers Hyundai and Isuzu and computer giant Microsoft offered visitors their latest products at their stands. Among the new products that got attention were the first PC game created in Izmir, a new handset that enables deaf people to use cell phones, a surveillance computer system that keeps track of huge fleets, and an amphibious jet ski. Meanwhile, the Izmir Economy University (IEU) announced at the fair that they will open a new computer game development department. In addition to the permanent employees of the fair, an additional 320 cleaning staff, 450 security staff and 125 gate officers worked during the fair, with jobs ranging from translation services to concert organization and hosting services.