Istanbul at Top 15 of ICCA City Ranking
According to ICCA 2008 stats that have been released recently, Istanbul ranks 15th in world convention cities list. In 2008 Istanbul hosted 72 international association congresses and ranked 15th in the world and 11th in Europe.
The achievement reflects the enhancement in congresses that were held in Istanbul and global attraction the city draws. This also indicates that Istanbul’s congress’ infrastructure has developed and the city has strengthened its position among the world congress cities.
Istanbul Congress Valley is expanding with some amazing new developments that will open in October 2009. The Harbiye Congress and Cultural Centre will boast an auditorium for 3,500 people, foyer and an overall exhibition space of 10,000 square metres and further flexible meeting rooms.
The Halic (Golden Horn) Congress Center, which recently opened its doors with the organisation of 5th World Water Forum has a main auditoria for 3,104 delegates and stands on the shore of the Golden Horn, an area of great historic interest in one of the most beautiful parts of the city. 
Istanbul Congress Bay is another main development of the Istanbul Congress City Project. The Halic Congress Center which has a rich background, initially as a slaughterhouse, with 86,000 squares metres of indoor space is connected by the Historical Galata Bridge to the Feshane International Exhibition, Congress and Culture Center.
With the new developments, Istanbul now provides meeting planners with over 50,000 hotel rooms at leading international and Turkish-chain hotels including 10,000 4-star rooms and 15,000 5-star rooms. Many top Istanbul hotels also offer extensive meeting facilities ranging from ballrooms to full meeting facilities.
“We have been working hard to secure more and more international congresses for Istanbul. We are delighted to see the constant increase of our city’s positioning among world leading destinations as proven by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2008 statistics said Handan Boyce, General Manager of ICVB.
The ICCA rankings cover meetings organised by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries.
This year the ICCA Data researchers have identified 7,475 events which took place in 2008, a rise of approximately 800 over 2007. Partly this reflects the strength of the market, partly it is thanks to a record number of ICCA members sending us their calendar information to help identify new events.
ICCA city ranking measured by number of meetings organised in 2008
Rank |
City |
# Meetings |
1 |
Paris |
139 |
|
Vienna |
139 |
3 |
Barcelona |
136 |
4 |
Singapore |
118 |
5 |
Berlin |
100 |
6 |
Budapest |
95 |
7 |
Amsterdam |
89 |
8 |
Stockholm |
87 |
9 |
Seoul |
84 |
10 |
Lisbon |
83 |
11 |
Copenhagen |
82 |
12 |
Sao Paulo |
75 |
13 |
Prague |
74 |
14 |
Beijing |
73 |
15 |
Istanbul |
72 |
|
Buenos Aires |
72 |
|
Athens |
72 |
18 |
Bangkok |
71 |
19 |
London |
68 |
|
Tokyo |
68 |
Brawn GP won 2009 Formula 1™ ING Turkish Grand Prix
Brawn GP's Jenson Button won the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday for his sixth victory in seven Formula One races and move a step closer to clinching his maiden world title.
Formula 1 Grand Prix always brings more color to Istanbul life. During the 2009 Grand Prix week several parties organized for Formula 1 teams, traditional football match organized between Turkish celebrities’ and Formula 1 drivers’ teams in Istanbul. Moreover, world known celebrities glittered at Istanbul nights.
Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways which started Istanbul flights on Monday last week organized a cocktail reception at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski on Thursday June 4th. Etihad Airways which is the platinum sponsor of Ferrari Formula 1 Team, increased attention of guests by inviting Ferrari F1 drivers; Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa to the stage and sign Ferrari caps for guests.
On June 5th, Turkish All Star Team including celebrities such as Behzat Uygur, Hakan Peker and Turkish football legends as Tanju Çolak and Ridvan Dilmen against F1 Drivers Team including Turkish football player Tugay Kerimoglu who is playing in UK for several years played a football match at Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen stadium. Tanju (2), Bulent Uygun, Ali Gultiken, Ridvan Dilmen scored goals for Turkish All Star Team and Tugay Kerimoglu, Felippe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella, and Maro Engel (3) scored goals for the F1 Drivers Team. All of income from the match which finished with a draw of 6-6 will be given to organizations in safeguarding every child's rights to education as UNESCO and UNICEF and Turkey Child Protection Agency.
Moreover, for the first time in Turkey, LG Electronics organized an official opening party for the 2009 FORMULA 1™ ING TURKEY GRAND PRIX. Famous DJ of Buddha Bar in Dubai came to Istanbul for this special concept party. The opening party is attended by executive managers of F1 teams, and Turkish celebrities.
On June 6th, some F1 Teams organized parties for special guests and celebrities at Istanbul’s trendy venues.
Thousands of Formula 1 fans including Turkish government officials, TV and pop starts as well as world celebrities such as super model Naomi Campbell, watched Istanbul Grand Prix organized at Istanbul Park.
Istanbul Hosts 16th International Jazz Festival
Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts under the sponsorship of GARANTİ BANK, the 16th International Istanbul Jazz Festival will host world-famous artists and groups within its rich programme that includes a wide range of musical genres varying from classical and modern jazz to pop, rock, ethnic and folk music.
Tickets are now available for the 16th International Istanbul Jazz Festival that will run July 2-15. The festival is spread across various venues in the city. Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre, Esma Sultan Pavilion, Hagia Eirene Museum, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Nardis Jazz Club and Istanbul Modern, Istinye Park will be hosting the festival concerts this year.
