Dallas Market Center celebrates six decades of business this summer with a high energy 60^th anniversary celebration during its upcoming June Total Home & Gift Market (June 21-27, 2017) and Lightovation — Dallas International Lighting Show (June 21-24, 2017).

The celebration will include more than 60 special events throughout the marketplace, the centerpiece of which is the 60^th Anniversary Party on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the World Trade Center Atrium. The event includes a free concert by Wade Bowen, the dynamic Texas country singer-songwriter. Bowen’s chart-topping music is a head-turning, foot-stomping sound influenced by outlaw country but displaying a modern take on the Red Dirt genre. In addition, the special celebration will feature food and drink, including an open bar with signature cocktail; a photo booth; and special giveaways.

Other market events include the grand opening of phase one of the Interior Home + Design Center (IHDC)—the largest home décor expansion at Dallas Market Center in more than forty years; the International Folk Art Market | Collection Preview Night; a holiday party on IHDC 2 featuring carnival fun; a progressive design party on WTC 9, 10 and 11; a Studio at KidsWorld Party; The Gourmet Gold Specialty Food Awards; The Collection & Housewares Block Party; and dozens of other promotions, giveaways, seminars, and special appearances.

“This is a must-attend celebration sixty years in the making, and our 60^th anniversary party is sure to be our biggest celebration to date. It’s a can’t-miss affair!” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “We invite our customers from around the world to help commemorate a remarkable history but more importantly to recognize a strong future together. Now more than ever retailers depend upon the special relationships, inspiration, discovery, and sophistication found only at Dallas Market Center. We are stronger today than at any point in our history: the largest and most successful open-daily marketplace, the biggest residential lighting market in North America, and the leading market for more new resources in home, gift, holiday, and fashion. We thank our customers for their continuing support.”

Inside Dallas Market Center showrooms, parties and personal appearances by celebrity designers and special guests will provide buyers with a chance to mix and mingle with company leaders and artists. Included in the schedule is a chance to meet 2-star Michelin executive chef and owner of TX Cucina Italiana, Sascia Marchesi, on Friday afternoon as he demonstrates Le Zie by OSTROMbrands with a tasting event (Culinary Bar, WTC 1; product showing in Gourmet Market, 180-D32); meet Bling–A-Go-Go owner and designer Kim Naumann (WTC 13925 and WTC 12-3417); an appearance by Hobo bags co-founder Koren Ray (WTC 13727); a Thursday reception with Bethany, the spokesperson and actress from Poo-Pourri viral videos (The Portico Collection, WTC 631); a chance to meet Twisted Wares designer/CEO Missy Livingston (The Portico Collection, WTC 631); Shay Shull, author of the Mix-And-Match blog with several cookbooks and a meal planner will be in the Cathy & Co showroom (TM 1600) on Friday 1-3pm; best-selling author Greg Jameson with WebStores discussing social media, 3D videos, and The Influencer Effect (Gourmet Market, WTC 180-B06); abstract artist Carol Benson-Cobb of Creative Touch will sign original pieces of art (WTC 6-615/616); Natalie Ann Spencer, creative director for Freckles Creative Studio, will highlight new products Wednesday – Friday (The Portico Collection, WTC 631); the creator of Simplified Soap, Ashley Waghorne, will make an appearance in the Wyda Ranch booth and present free testers (TM 1-856); fashion accessories designer Paige Wallace in her showroom (WTC 13692); and appearances in the Craig Clovis showroom (WTC 13325) by 14 different fashion accessories designers showcasing artisan jewelry, handbags, accessories, candles, handmade tops, and more. A full list of events and showroom specials is printed in the buyer’s directory available at market.

On the second floor of the Interior Home + Design Center, holiday and floral exhibitors will hold a Product Hunt contest during the show. The prizes include an Apple Macbook Air, iPad Mini4, and Apple Watch. Special individual showroom receptions and promotions will also be held inside Allstate Floral (2F234), Craig Bachman Imports (2F400), Direct Export (2F310), Hard Core (2F329), Kel-Toy (2F428), OIC International (2F333), Renaissance 2000 (2F10), and Zucker Feather Products (2F329).

In Lighting, a special appearance by J. Randall Powers for Visual Comfort in Taylors (IHDC 1D111); Crystorama (TM 3503) hosts a reception on Wednesday from 4-6pm with cocktails and a chocolate fountain; and Vaxcel (TM 3942) hosts decadent treats, snacks, beverages at Café Vaxcel; made-to-order omelets Thursday, 8-10:30am; and a chance to enter to win an iPad Mini, Apple Watch and more. On Friday, 4-7pm they host a Wine Tasting Party with a prize raffle.

To share information and heighten digital engagement among attendees, Dallas Market Center recently announced Market 360, the interactive market experience connecting attendees via new and existing media platforms and providing custom content. Market 360 programming will be available via Dallas Market Center’s existing social media channels as well as courtesy of on-site monitors and will include streaming content of market events and exclusive reports including DMC TV Live at 9, a new live broadcast morning show taking place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the atrium of the World Trade Center with special guests and segments previewing market events, trends, personalities, and the latest market news.

Dallas Market Center is located in the strongest economic zone in the U.S., and five of the ten fastest growing cities in the U.S. are located within Texas. In addition, travel costs to Dallas are the lowest among all major market destination cities. Two convenient airports and more than 8,000 free parking spaces, as well as an efficient regional rail system with a Dallas Market Center stop directly behind the marketplace, allow for easy access to the marketplace and other destinations.

To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and the DMC Daily Dose.