New Year Kicks Off With 12+ Educational Sessions for Buyers in Dallas

Retailers looking to source products and store tips should get out their calendars for January. Dallas Market Center has announced its full schedule of events, and its first show of the year is packed with panel discussions, trend tours and more.

Running Jan. 7-13, the Total Home & Gift Market has more than a dozen educational sessions scheduled to “empower buyers to discover new products, connect with industry peers, and find inspiration,” DMC said in a press release.

A complete schedule is available on the Dallas Market Center website and app. Pre-registration, which is the exclusive method to receive a FastPass via mobile for quicker entry, is also available on the DMC website.

Other trade events taking place during the Total Home & Gift Market include Lightovation Jan. 10-13, and Design + Build Day on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

The 36th ARTS Awards

The ARTS Awards is a premier international awards program dedicated to home industry excellence and achievement, produced by Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network. The 36th ARTS Awards will take place on Friday, Jan. 9 at the Hilton Anatole hotel, hosted by Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley. The ARTS Awards will include category awards as well as a special Academy of Achievement honor for the late John Feizy, founder of Feizy; the HEARTS Award presented to Heart on Main Street honoring their dedication to small businesses and local communities, and the Legendary Leadership Award to be presented to the late Bill Winsor for his decades of vision, growth and dedication in design.

Daily Market Events

January market offers a full week of engaging events created for a productive and inspiring experience. Below is a selection of highlights; the full schedule is available online.

Daily events include:

• Jan. 7-10 | 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Ring In, Win Big! | WTC 12
  • Stop by the big red telephone booth on the 12th floor and leave DMC a quick message. Your store will be entered for a chance to be highlighted in the June issue of Spark Magazine — plus you could win two free hotel nights for your next market and an Amex gift card.
• Jan. 7-9 | Secret Box Brunch | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Enjoy a vibrant pop-up brunch with delicious bites, mimosas, and a curated gift box with exclusive goodies from select temp exhibitors.
• Jan. 7-9 Temps Open: Jan. 7 – WTC 12 Temps; Jan. 8 – WTC 11 Temps; Jan. 9 – Market Hall Temps.
• January 7-9 | 1 p.m. – Temps Swag Crawl
  • Be one of the first 50 buyers to hit the 11th floor and load up on free swag from your favorite temp booths. While you’re at it, grab a drink, meet some awesome people, and enjoy the good vibes.

Featured Events

• Boutique Hub Accessories Spotlight Tour Wed., Jan. 7, at 2 p.m., WTC 13: Meet at Buyer’s Lounge Join Boutique Hub’s Samantha Conner for a guided walking tour of the 13th floor showrooms, spotlighting the season’s must-have accessories and the trends shaping the next retail season.
• Designer Afternoon Mixer Hosted by IDS, ASID, ART, Wed., Jan. 7, at 2 p.m., Trade Mart 1 – Temps: Join fellow designers for a cocktail and connect, collaborate, and toast to the kick-off of a successful market in the LUXE Design Temps.
• Speaking of Retail: A Collective of Conversations – “Retail is Alive: Navigating New Challenges in the Home & Gift Marketplace” on Thurs., Jan. 8, at 10:30 a.m., IHDC 2F215 Textile Salon: A conversation about the challenges facing retailers today and the strategies driving success. Panelists share real-world insights on how creativity, connection and adaptability are keeping brick-and-mortar thriving.
• Lunch & Learn: Designed to Profit – Expanding Your Design Revenue with Custom Window Treatments Thurs., Jan. 8, at 12 noon, IHDC 2F215 – Textile Salon: Learn how to confidently add custom window coverings to your offerings, build strong workroom partnerships, price for profit, and communicate the value of custom fabrication. A complimentary lunch will be provided for attendees.
• Matouk: The Insider’s Guide to Luxury Bedding on Thurs., Jan. 8, at 1 p.m.,  IHDC 1D106:  Coco & Dash Discover how Matouk brings together beautiful designs, classic colors, timeless style, and meticulous craftsmanship to create beds that inspire and deliver lasting value for the design trade.
• Designer Hidden Gems Tour Led by Heather Fujikawa on Thurs., Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. Meet Outside Coco & Dash Join House Sprucing’s Heather Fujikawa for an exclusive walk-through of the Design Center (IHDC) and LUXE Design Temps, uncovering unique finds and insider favorites along the way.
• Boutique Hub Accessories Spotlight Tour on Thurs., Jan. 8, at 2 p.m., meet at WTC 11 Info Booth: Join Boutique Hub’s Samantha Conner for her second guided tour as she explores the 11th Floor Temps.
• Uncorked: 10 Minute Pop-In of The Gallery on Thurs., Jan. 8 at 3 p.m., meet at WTC 1: Enjoy a 10-minute champagne preview of The Gallery, a 22,000-square-foot, open-daily shared showroom space featuring curated home décor, home accents, furniture, and lighting.
• Fireside Chat with ARTS Awards Finalists – Home Frontiers: Navigating the Future of Design, Retail & Manufacturing on Thurs., Jan. 8, at 4 p.m., WTC 268, Uttermost:  A dynamic fireside conversation with leading voices in retail, product design, manufacturing, and interior design exploring how the industry collaborates, innovates, and adapts to changing trends, consumer expectations, and the future of home.
• 36th ARTS Awards Gallery Preview Party with Heart on Main Street on Thurs., Jan. 8, at 6 p.m., IHDC 2F212: Preview standout products from this year’s ARTS Awards manufacturing and product design finalists in a curated gallery setting and celebrate the innovation and craftsmanship that define the home industry.
• Uncorked: 10 Minute Pop-In of The Gallery Friday, Jan. 9, at 3 p.m. Meet at WTC 1 and enjoy a 10-minute champagne preview of The Gallery, a 22,000-square-foot, open-daily shared showroom space featuring curated home décor, home accents, furniture, and lighting.

Special Event Series

Top talent and timely insights take center stage at Dallas Market Center during Total Home & Gift Market with two must-attend event series designed to inspire and inform retailers. The Masters brings renowned floral and seasonal designers John Mark Sharpe, Presley Pierce, and Chris Norwood to the market floor for interactive demonstrations, where attendees can experience expert techniques, creative processes, and visual styling insights firsthand. Complementing these hands-on sessions, the series Speaking of Retail: A Collective of Conversations features engaging discussions focused on relevant business topics retailers are facing today, presented by Coco & Dash and ART.

A full list of events, including additional showroom parties and other celebratory events is available at dallasmarketcenter.com.