The Jazz Boat, now a Festival tradition, will maintain its course with a wonderful Bosphorus Tour, while this year a Balkan Boat also added to the events list that Balkan music will continue to take the jazz fever on the Bosphorus.
The 16th International Istanbul Jazz Festival will start on July 2nd night at the Opening Ceremony that will be held in The Marmara Esma Sultan.
Istanbul Jazz Festival is welcoming world’s most famous bass guitarists Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten or in short SMV. The bass guitar trio will perform on July 8th night at 21.00 hrs at Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater.
Old friends; Joe Sample and Randy Crawford once again are the guests of the festival. The great duo will play in Istanbul on July 13 at Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater in the scope of their new album ‘No Regrets’ that released in 2008.
George Benson is one of the most important guests of this year’s festival. George Benson and his ensemble joined by a five-piece choir and a 28-piece string orchestra conducted by Randy Waldman pays tribute spanning classic Nat King Cole hits. “When I Fall in Love”, “Unforgettable”, “Nature Boy” and “Route 66” are some of the hits George Benson and his ensemble that will be performed in Istanbul.
IstinyePark which was joined the festival last year and drew attention, is continuing to be one of the festival venues. American singer, songwriter, and pianist Peter Cincotti is taking stage at Istinye Park on July 14 at 21.00hrs.
For more information about the concerts and programme please visit http://www.iksv.org/caz/english/index.asp
Leading name of Latin rock music is Coming to Istanbul
Leading name of Latin rock music, Carlos Santana will perform for its fans in Istanbul. Thousands of audience will gather at Turkcell Kuruçeşme Arena located by the Bosphorus. A wonderful night is waiting Istanbulities and all audiences with a unique view of Bosphorus at sea level and famous Latin rock rythms of Santana.
Santana will finally meet his fans in Istanbul on 6 June 2009, almost twenty years after his performance in 18th International İstanbul Music Festival in 1990. The concert is sponsored by Wings and organized by Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV).
Santana, an outstanding figure of rock history since the past fifty years, has over millions of fans all around the world. Beginning with early recordings such as "Santana" and "Abraxas", the group's discography is full of award-winning albums. With the legendary album "Supernatural" released in 1999, Santana won eight Grammy Awards, including "Album of the Year", "Record of the Year" (for Smooth) and "Best Rock Performance". Continuing his success with "Shaman" in 2002 and the following albums, as well as with his wonderful concerts with performances of hits like "Oye Como Va", "Jingo", "Black Magic Woman", "Smooth", and "Love of My Life", Santana shows he lost nothing from the flame of Latin rock within.
Tickets can be purchased from
www.biletix.com and IKSV office (Istiklal Cad. No:64 Luvr Apt. Beyoğlu) (Everyday except Sundays between 10.00 – 17.30). Wings card owners can purchase tickets with 15% discount.
Latin Music in Istanbul in July
Queen of Latin Jazz Omara Portuondo whose career has spanned over half a century, will sing Cuban and Brazilian songs at True Blue on 17 July 2009. The concert is organized by Unilife.
1930 born Cuban singer started her career when she was 15 as a dancer at Havana's Tropicana Club. In 1974 she recorded, with guitarist Martin Rojas, what would become one of her most critically acclaimed albums in which she sings praises to Salvador Allende and the people of Chile a year after the military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. Among many other hits from the album, she also praises the work of Ernesto "Che" Guevara in "Hasta Siempre Comandante".
Portuondo had a duet with Ibrahim Ferrer on the album Buena Vista Social Club in 1996. In 2008 she recorded the Album "Gracias" as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of her singing career.
In her music career she worked with well known musicians such as Trilok Gurtu, Avishai Cohen, Roberto Fonseca, Jorge Chicoy. The concert in Istanbul will also host 2 talented musicians, pianist Harold López Nussa and drummer Rodney Barretto.
Etihad Launched Flights To Istanbul
The national air carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad, has begun flights to Istanbul on Monday, June 1st. Etihad's first arrival on Monday at Ataturk Airport with its Airbus A320 airliner brought in 131 passengers to Istanbul.
Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s award-winning airline and the national carrier of the UAE, launched its four times a week service to Istanbul at a time when trade relations between the two countries is at its strongest and is set to grow significantly as a result of the important new link.
Turkey is one of the UAE’s largest trade partners, with USD $9 billion in annual bilateral trade volume generating strong economic relations and sound business opportunities for both countries.
Last year saw foreign trade figures reveal Turkey as one of the UAE’s top 10 biggest suppliers, while over the past five years (2004-2008) the UAE’s exports to Turkey have increased six-fold.
“An unprecedented growth has been witnessed in the bilateral trade between the UAE and Turkey, particularly in the past couple of years,” said Turkish Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Hakki Akil.
“Etihad Airways’ launch into our bustling city of Istanbul will open up even more business and tourism opportunities and we are very excited by this prospect.”
Turkish companies are also accelerating their efforts to enter the UAE market and forge strong connections with partners across a range of industries and sectors, including defence naval ship building, real estate, yacht building and building materials.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “The launch of our new service to Istanbul brings many benefits for both countries and will continue to strengthen the trade and tourism links to an even higher level.
“Abu Dhabi and Istanbul share a common bond in that they are two proud and historic cities with ambitious plans to continue sustainable growth, mutual understanding and respect.”
Tourism between the two countries will also receive a considerable boost as a result of the new Etihad services, with both countries offering common cultural values and appealing tourist attractions.
Etihad will operate a two-class Airbus A320 to Istanbul, configured to carry 140 passengers with 20 seats in business class and 120 in economy class.
