I’m still catching my breath — and resting my feet too — but it’s been an amazing start to 2026 here in Dallas. Between Total Home & Gift Market, Lightovation, Fashion Week, the ARTS Awards, and all the events surrounding January markets, it’s been incredibly reassuring to see the strength of both Dallas Market Center and the in-person business model.
It began the week after New Year’s with Total Gift & Home. Even before we tallied up the final numbers we knew we had a winner. In fact, just through the first part of the market we had already marked the best attended January show in multiple years.
The attendance increase was notable for a wider geographic reach, attracting retailers and interior designers from across the U.S. and internationally, with preliminary numbers showing the strongest growth from the western U.S. After those years earlier in the decade when some people questioned the long-term viability of wholesale market centers, it’s been very gratifying to see how the business has come back in full force.
Lightovation, the largest residential lighting trade event in North America, delivered its strongest show attendance in multiple years, with a 25% increase in attendance, driven by buyer traffic from all 50 states and internationally, including retail showrooms, but also interior designers, architects, builders, and kitchen and bath centers. Buyers visited many new and expanded lighting exhibitors, attended seminars and tours, and participated in Design + Build Day.
Total Gift & Home was highlighted by the annual ARTS Awards, which celebrate the best and brightest of the industry with honors for retailers, sales reps, interior designers and product creators. This year we had special recognitions for three in the industry: John Feizy, the late founder and leader of his namesake rug and home décor brand who received the Academy of Achievement honor; Heart on Main Street and its founder Patrick Kaiser, the philanthropic organization that helps independent retailers hit by natural disaster, with the Hearts Award; and our own Bill Winsor, the chairman emeritus of the Dallas Market Center who passed away in 2024 and was so instrumental in both the success of our business and, personally, my career, with the Legendary Leadership honor.
Our Women's and KidsWorld markets were the best attended January shows in multiple years, and, once again, our Western and English shows broke records for exhibitors and traffic. Across the temporary floors and permanent showrooms, the energy was extremely high as the Western trend continues to maintain interest among consumers. Also announced during Fashion Week was news that the summer edition of the Dallas Men’s Show will move to the 11th floor of the World Trade Center, bringing discovery and buying together under one roof and making it easier for all retailers to shop.
There is more excitement that happened during January, but you get the picture: January’s been an amazing month for us here, and I hope for you and your business, too.
Cindy Morris,
President and CEO, Dallas Market Center
