The upcoming International Lighting Market in Dallas is poised to help showrooms gain the competitive advantage in 2012.
“The uncertain housing market continues to affect retail lighting showrooms and, in return, makes it more important than ever to offer unique and new product choices for their customers,” says Bill Winsor, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Our twice-a-year International Lighting Market allows buyers to keep up-to-date on the product landscape, the latest trends, technological advances, and much more. It’s an investment of 10 days a year at Market (in January and June) to help lighting retailers remain successful during these challenging economic times. Our goal is to create an inspiring marketplace and to help in any way we can with their business success.”
The Dallas International Lighting Market (January 19-23) will mark the debut of many freshly renovated showrooms as well as new resources for buyers. It will also offer attendees inspiration through educational seminars presented by the American Lighting Association (ALA).
“As we move into 2012, Dallas Market Center remains the premier source for wholesale lighting,” Winsor states. “January Market is a pivotal time for our buyers and we look forward to providing them with the best products the lighting industry can offer.”
Lighting buyers will be delighted to find several companies making their Dallas debut: Recesso Lighting (Spectrum showroom), SLV Lighting (Spectrum), and Star Fire Crystal (TM 4-4509).
The ALA will present several educational seminars during Market in World Trade Center (WTC) 3-345:
• “Ideas for New Light Sources for High Quality Residential Lighting to Replace the 100 Watt ‘A’ Lamp” presented by Fred Oberkircher, FIESNA, Educational IALD, IDA, LC; Friday, January 20 from 8 – 9:30 a.m.; sponsored by Westinghouse Lighting
• “Lighting Concepts for Upselling to the Boomer Generation for the Residential Lighting Setting” presented by Fred Oberkircher; Friday, January 20 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.; sponsored by Hubbardton Forge
• “How to Buy Right and Update Your Showroom” presented by Denis Caldora; Saturday, January 21 from 8 – 9:30 a.m.; sponsored by Holtkötter International
• “Educate and Motivate Your Sales People for Today’s New Market” presented by Denis Caldora; Saturday, January 21 from noon – 1:30 p.m.; sponsored by Emerson
While attending the International Lighting Market, be sure to check out the expanded FINDS Dallas Temp Show, which is held concurrently with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. The January edition boasts a 30-percent increase in new sources over the past five years and will feature a new category called Vintage Home. Nearly 500,000 square feet is devoted to FINDS, including an emphasis on American-made products as well as the usual Furniture, Garden & Outdoor, Home & Hill Country, and Furniture categories.
“Our team continues to deliver new relevant categories and fresh products throughout FINDS,” states Cindy Morris, COO of Dallas Market Center. “Handmade and vintage continues to grow and will be seen throughout the temporaries; and the exciting addition of the Made in the U.S.A. designation will serve buyers well.”
Vintage Home FINDS will be launched in Market Hall (North Hall). The category is comprised of antique and vintage-type items for the home. It will share the North Hall with Furniture FINDS, and offers immediate delivery merchandise.
To help buyers easily locate the manufacturers of domestically made goods, a bold Made in the USA logo will be displayed on their booth signs.
For the first time during a January Market, Design FINDS will be located on the Trade Mart’s 1st floor. The category has doubled in size since the June show and will present a range of exhibitors including Ann Gish, BlissLiving Home, Bungalow, D. Stevens, Karma Living, Lunares, Mary Lake Thompson, Niven Morgan, Rojo 16, and Yala among others.
