Trade Show News

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, near Dallas, on March 26, 2026, drawing significant attention to the region's capacity for large-scale political conventions. The article also notes that the Republican National Committee is considering Dallas to host a first-of-its-kind midterm convention before the November elections, with representatives touring the American Airlines Center. This highlights Dallas's ongoing efforts to attract major events and their economic impact.

The Republican Party is exploring Dallas as a potential host for an unprecedented midterm election convention at the American Airlines Center in 2026. National Republican leaders have reportedly toured the venue and reviewed rental details, though no official contracts have been signed.

Avion Hospitality has taken over management of the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, expanding its Dallas-Fort Worth portfolio. The 397-room hotel, recently acquired by Highline Hospitality, features over 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it a key destination for corporate meetings and conventions.

Hunter Advisors announced the sale of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Love Field on March 23, 2026. This transaction represents a notable development in the Dallas hospitality market. The sale is part of the ongoing finance and development activities within the hotel sector, impacting the broader convention and tourism landscape.

The City of Dallas's January 2026 Budget Accountability Report highlights that two percent of the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) is allocated for the Convention Center Expansion and Fair Park Facilities Venue Projects. HOT is the largest single revenue source for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Dallas-based The Virtual Wild announced the launch of WildView, an AI-driven analytics platform designed to provide precise measurement of human attention and interaction at live events. This technology aims to transform how brands and trade show organizers understand engagement.

Dallas-headquartered Freeman, a global leader in live events, introduced Freeman Blue Echo, an AI-powered 3D venue visualization platform. This platform transforms real convention centers into photorealistic, fully navigable 3D environments, allowing event organizers, designers, and brands to plan and visualize their events long before arriving on site. Freeman is deploying this capability across an initial library of 20 major U.S. convention centers.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI), which has a significant presence in Dallas, has collaborated with San Diego State University (SDSU) to redesign its Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) program. This initiative aims to update the curriculum and design of the premier designation for distinguished meeting professionals, ensuring it meets the evolving needs and business standards of the contemporary meeting and event industry. The changes were driven by input from three alumni-led committees.

A job posting for a Director of Business Development, DMC in Dallas seeks a leader with experience in B2B sales within hospitality, destination management, or events. The role involves driving new business growth and market expansion in the Dallas region, leading a sales team, and maintaining strong credibility within the destination market.

Lease Crutcher Lewis is collaborating with Rogers-O'Brien, a member of the Citadel Group, on projects in Dallas. This partnership highlights ongoing general contractor activity and strategic alliances within the construction industry in the Dallas region, impacting various development projects.

The Dallas Tech Expo 2026 is announced with multiple dates in May 2026, hosted by Capital Machine Tech Inc in Farmers Branch, TX. The event will showcase the latest in metal fabrication technology and automation, offering three days of open house with technical product demonstrations. It aims to provide cutting-edge training and information to industry professionals.

The Great American Franchise Expo is scheduled for October 24-25, 2026, at the Irving Convention Center, located just outside Dallas. This event offers valuable insights into the franchising world, connecting attendees with industry leaders, free coaching, and expert advice on starting and scaling a franchise. Attendees can register online to receive free entry.

Dallas Market Center has a packed schedule of upcoming markets for 2026 and early 2027, including Dallas Design Days (April 14-15), Lightovation Design + Build Day (June 23), Dallas Men's Show (July 25-27), AETA International Trade Show (August 18-21), ArchLIGHT Summit (September 15-16), and the Total Home & Gift Market (January 6-12, 2027). These events cater to various sectors like apparel, home goods, and lighting.

Dallas will be a hub for numerous trade fairs and expos in 2026, including the Travel & Adventure Show (March 28-29), Connected America (April 14-15), DentalForum USA Spring (April 20-22), Dallas Build Expo (April 22-May 23), Dallas Home Show (May 2-3), and Abilities Expo (Dec 4-6). These events cover a wide range of industries and interests.

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas. The article discusses political divisions among attendees, but the event itself is a major convention in the DFW area.

The Dallas Wings will take over the construction of their new $81M practice facility after the project fell behind schedule and went over budget. Additionally, the city is proceeding with renovations to the Dallas Memorial Auditorium at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which is slated to become the Wings' home arena. The arena renovations, initially expected for the current WNBA season, are now projected for completion in April 2028.

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas is among the largest U.S. convention centers moving forward with significant construction projects, as highlighted in Trade Show Executive's upcoming Pardon Our Dust report. This indicates a continued trend of expansion despite rising construction costs in early 2026.

Major demolition has commenced on Halls D, E, and F of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) as part of a $1 billion redevelopment project. Halls A, B, and C will remain active, including serving as the FIFA World Cup 2026 International Broadcast Center.

The Dallas City Council is holding a meeting to provide an update on the construction progress and funding for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The city has secured a $1 billion loan to fund the renovation and rebuild, with 71 bookings already confirmed for 2029, estimated to bring in $1.88 billion in economic impact. The convention center will also serve as the FIFA World Cup 2026 International Broadcast Center through August 2026.

Demolition of Halls D, E, and F at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas has commenced as part of a $1 billion redevelopment project. Halls A, B, and C will remain operational, with the convention center serving as the FIFA World Cup 2026 International Broadcast Center through August 2026. The project, slated for completion in 2029, will deliver approximately 750,000 square feet of exhibit space and aims to boost Dallas tourism and economic growth.