Istanbul INN London

INN London presents Istanbul, April 2013

INN London is a new organisation set up to bring the best of a foreign city’s culture, creativity and commerce to the heart of London.  Each year, over the next five years, INN will bring a city to life from the BRICT nations: Sao Paolo, Moscow, Mumbai and Shanghai, with Turkey, Europe’s very own emerging economic super power and the city of Istanbul as the first focus.

A five-day event each year will reveal what makes the focus city unique, from its contemporary art and architecture, to its fashion, food, drink and cultural life.

As one of the largest cities in the world, Istanbul is unique in its geographical position and its fascinating heritage, but also has a pounding business heart. INN is for prospective tourists, those with an interest in what’s new and upcoming in Istanbul – from food to culture – and those looking to set up business links.

“What we are aiming to do with INN London is challenge and change pre-conceptions”, says INN London founder director Steve Wallington.  “Culture is a proven agent for change, while on a business level, a strong understanding of the local culture is the key to success.”

INN Istanbul will take place over 22,000 square feet at Victoria House, in London’s Bloomsbury.  A contemporary Grand Bazaar, INN is a place to meet, have conversations, do business, shop and be inspired. Discover Istanbul’s leading architects, design practices, fashion designers, contemporary art galleries and luxury lifestyle brands – Istanbul INN London offers the following for visitors:

• CULTURE: tap into the latest developments on Istanbul’s cultural scene: see art galleries, meet architects, designers and fashion designers. A curated programme of talks and events will shed more light on this aspect of INN Istanbul.

• TOURISM: find out where to stay, eat, what to buy and what to do in preparation for your trip to Turkey.

• SHOPPING: experience Istanbul and buy a little piece of it.

• RETAIL/DISTRIBUTION: Turkish businesses showcasing their products with a view to making key connections for distribution in the UK and internationally.

• TRADE/COLLABORATION: an opportunity for UK business to source Turkish suppliers and discuss collaborative potential.

INN will be launching the event with a one-day conference investigating the opportunity for developing trade and relations between the UK and Turkey.

The intention is to travel INN Istanbul until the 2020 Istanbul Olympics, with events in the Middle East, Far East and the Americas.

INN London presents Istanbul from 11-15 April 2013 

Opening hours      11-7pm, Sunday 11-6pm

Address                 Victoria House, Bloomsbury, WC1B 4DA

Website                 www.innlondon.org

Admission            Advance £5 from www.innlondon.org/event; at the door £10