Jun 11, 2008

Seminar speaker highlights June Market in Dallas

DALLAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, is proud to host several celebrated speakers during next week’s June Total Home & Gift Market (June 18 – 24). This year’s keynote speakers include:

Hearst Publications’ Kelly Peterson will present “Home Rules: A Comprehensive Survey on How Americans Create Their Most Lived-in Rooms,” Friday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the Hall of Nations, World Trade Center (WTC) 1st floor. Her presentation is sponsored by WithIt, an organization that encourages and develops leadership, mentoring, education and career opportunities for women in the home furnishings, lighting, floral and decorative accessories industries. Kelly’s expertise within marketing, public relations, consumer magazine sales, and brand strategy is sure to enlighten everyone who attends.
Joe Ruggiero, designer for Sunbrella Fabrics, will present a fashion show bringing indoor and outdoor fabrics to the runway on Friday, June 20 at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Nations, WTC 1st floor. With 35 years of experience in design, Joe is considered a voice of authority and influence within the home furnishings industry. Joe is recognized as the first to bring home design programming to television. His indoor upholstery fabrics can be found in Charles Ray and Assoc. (WTC 9002) and his outdoor fabrics can be found in Rose Casual – Woodard Outdoor Furniture (WTC 9060).
Bravo’s “Top Chef” contestant, Chef Tre Wilcox, will discuss his appearance on the hit reality TV show as well as his experience as a nationally-known gourmet chef. Tre has been called a “culinary trademark name” by The Dallas Morning News, and his culinary skill and fun-loving personality led him to the position as the official spokesperson for Chantal Cookware. His presentation, “Cooking Up Reality,” will be held Saturday, June 21 at noon in the Hall of Nations, WTC 1st floor.
“Becoming a Destination Store” will be presented by Mary Carol Garrity, designer of The Mary Carol Home Collection. Nell Hill’s, Mary’s famed home accents and furniture store, in Kansas City attracts thousands of visitors each year. Her knowledge and insight has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Country Living and Fortune magazines. Mary will present advice based on her personal experience and style during her seminar on Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Nations, WTC 1st floor.

Dallas Market Center will offer a range of special events throughout market including discovery tours, seminars, daily new buyers’ orientations, hospitalities and networking parties. See a complete list of special events.

About Dallas Market Center
Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource. Within its marketplace of more than five million square feet, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and men’s, western, women’s and children’s apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 retail buyers from all 50 states and 84 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundreds of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits. As a result, more than $8 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center Web site is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com.