Dallas Market Center (DMC) has hired Kelly Bristol as VP/Tradeshow Business Development. With more than 20 years of experience in the tradeshow, wholesale, and consumer show industries, she will be responsible for the strategic planning, merchandising, and leasing of the temporary exhibits at Total Home & Gift Markets. She reports to EVP/Leasing Joan Ulrich.
Bristol joins DMC from Emerald Expositions, where she served in leadership positions since 1999, most recently as Show Director for the National Stationery Show.
“Kelly is a respected leader who has anticipated important shifts in the industry while creating and maintaining positive relationships with manufacturers, buyers, and agents around the world,” says Cindy Morris, President & CEO of DMC. “I am confident that her innovative and creative approach to tradeshows will deliver tremendous value for our marketplace, including adding many new resources and enhancing the overall market experience.”
Bristol joins DMC amid the company’s marketplace growth in key categories including gift and home décor. In addition to new and expanding permanent showrooms, the most recent Total Home & Gift Markets welcomed hundreds of temporary exhibitors including 150 new exhibitors across multiple categories. Her mission will be to evaluate and advance the temporary shows as the discovery destination and center of trends at DMC and to produce an inspiring collection of new resources for buyers.
In addition to corporate leadership, Bristol has served as the amfAR liaison to the board of Gift for Life, the industry charitable organization, and as a board member of the Greeting Card Association. In 2017, Kelly co-founded Writes for Women, an association for Stationery industry professionals raising funds for the Ms. Foundation for Women.
