Market Report: Dallas

Although recent bad weather conditions in the TOLA region (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas) have been a concern here in Dallas, it has not affected the market attendance. The unusual icy winter road conditions haven't deterred buyers from descending on the Dallas Market Center (DMC) in much greater numbers than in recent years. Some of those who flew in experienced some difficulties and weather related delays; but road conditions did not keep away the many who drive to market — although showrooms did cite the weather as reason for the lighter than normal early traffic flow. Nevertheless, lines at registration were considerable, and by noontime on Friday, all the parking spaces at the DMC were filled to overflowing and an additional 3,000 spaces had to be obtained from neighboring properties to accommodate the overflow. Business is steady and growing; and coming off of a strong Atlanta, exhibitors are confident they will have a good Dallas market.

There's a lot going on: the DMC celebrated the grand opening of the Lighting Center, a 500,000-sq.-ft. expansion of the Dallas Trade Mart. And in grand Texas style, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with indoor fireworks officially opened the center for business. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller joined the DMC's Cindy Morris and Bill Winsor and representatives of the lighting industry for the ceremony.

Also, the Dallas Market Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. And all around the World Trade Center's atrium are displays citing the history and growth of the center, including a poignant re-cognition of the Trade Mart's connection to that dark day in Dallas and American history: the assassination of President Kennedy.

Throughout the market, in honor of the anniversary, DMC executives are randomly stopping buyers and surprising them with a birthday gift — an envelope containing $50 in cash. One recipient whom CEO Bill Winsor surprised is a retailer from Kansas who related that her town, her home and her store, severely affected by the extreme weather, have not had any power since December 29. She has had to rent generators to keep her business operating and her home heated! He was so moved by her story, Winsor presented her with not one, but two envelopes, each containing the $50 birthday gift.

On Thursday evening, there was the Lighting Center grand opening party highlighted by a Harley-Davidson motorcycle giveaway. Retailers who qualified were invited up on the stage to see if their key was the one to bring the Harley engine to life with a roar. As fate would have it, the lucky winner was a retailer from California who had recently promised his college-age son a motorcycle if he kept his grades at a B level.

A walk around the new lighting center is a treat. The showrooms are expansive and the companies have gone all out to make a good impression. Starting anew allowed them to really make a statement with their displays.

The Waterford showroom is especially eye-catching. The space is subdivided into lifestyle vignettes to show how the lighting works within the home. Not only does the showroom feature the company's lighting fixtures, but Waterford crystal decanters and stemware are also presented in the lifestyle vignettes and buyers were responding to the cross-merchandised approach. Many inquired as to whether the tabletop items were also available for ordering. Arrangements had to be made for the cross-category orders.

Waterford also had one of its lighting designers, Matthew Kehoe, and a master crystal cutter, Michael Vereker, present in the showroom to meet buyers. Kehoe was on hand to introduce his new lighting collection and Vereker demonstrated the fine art of cutting the complex patterns in crystal.

The move into the new center also gave the W.A.C. lighting showroom the opportunity to show their fixtures in vignettes, whether it is a kitchen, bath or retail space. This approach enables designers and buyers to better visualize how different types of fixtures can work together.

Meyda Tiffany is one of many lighting vendors that remained in its original space in the Trade Mart, but took advantage of the opportunity to spruce things up a bit.

Known for its traditional stained glass lighting, lamps and home decor, the company also moved forward with more contemporary lighting. Its Metro Collection features fused glass elements in its wall and pendant fixtures. This market the company was generating some buzz with its new Wine Bottle pendant lights and sconces made from real wine bottles.

Meyda Tiffany is also taking a more contemporary approach by adding a New Forge branch to its Old Forge Collection for a modern rustic look.

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