DALLAS–Last month’s Dallas Total Home & Gift Market had high energy and strong attendance, Dallas Market Center said, as it saw the largest number of new buyers in attendance since 2008, the biggest Dallas Temp Show in 10 years and a successful launch of the Total Housewares & Gourmet Market. Buyers were also able to enjoy the increased Wi-Fi on site and the updated Dallas Market app.
“Dozens of new showrooms, coupled with a significant growth in our temporaries throughout the campus, delivered one of our strongest markets on record,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “It was a great way to start 2013. Retailers showed up in large numbers early and there was definitely a buzz through the final day of market.”
The market showed double-digit increases in attendance from the Midwest, as well as increases from the West, Mid-America, Southeast and Northeast. Buyers attended from all 50 states and 54 countries and participated in more than 100 special events, hospitalities and seminars. Hundreds of buyers attended the seminar with keynote speaker John Gidding, designer, architect and host of HGTV’s “Curb Appeal: The Block,” as he shared examples and secrets to boosting curb appeal using decorative accessories.
The Total Housewares & Gourmet Market also launched and featured an array of new exhibitors, premier lines and 10 chef appearances at The Culinary Stage including celebrity chef Curtis Stone. The housewares and gourmet marketplace has grown by more than 25 percent over the past year, and the launch continues to strengthen product offerings.
The market, held in conjunction with the Dallas Temp Show, Dallas International Lighting Market and Dallas Holiday & Home Expo, also saw the debut of more than 60 new companies and 25 expanded showrooms. The Dallas Temp Show debuted Boutique2Go, Luxury Home FINDS and the newly renamed Vintage Fashion & Gift, as well as a range of 250 new companies across 21 categories.