Dallas Market Center Moves Forward With August Events
August 19, 2020
Thanks to strong health and safety measures and a new touchless registration system to protect event participants, more than 95 percent of permanent showrooms will be open for business during the August Market events at Dallas Market Center. This 5-million-square-foot wholesale marketplace for retailers and interior designers is located near downtown Dallas.
More than 800 permanent showrooms and 450 temporary spaces will be open during the Total Home & Gift Market, set for Aug. 19-25; and the Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld and the Western & English Market, all three of which will take place Aug. 25-28. The Men’s Show was held Aug. 14-17. Among the exhibitors in permanent spaces are 67 new, expanded or relocated showrooms.
“We’re extremely pleased with the high level of participation for August events,” said Cindy Morris, Dallas Market Center president and CEO. “Thank you to our showrooms and temps for their consistent communication, flexibility and partnership on strict health and safety measures.”
According to market officials, pre-registration for the August events accelerated by more than 35 percent following encouraging news that COVID-19 cases had declined in Dallas County in July (a situation that has hanged in recent days, according to local news reports), along with the recent debut of DMC’s new touchless registration system, FastPass.
Available through DMC’s website, FastPass is a one-step pre-registration for buyers that delivers an immediate email confirmation and barcode. Recent improvements have made the process of registering for it easier, while obtaining a FastPass on-site is now quicker and low-contact, according to DMC officials.
Meanwhile, strict measures to ensure visitor health and safety — including existing procedures for social distancing, a mask requirement and mandatory temperature checks for all event participants — will be in place for all August events and the foreseeable future. The guidelines, which were put in place for the Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld Market events in June, have been integrated into the events’ design, with open parking, large entryways, wide hallways, multiple escalators and controlled showroom access to allow for social distancing.
Created in accordance with national and local health authority guidelines, these comprehensive efforts also cover facility operations, food and beverage service, shuttles and employee screening.
“Our primary concern is the well-being of our customers, and throughout this pandemic we have been in close contact with state and local officials as well as our customer community to seek their perspective on business conditions, health and safety measures, and travel concerns,” Morris said in a statement.
In addition to its gift, home décor, lighting, holiday, floral, gourmet, housewares and fashion showrooms, Dallas Market Center also houses the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America; the largest open-daily design center; trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; and a comprehensive apparel and accessories marketplace.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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