Finally, some news we all want to hear: trade shows are happening once again! From June 23-26, Dallas Market Center hosted a successful Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld Market, drawing more than 85 percent attendance over the previous year.

The concurrent events, which were the first held since retail began to reopen in the region, offered buyers new brands and best-selling styles for business recovery and growth while debuting comprehensive health and safety measures.

Results exceeded all expectations, and show officials report consistent order writing throughout the socially distant marketplace. Importantly, the number of new buyers dramatically increased, totaling more than 17 percent of overall attendance. Buyers visited mainly from the immediate region but also arrived from more than 30 states across the Central U.S. and Southeast.

“Retailers are moving forward, and they’re eager to re-stock and renew their business,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Frankly, we didn’t know quite what to expect, so we are thrilled with attendance and with the feedback.”

She continued, “Buyers arrived from many different locations, [and] they were comfortable and cautiously confident in their order writing. Supported by strong new health measures, the Dallas marketplace is safe... and ready to serve customers this summer.”

Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld Market featured more than 400 showrooms open for business — approximately 70 percent of the usual showrooms — plus more than 80 temps. Buyers were focused on immediate delivery items in apparel and accessories, as well as fall and holiday styles from the women’s and western showrooms. KidsWorld Market welcomed childrenswear buyers seeking products for newborns to teens.

HERE is a video showing how GES and the Dallas Market Center worked together to ensure health and safety as a priority onsite. 

Attendee Feedback

“It’s been a great market,” said Rhonda Taub, co-owner of the Doug Taub showroom. “We’ve gotten people from all over the country...and a lot of new buyers. They felt like they wanted to get their goods early...and they’re coming back again in August [when] they’re going to do gift and apparel.”

Jaime Glas from Sparkle City, a temps exhibitor, said, “We’ve been busy this whole time...and now we’re really prepared for the next market. We have a lot of orders to go through!”

Trevor Brunt with B. b. Lila Jewelry, a temps exhibitor, agreed. “It’s been great—we have a lot of returning customers, quite a few new customers, and it’s been very busy,” he said.

Health and Safety Protocols

The show implemented new health and safety guidelines to promote good health for all. These included requiring temperature checks for every visitor every day, mandatory masks and strict social distancing. 

Operational changes included deep cleaning, no gatherings and limited food options such as individually packaged and to-go food service from multiple outlets. 

Along with these new steps, there were safety measures integrated into the design of the marketplace, including 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. 

While on campus, everyone was instructed to follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control regarding good hygiene, sanitation and social distancing, according to show officials. In line with health and safety guidelines, most educational events went virtual for the show. 

View more about Dallas Market Center’s upcoming trade shows this summer here.

Photo credit: Aniston Lane Boutique