Aug 30, 2018

International Western/English Apparel & Equipment markets find a new home at Dallas Market Center

The Western & English Sales Association (WESA), producer of the world’s largest trade events for the Equestrian Industry, in collaboration with Dallas Market Center, the leading wholesale marketplace for buyers and sellers from around the world, announces that the International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Markets will relocate to Dallas Market Center beginning in January 2021.

The International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market in Dallas will take place twice annually in January and August and will feature more than 800 leading manufacturers in western and English apparel and fashion accessories, footwear, headwear and hats, tack, equipment, as well as workwear and safetywear. This globally recognized trade event and its exhibitors will complement the existing western resources at Dallas Market Center across apparel and accessories, gift, and home. The marketplace will be the largest showcase of Western and English resources in the world and the global marketing headquarters for many of the largest western brands.

The bi-annual International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Markets are expected to attract thousands of retail decision makers to Dallas including WESA’s loyal retail customers that have supported the Markets for decades along with major stores as well as independent western retailers, apparel stores, gift shops, e-commerce, and other retailers seeking new products. Dallas Market Center currently welcomes more than 200,000 customers to its 5 million square foot campus each year.

Dallas Market Center is centrally located within a short travel time from any location in the U.S. and Latin America and offers unmatched access to more western and rural lifestyle retailers and manufacturers as well as leading retailers in women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel and accessories, gifts, and home décor. The marketplace is also located in the strongest economic zone in the U.S. and serves five of the 10 fastest growing U.S. cities in its immediate region.

“After extensive conversations and with a shared mission of supporting the industry, we are working with Dallas Market Center in order to create new opportunities for sales representatives, manufacturers, and market attendees,” said Gerald Adame, president of WESA. “The central location, the Dallas facilities, the services, and the marketing support will all help WESA members serve existing customers and offer the ability to reach more new customers. Working together, I am confident that we will deliver unmatched value, inspiration, and commerce.”

“Dallas Market Center and WESA are committed to serving customers together by creating an enhanced market experience with better business opportunities,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “For retailers from around the world, we will work to deliver an inspiring market with a fresh mix of best-selling western brands and new products across more categories. For leading western and English manufacturers and sales representatives, we will provide first-rate facilities and services, and we will help deliver loyal and new buyers to expand their sales opportunities. For the entire community, this represents a shared dedication to making a change in order to help support business in a highly competitive environment. Collaborating with WESA is a tremendous opportunity to work with an organization that serves its members with a passionate commitment to helping them succeed.”

WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market will be located on the World Trade Center 11^th and 12^th floors, which will undergo an extensive update to accommodate the shows and temporary exhibitors. Permanent showrooms for western manufacturers desiring a controlled environment will be located on the 14^th floor.

“We believe the partnership between WESA and the Dallas Market Center represents a terrific opportunity for our retail partners,” said Beth Cross, CEO of Ariat International. “Dallas Market Center is a world-class facility and is committed to attracting new brands to the western market.”

“It makes great sense for the most important market to be centrally located adjacent to core customers and potential new accounts,” said Jamison Hochster, Westmoor Manufacturing (Rock & Roll Denim, Panhandle Western Wear). “We welcome this opportunity to showcase our products in a dynamic environment with new energy and to expand our business. We are bullish on the alliance.”

“No other marketplace has the facilities, the staff, and the support services to create large-scale events that serve the retailer quite like Dallas Market Center,” said Jackie Randall, vice president of merchandising and planning for Cavender’s. “We have enjoyed working with them, and retailers deserve the commitment to the customer found in Dallas. We are thrilled.”

“WESA Denver has been a phenomenal market for Professional’s Choice for the past 28 years,” said Monty Crist, Professional’s Choice General Manager. “Learning of the move to the Dallas Market Center in 2021 is an exciting endeavor that we look forward to. We feel that a fresh location will inject new life into the market and encourage our retailers to attend and achieve all of their needs in one convenient location.”

“The move to Dallas will reinvigorate the show in the numbers of attendance,” said Blake Sylvester from Central Saddle & Tack in Oklahoma. “The people that have heard about this move are excited – it’ll be easier getting in and out, you don’t have to be worried about the weather and any snow storms. I think that it’s going to be a great thing […] and cost-effective.”

“Everyone is excited – the move is good for buyers, and the vendors as well as they are able to expand in the Heart of the Western World,” said Jenna Garza, Sales Representative of Outdoor Crew. She added that Outdoor Crew’s numerous retailers “are extremely happy to be able to shop there as well.”

The addition of this trade event further extends Dallas Market Center’s position as the most complete wholesale marketplace in North America for lifestyle products in apparel and fashion accessories, gifts, home décor, holiday and floral, and lighting. Furthermore, the collaboration between WESA and Dallas Market Center capitalizes on more than 160 years of combined experience creating live events bringing buyers and sellers together.