Afyon Block Marble Fair Opens Its Doors with the Motto “A Stone is Heaviest Where It Belongs”
The Turkish natural stone industry welcomes a brand-new fair.
It feels like the final scene of a long story… Conversations that began with “There should be a fair in Afyon”… Debates over “Should there be one or not?”… Questions like “While there’s already a block fair in Bursa, can the industry also sustain one in Afyon?”… The dilemma of “Should it be held in Bursa or in Afyon?”… Different opinions, diverse answers, and the firm stance shown by the Afyon side… And finally, the last scene: June 18, 2025 — Venue: Afyonkarahisar International Fair, Congress and Exhibition Center.
240 EXHIBITING COMPANIES
Let’s start with the numbers. According to the organizer, ALZ Fuarcılık, the fair, held between June 18–21, 2025, hosted 240 companies showcasing their products. Around 1,500 marble blocks from 20 different cities, primarily Afyon, were displayed for visitors. Throughout the four-day event, 10,760 visitors entered the fair, including 307 international industry representatives.
STRONG INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
The fair was organized with the support of the Ministry of Trade, Afyonkarahisar Governorship, Afyonkarahisar Municipality, local NGOs, and industry associations. Delegations from countries such as China, India, Italy, Egypt, the UAE, the USA, and Saudi Arabia also attended. The fair stood out not only for its extensive stone exhibition but also for its display of quarry machinery, cutting and handling systems, processing equipment, and consumables.
STRONG INTEREST IN THE OPENING
The opening ceremony of the fair drew great attention, with attendance from Deputy Minister of Trade Volkan Ağar, Afyonkarahisar Governor Kübra Güran Yiğitbaşı, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal, members of parliament, and numerous industry representatives. Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş also visited the fair and toured the exhibition stands.
“MARBLE, AT ITS BIRTHPLACE”
In his opening speech, İbrahim Alimoğlu, President of the Aegean Mine Exporters’ Association, stated: “Here, marble is being showcased where it was born — at the very heart of the mountains, production, and labor. We believe this fair will not only serve as a commercial platform but also as a strategic meeting point that will shape the future of our industry. I sincerely believe that we will carry the Turkish natural stone sector much further forward.”
ART STREET: CENTER OF ATTENTION
One of the fair’s highlights was Art Street, where sculptors exhibited their special works. Each unique piece elegantly showcased the transformation of stone from raw block to art. Sponsored by Karamehmet Marble, this event became one of the most photographed and admired spots of the entire fair.
GENERAL SATISFACTION IN THE SECTOR
Now, let’s talk about impressions… From the very beginning, the organizers adopted an approach that stood by the companies, offering more affordable participation options and services — an attitude that earned wide appreciation from industry representatives. In our conversations with sector colleagues, this supportive spirit was the main topic. Overall, we can confidently say that most participants left Afyon satisfied. Many also expressed positive feedback about the business potential they encountered during the event.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Of course, it was the first year of the fair — so it’s natural that there are areas for improvement. We expect the fair to reach an even better level through enhancements in layout, organization, or perhaps solutions to the scorching June heat. And one last piece of advice before we wrap up: we didn’t need it this time, but when you attend next year’s Afyon Block Fair, don’t forget your sunscreen!
MARBLE TREND ISSUE NO. 70
Finally, a note from Marble Trend… As a proud member of the Turkish natural stone family for 18 years, we once again witnessed the opening of a brand-new fair. We distributed our 70th issue, presented for the first time in Afyon, reunited with our friends in the industry, and listened to everyone’s feedback to evaluate the fair in the best possible way.
The Fair Is Over, But the Bill Remains: 40 Million TL
The ALZ Afyon Block Marble Fair has ended, but its bill became the main topic of discussion at the Afyonkarahisar Municipality’s regular September 2025 meeting. Mayor Burcu Köksal reminded that the fair was held at the Afyon Motor Sports Center, stating: “We organized a marble fair. However, after the fair, a serious bill emerged — around 40 million Turkish lira. Due to the weight of the marble blocks, the asphalt collapsed, causing significant damage. The area has become unusable. Both the government and the opposition supported this fair, but the cost has become a heavy burden for the municipality. To cover this expense, we will have to sell some municipal land. Nevertheless, our legal rights are reserved — we must seek compensation for these damages from the organizing company.”
