Dallas Market Center has announced details for the summer edition of Total Home & Gift Market, Aug. 19-25, 2020. With new dates and comprehensive health measures, the Dallas event offers retailers a convenient and safe marketplace to support business recovery and growth.
To help buyers, the marketplace will feature new and expanding showrooms, hundreds of Temps, and inspiring displays inside a large and socially distant marketplace.
Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center, commented: “Our country and our customers were hit hard by the pandemic but economic recovery is underway and being powered by retailers eager to re-stock and get back to business with renewed purpose. We are mindful of two important missions this summer: to support the retail rebound and to offer careful health measures. On both counts Dallas represents a safe, wide-open, supportive marketplace ready to serve customers this summer.”
New and Expanded Showrooms Plus Hundreds of Temps
Several exhibitors will debut in Dallas or cut the ribbon on expanded spaces. Among those celebrating expanded showrooms are Elegant Furniture & Lighting, WTC 10080, The Royal Standard, TM 2020-1032, and Cohasset Gift and Garden, moving and expanding into TM 2232.
New showrooms include Unique Loom, located in IHDC 1D112. This family-owned business has decades of experience in rug design and manufacturing. Unique Loom provides designers with the products, insights and support they need to stay competitive in a crowded marketplace: affordable styles and a variety of quality collections are available.
Curated, presented by Paul Michael and represented by In-Detail, is debuting in WTC 615. This large new showroom features high-design home furnishings including hand-crafted furniture as well as one-of-a kind art, decorative accessories, and antiques updated continually in order to offer new products throughout the year.
Crown Linen Designs, WTC 205, is presenting extraordinary linen tabletop, bedding and apparel of the highest quality at incredible prices.
Katie Loxton, WTC 205 A, is opening a permanent showroom to showcase their fashion and lifestyle brand that offers chic, everyday accessories that are directional in design and full of charm. Categories include handbags, pouches, gifts, and fashion accessories.
Additional new showrooms include Kitras Art Glass, TM 2442, Canada’s largest hot glass studio featuring beautiful glass and gifts; Gaucho Sheep & Leather, WTC 6272, a major supplier of iconic American Western and Southwestern cowhide home décor, accessories, and gift items; and Sparkles Rhinestones, TM 1767, offering wholesale rhinestones and bling decoration needs in hundreds of varieties.
Inside The Gallery at the Interior Home + Design Center, a 32,000 square foot showroom of 18 different home decor, home accents, furniture, and lighting lines, new resources include Stanton Gray, Boxcar House, Eloise World Studio, and Paul Montgomery plus an expanded Legend of Asia.
New exhibitors in Gourmet Market (WTC 180) include Double Barrel Honey and Isabelly’s Sweet Treats. Relocated are Maine St. Shoppe (180-A50) and Primeware (180-A25).
The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market will present hundreds of new and returning exhibitors. Buyers will explore four Temp neighborhoods, including newly renovated space on WTC 11, to discover hot new products and brands.
- Trade Mart 1: Luxe Gift
- World Trade Center 11: Gift, Home & Design, and Fashion Accessories
- World Trade Center 12: Apparel
- Market Hall: Cash & Carry, Artisan Cash & Carry, Vintage Home Décor
New Health & Safety Guidelines
New guidelines are outlined on the front page of the Dallas Market Center website and include behaviors such as wearing masks and social distancing, as well as operational changes such as deep cleaning and no gatherings as well as limited food options such as individually packaged and to-go food service from multiple outlets. Along with these new steps, there are safety measures that are part of the design of the marketplace: open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers. There are no appointments required but while on campus everyone should follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control regarding good hygiene, sanitation and social distancing.
Special Hotel Offers
Dallas Market Center partner hotels are offering new, lower rates to support buyer travel budgets. Dozens of hotels, many within walking distance of the campus, are offering updated rates as low as $99. Rates valid until 2 weeks prior to market, based on availability and are subject to change at any time so please reach out to Market Travel online or by calling 214-744-7444.
Digital Events and Displays
Recognizing the need for inspiration and education at a distance, the market will present digital programming before and during the show. Videos, email content, and social media posts will provide product previews and business intelligence from Dallas Market Center and industry thought leaders. While at the show, interactive displays will feature new product insights and business intelligence on demand.
Spark Magazine: In Good Company
A special edition of the official market magazine will arrive in buyer mailboxes and in boxes in July with the theme of working together for business recovery. The issue centers around the concept of being “In Good Company” and will provide plenty of inspiring stories of adaptation and inspiration for businesses on the rebound as well as product previews for what’s new across the marketplace.
Retail Excellence Awards: A Virtual Edition
In partnership with Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine, Dallas Market Center is proud to support the 69th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards honoring leading retailers. The event was originally scheduled to take place live in Dallas but will be held virtually on August 6 via the Gifts & Decorative Accessories Facebook page. Seven retail awards will be announced, as well as the vendor and manufacturer’s representative of the year. Everyone is invited to participate in the live streaming virtual cocktail hour and awards ceremony. A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit Gift for Life, the industry’s charitable organization raising funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations including A Sister’s Gift in Dallas, which serves women living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS.
StyleEyes Trend Scouts Return
The knowledge and taste-making skills of leading industry influencers mark the return of StyleEyes. The group of trend scouts will identify must-see and unique products and trends across the marketplace including gifts, home decor, lighting, holiday/floral and fashion. Each day of the show members of the StyleEyes team will offer Instagram posts highlighting their discoveries. Market guests are invited to participate by following individual team members as well as Dallas Market Center on Instagram and by using #DallasStyleEyes. Products identified by the StyleEyes will also be called out with special signage inside exhibitor showrooms and booths.
Additional Summer Trade Events
In addition to the August Total Home and Gift Market, other trade events this summer offer buyers a safe and welcoming marketplace. Those events include July 1st Monday & Tuesday (July 6-7), July Open House (July 21-23), August 1st Monday & Tuesday (August 3-4), and August Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld Market, and Western Market (August 25-28). These events will feature showrooms open by appointment. Buyers are encouraged to check the website for a list of open showrooms and call ahead for confirmation and to make an appointment.
To make plans and to register for the show, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by connecting with Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the DMC Blog.
