Dallas Market Center Announces Opposition to Texas Bathroom Bill
Dallas Market Center has joined leading companies in opposition to Texas state legislation currently under consideration that would target individual access to restrooms. The so-called “bathroom bills” currently being debated in special session would have a negative effect upon business in the state, would deteriorate the state’s reputation for being welcoming to all, and run counter to Dallas Market Center’s company values of inclusion and diversity.
“For six decades, our company has brought together buyers and sellers for the benefit of all participants from around the world,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Today that reputation is under threat by Texas politicians who do not understand how easily customers and key industry organizations can make a choice to do business elsewhere nor how important it is to promote that Texas is open for business to everyone. We stand opposed to this unnecessary and reckless legislation.”
Dallas Market Center is one of the largest business-to-business marketplaces in the world and is a magnet for business travel, welcoming more than 200,000 industry professionals to its campus each year from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. These customers conduct commerce within the more than 1,800 permanent showrooms at Dallas Market Center and participate in the nine major trade events taking place each year. Its total economic impact on the City of Dallas, according to the latest independent study, approaches $1 billion each year.
Dallas Market Center joins a coalition of law enforcement, business leadership, sports organizations, and convention and visitors bureaus to oppose the legislation. Police chiefs from three of the five largest cities in the state recently conducted a press conference in opposition to the legislation. Leadership of local companies with a global presence including American Airlines, AT&T, Atmos Energy, The Beck Group, BNSF Railway, Celanese, Crow Holdings, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, EJ Smith Enterprises, Fluor, Kimberly-Clark, Southwest Airlines, Tenet Healthcare, and Texas Instruments recently co-signed a letter expressing concern that the bills “would seriously hurt the state’s ability to attract new business, investment and jobs.”
Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center, added: “We encourage our customers, business partners, and industry organizations to join us by contacting key state office holders including the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the Texas House of Representatives to voice opposition.”
To view the Dallas Market Center letter to Governor Abbott click here.
To send a message to say NO to Texas House Bill 46 and House Bill 50, click here. To contact Governor Abbott directly to share your concerns click here.
