With the theme “In Good Company,” the Dallas Market Center (DMC) has released the latest edition of its twice-yearly Spark magazine in time for its upcoming summer trade events. Issues will be mailed to 50,000 readers in July and a digital version of the magazine is available on the DMC website front page.
The issue centers on the “In Good Company” phrase that the DMC began to use during the pandemic to highlight the generosity, strength, and kindness of its customer community of retailers, designers, sales representatives, manufacturers, showroom owners, and staff.
“This special edition, produced under challenging circumstances, reflects the resolute spirit and resilience of our customers,” says Penni Barton. “Its timely and insightful content is focused on the creative people who surround us and who ignite conversations, connections, and commerce to move business forward.”
The cover story of the summer 2020 issue, “Paper Reign,” profiles Anna and Nathan Bond of Rife Paper Co., who have transformed their start-up stationery company into a lifestyle brand with more than 900 products in 12 categories available in more than 6,000 retailers.
Other articles include a Q & A with Dallas-based artist Mariell Guzman; a profile of fashion designer Melis Kozan; a pictorial feature on lighting trends; retailers and designers discussing dealing with adversity; words from western wear honcho Jack Polizzi; plus marketplace news about new and expanding showrooms and a Temps preview.
Cindy Morris, President & CEO of DMC, adds, “Our community needs one another today more than ever. That support comes from the in-person market experience, but also inside the pages of Spark. From the cover story on the entrepreneurs at Rifle Paper Co. to the exhibitor highlights, no other marketplace is delivering such a unique point of view on inspiration and business.”
The publication is directed by DMC’s marketing division in collaboration with an external agency and an international group of designers and writers.
The DMC will be hosting a series of trade events in August: August 1st Monday & Tuesday (August 3-4); Dallas Men’s Show (August 14-17); Dallas Total Home & Gift Market (19-25; Temps August 19-22); Dallas Lighting Expo (August 19-21); Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market (August 25-28); KidsWorld (August 25-28); and Dallas Western and English Market (August 25-28). Masks and temperature checks are required for entry. A complete overview of health & safety protocols is available here: http://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/new-health-safety-measures.
