We talk about relationships all the time but the fact is that the company you keep helps the company you run.
In the inaugural issue of D2B, I talked about partnerships including industry groups and associations. In this issue, I want to talk about relationships.
While our marketplace is the theater that brings together both brands and buyers, large and small - at the center of everything we do are relationships.
Whether it is our relationships with brands to understand their customers or our relationship with retailers to understand their competitive edge or our relationship with industry leaders who help both brands and retailers – they key to our success is positive, honest, supportive relationships. And this most often happens very directly. I have personally visited many of your corporate headquarters or retail stores to better understand your business because our success depends on your success.
The upcoming 2024 markets are another example of how we help build and maintain relationships. That includes supporting new exhibitors, creating educational content for buyers and providing a community for both.
Our temporary exhibitors, including new and unique products, are an important attraction. But many of these companies are new to business. That’s why we recently engaged sales expert and former exhibitor Michele Doty to provide training for first-time temp exhibitors across all industries. She is helping to teach them what to expect at market including what they need to do in advance to be successful. This is a new relationship that not only benefits the exhibitors but the retailers that shop them and the entire marketplace.
Educational content can also help create beneficial relationships. Courtney & Teddie Garrigan own Coco & Dash, an amazing upscale design boutique in Dallas. Alison Dodson owns A. Dodson’s in Suffolk, VA, a shopping oasis of fashion, home décor and gifts plus an incredibly successful online business. These ladies are so passionate, and giving, that they want to share their success and lessons learned to help other retailers. Working together, we are launching Speaking of Retail in January during Total Home & Gift Market. These will be one-hour sessions Wednesday through Friday focusing on social media, ecommerce and the value of working with sales reps.
Finally, I want to mention two community-oriented organizations we help support. Heart on Main, led by Patrick Keiser, believes that small businesses on Main Street are the backbone of their communities. Look for their events during Total Home & Gift Market.
The Boutique Hub was founded in 2013 by Ashley Alderson to support independent stores. Boutique Hub is now the largest and most trusted boutique retail community in the world focused on helping retailers build more profit, more impact and more sales with a lot less stress and time. Ashley will be joining Alison Dodson at a Speaking of Retail session; the organization has a permanent presence on the 13th floor of the WTC; and they will host their annual Boutique Summit in Dallas in March 2024.
In closing, the relationships we develop matter today more than ever, and we welcome your thoughts and connections to deepen ties and widen our reach. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Cindy Morris,
CEO, Dallas Market Center
