“Speaking of Retail: A Collective of Conversations” Headlines Educational Events at January Total Home & Gift Market
Furniture World News Desk on
11/15/2024
Dallas Market Center presents a wide range of inspiring and educational events during its
upcoming Total Home & Gift Market, January 8-14, 2025.
The headline event open to all buyers is "Speaking of Retail: A Collective of Conversations," taking place January
8-10 and presented by Dallas Market Center, Coco & Dash, and ART. This engaging conversation series features
industry experts directing honest conversations during three sessions over three days. The sessions are open to all
market attendees and will take place in the new Textile Salon, IHDC 2F215. Lunch will be provided. An RVSP for this
speaking series is highly encouraged. https://dallasmarket.wufoo.com/forms/rua00oy0so1y67/.
- Wednesday, January 8, noon-1p.m., IHDC 2F215
Family Ties, Navigating Family Dynamics in Business Ownership
Panelists - Teddie Garrigan and Courtney Garrigan/Coco & Dash; Kathy Adams, Kelly Clark, Kristy Adams/Kathy Adams
Furniture
Beneficial information for every business owner, experts share insights on leveraging strengths and resolving
conflicts while exploring the unique challenges and benefits of working with family.
- Thursday, January 9, noon-1p.m., IHDC 2F215
Visual Storytelling, Merchandising & Creating Spaces that Engage
Panelists - Laura Hodges/Domain by Laura Hodges Studio; Kenneth Ludwig/Kenneth Ludwig
Moderators - Teddie Garrigan/Courtney Garrigan
Focusing on the art of using design to tell a brand’s story and captivate customers, experts discuss strategies
for creating immersive environments through thoughtful displays, layout, and decor.
- Friday, January 10, noon-1p.m., IHDC 2F215
Studio to Storefront, Making the Journey from Design to Brick & Mortar
Panelists - Susan Hoechner/Barbara Stewart Interiors; Jamie Merida/Bountiful Home
Moderators - Teddie Garrigan/Courtney Garrigan
Experts share experiences and strategies for overcoming challenges, attracting customers, and balancing a
studio-based design business with the demands of a physical store environment.
Other events highlights include the following. Remember to visit the Dallas Market
Center website to view a full schedule of events. Note that buyers new to Dallas are invited to the DMC
Scoop taking place Wednesday to Saturday at 9am in the World Trade Center atrium. As well, open daily is the Buyers
Lounge on WTC 13, the Designers’ Lounge in the new Textile Salon, IHDC 2F214, and the New Product Gallery on
the WTC 12th floor.
Tuesday, January 7
- 4 p.m. | Interior Designer VIP Preview of LUXE Design – TM – Atrium
Dallas Market Center invites Interior Designers for an exclusive preview of LUXE Design in the Trade Mart Pavilion.
This juried collection of temporaries features DMC's most prestigious, curated collection of high design home
accents, specialty gift & tabletop items. Enjoy drinks, light bites, fun giveaways, and discover unique luxury
items to complete every lifetsyle design.
Wednesday, January 8
- 10 a.m. | WTC 11 Temps Launch Party – WTC 11 Temps
Join us to celebrate the premiere of the NEW home of fashion during Total Home & Gift Temps on WTC 11,
showcasing BOUTIQUE, a curated collection of design-led jewelry, accessories & fashion, alongside Young
Contemporary Apparel and Jewelry & Fashion Accessories. Discover your new destination for style and
sophistication!
- Noon | Taste of 12 at 12: Gourmet Category & Wine Tasting - WTC 12 Gourmet Temps
Join us on WTC 12 at 12pm to savor the delicacies of the Gourmet Temps and pair tastings with our complimentary
selection of red and white wines.
- 1 p.m. | Temps Power Hour – WTC 12 Temps
Join us for swag bags, a DJ, and giveaways including hotel nights, American Express gift cards, restaurant gift
cards, and an iPad.
- 3 pm | Bubbles & Baubles – WTC 7
Visit the bar to grab a glass of champagne and a bag for all your SWAG, then visit participating showrooms to
fill it with exclusive gifts (available to the first 50 Buyers in line).
- 3:30 p.m. | Cocktail Chats with Heart on Main Street: The Power of Photography to Drive Sales - WTC 12
Temps
Heart on Main Street is excited to bring you an exclusive, hands-on session with Janzen Tew of Denim
& Velvet, where we’ll explore the essentials of photography and lighting to elevate your brand’s
marketing. Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent retailers, is committed to
providing tools and resources small business owners need to thrive. This seminar is part of their ongoing effort
to help local retailers harness the power of branding and marketing in today’s visual-first world.
- 6 p.m. | Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) party - WTC 15, D15strict Lounge
Networking event open to GHTA members and guests with RSVP.
Thursday, January 9
- 10:30 a.m. | East Coast VS West Coast: Reality Wars with Jill Zarin & Sabrina Soto - Texas Showdown
– WTC 1- Atrium
Experience an exciting style showdown as design icons Jill Zarin and Sabrina Soto, moderated by Johnathan Miller of
JSquared Design, explore East Coast vs. West Coast aesthetics. Sponsored by Unique Loom and Dallas Market Center,
the panel will highlight their rug collections and together, they’ll explore what it means to meet in the
middle—in Texas style. Attendees will walk away inspired by regional design influences and the power of rugs
to anchor and elevate any space.
- Noon | Taste of 12 at 12: Gourmet Category & Wine Tasting - WTC 12 Gourmet Temps
Join us on WTC 12 at 12pm to savor the delicacies of the Gourmet Temps and pair tastings with our complimentary
selection of red and white wines.
