Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market Breaks Buyer and Exhibitor Participation Records
February 28, 2023
For a large B2B trade show, there’s nothing better than starting off a new year with robust, record-breaking participation. Case in point: Dallas Market Center’s January Apparel & Accessories Market, the largest U.S. marketplace for women’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Held Jan. 10-13, the venue’s largest event in years enjoyed an overall attendance increase versus pre-pandemic shows and featured an expanded marketplace of approximately 750 exhibitors, including new permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors.
In addition to overall participation gains, the January show welcomed more buyers from key U.S. regions including the Southeast and upper Midwest as well as internationally. The event’s increase in reach and attendance comes on the heels of 2022 marketplace shows that were up almost 20% compared to 2019, according to Dallas Market Center officials.
“The year began with a big show in Dallas, marketplace enthusiasm and strong order writing from retailers visiting from coast to coast and internationally,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are thrilled with the momentum and the new buyers who are choosing to do business in Dallas. They tell us they feel inspired and supported by our marketplace and its exhibitor community.”
Also taking place at the same time as the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market were the WESA International Western and Equipment Market and the AETA Equestrian Show, held Jan. 12-15, which also experienced significant attendance gains.
A Boom in Buyers
Besides thousands of buyers, the January 2023 show welcomed major stores representing hundreds of millions of dollars in purchasing power, including Boot Barn, Buckle, Choctaw Casino Retail, Landry’s Retail, Cavenders, Scheels, Tylers and Von Maur.
Many retailers commented that they continue to return to the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market not only because of the incredible variety of vendors and product but also the convenience of finding everything they need for their stores under one roof.
For first-time attendee Charlene Harrison from Apricot Lane in Colorado Springs, the show’s positive reputation served as a huge draw.
“Everyone says this [show is] the best, so we don’t have to go anywhere else,” Harrison said. “There [are]…a lot of new brands here. We are having such a good time, [and] it’s exceeded our expectations.”
Additions, Expansions and Highlights
In preparation for the show’s anticipated surge in attendance, Dallas Market Center grew its footwear neighborhood and experienced a 45% jump in showroom exhibitors compared with 2021. The event also expanded its apparel and accessories options, including in its Young Contemporary section across two floors as well as new and expanded permanent showrooms.
Event highlights included a contemporary fashion show for hundreds of buyers at the World Trade Center atrium as well as a Western and English Fashion Show that welcomed hundreds of guests for the show and live music.
A global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America, Dallas Market Center connects retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in gourmet and housewares, home décor, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting and apparel.
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Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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