Market Report: Dallas

The summer shows often seem a little slower than the winter markets. And while the summer Dallas was quite active, it was still easier to get up to the top of the World Trade Center for the F!NDS temporaries than it was during the January show.

Nevertheless, the mood was upbeat. Colleen Ho, president of Berkeley Designs, expressed what many seem to be feeling about the business landscape: the attitude is still cautious, but there's anticipation of a turnaround.

A 100-foot banner hanging from the exterior façade of the World Trade Center announced that this was no ordinary market: this year marked the 50th anniversary of the Dallas Market Center, and the banner touted that fact along with a new DMC logo and tagline, “Big Past. Bigger Future.” The show marked beginning of a yearlong celebration that will include special events and displays looking back at the market center's past, as well as looking ahead to its future.

And speaking of the future…After a special presentation by Bill Winsor, CEO of the DMC, outlining progress on the Trade Mart's expansion, we were among a group of journalists and guests treated to a hard-hat tour of the lighting center's new construction. The tour, conducted by DMC project managers David Voss and Patti Echols, put the project in greater perspective. This huge undertaking — a 500,000 square foot addition to the Trade Mart — is already fully leased and construction is proceeding ahead of schedule.

For the complete Dallas Market Report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on “Direct From Market.”