Dallas Market Center's August Markets Post Best Attendance in Five Years
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
— Record new buyer growth and attendance gains in every region push the market to its strongest year since 2022. —
Dallas Market Center's August markets — Apparel & Accessories, KidsWorld, American Equestrian Trade Association (AETA), and Western & English Sales Association (WESA), all held concurrently August 18-21 — delivered their best combined attendance in five years, with new buyers making up close to a third of total attendance. DMC’s national reach has also expanded, with every region posting positive year-over-year growth and an especially big surge from international attendees, underscoring a buyer base that now reaches well beyond U.S. borders.
"Our market is where top retailers from coast to coast are choosing to do business," said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. "Four markets under one roof, all hitting new highs in the same week — that's buyers and exhibitors telling us that Dallas is where they can get more done and get inspired."
FOUR MARKETS, FOUR STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
- Apparel & Accessories Market on the rise. Attendance climbed steadily, posting its best new-company count in years.
- KidsWorld's best year yet. KidsWorld turned in its strongest performance on record, with retailer attendance up roughly 40% year-over-year.
- AETA surges. AETA nearly doubled its retailer attendance year-over-year.
- WESA sets the pace. Since relocating to Dallas, WESA has grown into the single biggest driver of the market's overall expansion, now representing roughly a quarter of all buyers across August markets.
Exhibitors felt the momentum, too. "New clients. Real B2B relationships. A hundred small conversations that added up to something real by the end of the fourth day,” said Navneet Singh, founder of leather bag brand Hyna. “Every person I spoke with treated a first-time exhibitor from India like he already belonged there."
A GROWING CAMPUS TO MATCH
The 10th floor of the World Trade Center added a wave of new and expanded permanent showrooms ahead of August market. Recognizable names including Wrangler Footwear, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Carhartt Footwear, Red Wing Shoe Company, Ferrell, and Old Gringo Boots joined the floor, alongside new Western apparel and accessories showrooms from Shea Baby, Howdy Hanny, and Lovlei Ranch, plus an expanded space for Montana West. Tack and equestrian offerings grew as well, with new permanent showrooms from Weaver Leather and AJR Sport, and German Equestrian and Back on Track relocating from temporary exhibit space into permanent homes.
Ahead of market, Dallas Market Center also rolled out its first footwear instructional video to help retailers add the category to their stores. This was reinforced by the Colombia Pavilion on the 13th floor, which showcased eight Colombian footwear brands in an open-concept booth.
A WEEK THAT FELT LIKE TEXAS
Buyers experienced Dallas Market Center’s Texas roots at every turn, from boot-shining and hat-shaping on the 14th floor to margaritas and sweet tea between showroom visits. The 10th Floor Expansion Party on August 18 even welcomed two adorable special guests: a pair of burros who toted longneck beers and posed for photos with delighted guests at the new Ferrell showroom.
Evening highlights included the popular Contemporary and Western & English fashion shows, the latter of which was preceded by a performance from Dallas-based Southern soul band Prophets and Outlaws.
PLANNING AHEAD
Up next is KidsWorld’s September 15-17 market. Running concurrently are the Gift & Home Market and Dallas Design Week, with ArchLIGHT Summit happening September 15-16.
The final 2026 Apparel & Accessories Market is October 20-23.
For information about all upcoming markets and events, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the new, completely redesigned Dallas Market Center mobile app. Stay current by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose blog.
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 gourmet and housewares, home décor, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting, and apparel. Inside its dynamic, 5 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 largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App.
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