Design + Build Day returned to Dallas Market Center on Tuesday, June 23, the day before Lightovation officially opened its doors.
The full-day program brought together interior designers, architects, builders, and retailers for a lineup of panels, tours, and networking moments across the Trade Mart lighting neighborhood, with chief editors from Custom Builder and Business of Home leading much of the conversation.
“National designer engagement with Lightovation continues to grow, thanks to the unmatched breadth of lighting resources found in Dallas,” said Laura Van Zeyl, Vice President of Market for Lightovation at Dallas Market Center. “Design + Build Day creates high-quality programming and networking opportunities for these trade professionals, some of whom are visiting Dallas Market Center for the first time. And strong media partnerships have further enhanced the event.”
Starting the Day at Hubbardton Forge
The morning began with a welcome breakfast inside the Hubbardton Forge showroom, giving attendees an easy, informal way to connect with fellow designers and builders before the day's programming got underway.
Collaboration Wins & Costly Mistakes
Pauline Hammerbeck, Head of Content for Custom Builder, moderated the day's first panel, "Collaboration Wins & Costly Mistakes: An Architect, Builder and Designer in Conversation."
Panelists Bob Appert of White Oaks Savanna and Redstone Builders, Eric M. Johnson of Christopher Strom Architects, and Mark Keilson of Oldner Lighting shared candid perspectives on where projects go right — and where they go sideways — when communication breaks down between architects, builders, developers, and lighting designers. The CEU-accredited session offered practical tips for tightening up workflows across every stage of a build.
From there, Hammerbeck led a Made in the Americas Exhibitor Tour, guiding attendees through standout lighting showrooms featuring designs crafted across the hemisphere.
Women Who Build
At midday, Nikki Watson, founder of The Design Quad, hosted a Women Who Build Lunch & Learn sponsored by Buster + Punch. Watson sat down with Mae Reedy of Mae Reedy Build + Design, Sue Berk of Berk + Walters Homes, and Jen Stevens of Fonde Interiors for a conversation on how closer collaboration between design and construction teams leads to stronger project outcomes. The CEU-accredited panel drew a full room for its complimentary lunch and candid discussion.
Becoming the Builder's Designer
In the afternoon, Kaitlin Petersen, Editor-in-Chief of Business of Home, moderated "Becoming the Builder's Designer," a discussion with acclaimed designers Corey Damen Jenkins, Alison Giese, and Erin Sander on working more effectively alongside contractors.
Petersen followed the panel with a Business of Home Showrooms Tour, walking attendees through must-see decorative lighting destinations while weaving in behind-the-scenes conversations about the business side of design.
Closing with Corey Damen Jenkins
The day wrapped with a celebratory closing reception at Eichholtz, where AD100 designer Corey Damen Jenkins met with attendees to mark the debut of his new lighting line for the brand. Jenkins signed copies of his book Design Reimagined: A Fresh and Colorful Take on Timeless Rooms for the first 100 guests, closing out the day with refreshments and networking among the design, build, and lighting communities.
Setting the Stage for Lightovation
Design + Build Day set the tone for four days (June 24-27) of Lightovation, North America's largest and most comprehensive residential lighting show. The market showcased the latest in indoor and outdoor lighting, decorative and architectural fixtures, ceiling fans, smart systems, and more, rounded out by additional design programming including the Design Ambassadors Vignette Reveal Party, which debuted new vignettes from Pulp Design Studios and Coco & Dash Interiors.
What's Next: ArchLIGHT Summit & Dallas Design Week
The conversations don't stop here. Mark your calendars for September 15-16, when Dallas Market Center hosts ArchLIGHT Summit, the fast-growing lighting trade event built for architects, lighting designers, and interior designers. Expect new product launches from leading commercial lighting brands, accredited educational sessions, and hands-on experiences designed to help design and build professionals sharpen their craft.
ArchLIGHT Summit runs alongside Dallas Design Week, giving attendees even more reason to spend the week in Dallas enjoying everything from showroom events to additional networking and CEU opportunities across the campus. Register here.