Trade Show News

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its 'A' long-term rating on Dallas Convention Center Hotel Development Corp.'s series 2009A and 2009B hotel revenue bonds, issued for the city, with a stable outlook. These bonds are part of the financing for the city's convention center infrastructure.

S&P Global Ratings noted that the ongoing construction of the new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas is expected to support a continued trend of sales and hotel tax revenue growth, contributing to positive economic trends. The city's economic development is anticipated to spur future revenue growth.

Downtown Dallas hotels are navigating convention-center disruption, corporate relocations, and sports venue shifts, with FIFA boosting 2026 rates. While occupancy may remain soft until the revamped convention center reopens in 2030, factors such as Uptown development, elevated hotel/residence projects, airport investments, and major projects support a strong longer-term outlook.

The outlook for Downtown Dallas hotels is being shaped by the ongoing Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment and the impact of FIFA 2026. Developers are exploring new convention hotel projects, including a potential 30-story hotel, to add thousands of rooms near the expanded convention center. This comes as the city aims to boost international tourism and address shifts in the hospitality market.

Downtown Dallas hotels are experiencing soft occupancy through 2030 due to the phased $3.8-billion redevelopment of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. However, factors like FIFA 2026, Uptown development, and new luxury hotel projects, including a proposed 1,000-room convention hotel, point to a strong long-term recovery.

Dallas-headquartered The Freeman Company (TFC) released new research, conducted with The Harris Poll, indicating that consumers who attend a brand event trust that brand five times more than those who haven't. The 'Belief Gap™ Report' highlights that 77% of attendees reported a positive shift in their belief in a brand after an event, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of live experiences in an AI-driven world.

A Hire Power, a woman-owned business, provides event and convention staffing expertise in Dallas, supporting over 200 events annually with career convention and event specialists and highly skilled administrative professionals. They focus on delivering consistent and reliable staffing solutions for various events.

First Choice Staffing offers comprehensive staffing solutions for hotels, convention centers, and stadiums in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, addressing urgent and last-minute needs for major conventions, sports, and concerts. Their local team provides 24/7 support for various operational needs.

First Choice Staffing provides event and convention labor staffing solutions in Dallas, covering high-volume, tight timelines for convention centers, trade shows, and expo halls, offering services from event setup to guest assistance. They work with employers across Texas to provide experienced professionals.

Derse Inc., a face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder, is hiring an Operations Director for its Dallas office. This role involves overseeing all post-sale activities to ensure client work is planned, produced, and completed to specifications.

The WESA Trade Show is scheduled for January 19-22, 2027, at the Dallas Market Center, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of retail buyers. This event is a key gathering for the Western/English apparel, accessories, tack, and leather goods industry, offering one-stop shopping and networking opportunities.

Expo! Expo!, the annual event of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), is scheduled to take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas from December 5-7, 2026. The Omni Dallas Hotel will serve as the headquarters hotel for the event. IAEE anticipates attracting approximately 700 show organizers and over 200 exhibitors, with a total attendance of about 2,000.

Expo! Expo!, the annual event of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), is scheduled to take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas from December 5-7, 2026. The Omni Dallas Hotel will serve as the headquarters, with approximately 2,000 attendees expected.

"March of the Triceratops" will make its first North America stop at the Perot Museum in Dallas during July 2027, featuring five complete Triceratops skeletons. This rare exhibit includes 1,200 fossil and bone fragments from the only known herd of fossil remains ever found. The interactive exhibit will also feature a true-to-size model of a female Triceratops and her animatronic calf.

The 2026 AURORA Biennial, titled "States of Becoming," will expand into an almost three-week event from November 4 through 21, featuring performances, conversations, lectures, and artist-led experiences across Dallas-Fort Worth. The outdoor exhibition on the final day will be displayed in Downtown Dallas across the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, the AT&T Discovery District, and Dallas City Hall.

Staff are preparing a more detailed presentation on the next allocation of Brimer Bill funding, which supports improvements at Fair Park and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Dallas City Council has approved a $1 billion 'bridge loan' to support the ongoing expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. This financial move is part of the larger redevelopment efforts for the convention center.

The Dallas Convention Center Hotel (in association with 5G Studio Collaborative) was named a semi-finalist for The Dallas Architecture Forum's 25th Anniversary Design Recognition – Looking Back – Looking Forward, celebrating influential design projects in Dallas.

The Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center, located 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, offers 79,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space. This includes an exhibit hall and various intimate venues. The hotel provides seamless access to the attached Watters Creek Convention Center, making it an ideal setting for business conferences and large-scale events.

The multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Downtown Dallas is in progress, with some events reportedly looking to move to other cities due to project delays. The master plan aims to reshape the city's future with improved transportation and a modernized facility.