- 1 p.m. | Temps Power Hour – WTC 11 Temps
Join us for swag bags, a DJ, and giveaways including hotel nights, American Express gift cards, restaurant gift
cards, and an iPad.
- 2 p.m. | Patti Carpenter Reports & IHDC Home Accents Trend Tour - The Textile Salon, IHDC
2F215
Get inspired and informed with Patti Carpenter, Global Trend Ambassador, as she reports on color, materials,
prints, and surface design in the US Home Decor market for 2025 and beyond. Join her after the presentation at
3p.m. for a tour of the Interior Home & Design Center as Patti introduces you to key showroom contacts and
contextualizes her talk by showcasing trending Home Accent product in 2025.
- 3:30 pm | Cocktail Chats with Heart on Main Street: AI 101 for Independent Retailers. Location
- WTC 12 Temps. Join Heart on Main Street, a dedicated non-profit organization focused on
helping independent retailers thrive in an ever-changing marketplace, for an informative seminar on demystifying
the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for small business owners. During this exclusive Cocktail Chat, The
Gerson Companies will dive into how AI can transform your retail business, making it more efficient,
data-driven, and competitive without a huge tech budget or complex systems.
- 5 p.m. | Fireside Chat with ARTS Awards Product Designer Finalists & Sharon Davis - IHDC
2F212
Kick off the excitement for the 35th Annual ARTS Awards with an exclusive panel discussion featuring product
design finalists who are shaping the home accents industry. Designers David Kitts, Dann Foley, Breegan Jane, and
Lisa McDennon will share their insights on design trends, sources of inspiration, and what excites them about
the future of product design. Moderated by Sharon Davis, this lively discussion will also include revealing the
unique perspective and personality behind each designer’s work. Don’t miss this inspiring
conversation with industry leaders ahead of awards night!
- 6 p.m. | 35th ARTS Awards Gallery Preview Party - IHDC 2F212
Join us the night before the 35th Annual ARTS Awards gala for an exclusive Preview Party, celebrating the
remarkable talent of this year's honorees. Step into a curated gallery showcasing standout products from our
manufacturing and product design finalists, offering a unique preview of the innovation and craftsmanship that
define the home industry. Mingle with finalists, industry leaders, and fellow guests as you explore these
exceptional pieces up close, all in anticipation of the awards celebration.
Friday, January 10
- 9:30 a.m. | DMC Live Podcast Studio: Redesigning Life with Sabrina Soto – WTC 12
Temps
Join us live from market for a live recording of Redesigning Life, where TV personality and designer Sabrina
Soto hosts open, honest conversations on life, growth, and purpose. This special market edition will feature
insights and stories from top designers, retailers, and gift exhibitors, bringing inspiration and a fresh
perspective on redesigning life and business. Come for motivation, connection, and a reminder that we can all
use a little redesign sometimes.
- 10 a.m. | Build Your Dream House with Tan France & Cara Fox - WTC 1 –
Atrium
Join iconic fashion designer, entrepreneur, and television personality, Tan France for an exclusive conversation
with renowned interior designer Cara Fox, of The Fox Group, as they discuss the exciting journey of building
Tan’s dream home in the picturesque landscape of Utah. In this intimate, behind-the-scenes event, Tan
& Cara share their design preferences, vision, and the highs and lows of working to create a space that
perfectly reflects his personality, lifestyle, and love for classic elegance with a modern twist.
- 11 a.m. | LUXE Design Brunch – TM Atrium
Enjoy brunch bites, a seasonal spritz, and exploration of this juried collection of temporaries featuring DMC's
most prestigious, curated collection of high design home accents, specialty gift & tabletop items.
- Noon | Taste of 12 at 12: Gourmet Category & Wine Tasting - WTC 12 Gourmet Temps
Join us on WTC 12 at 12pm to savor the delicacies of the Gourmet Temps and pair tastings with our complimentary
selection of red and white wines.
- 1 p.m. | Temps Power Hour - Market Hall
Join us for swag bags, a DJ, and giveaways including hotel nights, American Express gift cards, restaurant gift
cards, and an iPad.
- 1:30 p.m.| Fireside Chat with ARTS Awards Interior Design Finalists - WTC 1-Atrium
Join moderator Patti Carpenter, global trend forecaster, in dialog with ARTS Awards finalists including Ginger
Curtis, Christi Barbour, Corey Damen Jenkins, and Christopher Todd.
- 3:30 p.m. | Cocktail Chats with Gifts & Decorative Accessories: Winning Retail Strategies with
Former Retailer Excellence Award Finalists
Lenise Willis of Gifts & Decorative Accessories provides insights into the upcoming Retailer Excellence
Awards in June 2025 and what makes for a winning nomination. She will be joined by past REA Finalists to discuss
some of their best retail tips, tricks, and strategies. The group will share advice and success stories
regarding store events, social media and digital promotions, visual merchandising, and upsell techniques.
Panelists:
- Abbie Tracy - Apple Blvd. | Frisco, Texas
- Beth Rich - Mix It Up Gift and Mix It Up Home | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- 6 p.m. | The 35th ARTS Awards Gala – Hilton Anatole
Annual event honoring the best in the business of home including retailers, sales representatives,
manufacturers, designers and special awards. RSVP and ticket required.
About Dallas Market Center
Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North
America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in home décor, furniture, gifts,
lighting and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50
states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the
year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; the nation’s most
comprehensive apparel and accessories markets featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers;
the world’s largest western marketplace, opening in 2021; the largest residential lighting trade event
in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. The marketplace is located in the
strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80 percent of Dallas Market Center buyers report that
they do not shop other market centers. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation
Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.