Trade Show News

The City of Dallas's Budget Accountability Report for March 2026, published May 23, 2026, details Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenue allocations. Two percent of the nine percent HOT is dedicated to the Convention Center Expansion and Fair Park Facilities Venue Projects, while seven percent supports Visit Dallas, the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. HOT is identified as the largest single revenue source for the KBHCCD.

Dallas is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with new hotel inventory, including the reopened Hotel Mockingbird and renovations at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, expanding group-friendly options across the metro area. The Arlington Entertainment District is also adding new dining and entertainment, contributing to the region's ability to host massive crowds and support nonstop fan activity, which impacts the broader hospitality sector.

The $3.7 billion expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is expected to be completed by April 2029 and will serve as the World Cup's International Broadcast Center. Dallas also leads all U.S. markets in hotel construction, with 184 projects and 22,861 rooms in its pipeline at the end of March.

Dallas-based Freeman released its "Freeman Trends Report: What's Keeping People Away," offering new research on why potential attendees do not participate in professional conferences and trade shows. The report provides data-driven insights for event marketers and organizers on converting non-attendees by understanding their value decisions.

Submissions for the future of Dallas City Hall include proposals to demolish it and transform the land into a larger sports and entertainment district, potentially linked to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center overhaul and a new Mavericks arena, hotels, and other commercial projects.

Following Destinations International's Convention Sales and Services Summit held in Dallas in late April, convention-services directors from Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) nationwide convened to discuss strategies for improving partnerships with planners for both citywide and single-hotel meetings. The discussions emphasized evolving from basic logistical support to becoming strategic community connectors who leverage local resources to help groups achieve their event goals and leave a lasting impact.

Destination International's Convention Sales and Services Summit was held in Dallas in late April, bringing together senior convention-services directors from DMOs nationwide. Discussions focused on how DMOs can better partner with planners of citywide conventions and single-hotel meetings.

Fierce Staffing Services LLC is hiring event professionals in Dallas to support a National Fraternity Conference from July 14-21, 2026. The roles include Brand Ambassadors for guest-facing operations and Production Assistants for behind-the-scenes logistics, emphasizing professionalism and adaptability for a high-visibility event.

Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM, was honored with the IAEE Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), which is based in Dallas, and the exhibitions industry. Her leadership and thought leadership have significantly shaped industry conversations and educational excellence.

DFW Press & Media is hosting 'The New Power Players: AI, Media, and Market Forces in Hospitality' on May 26, 2026, in Addison, TX. This panel discussion will feature key leaders from the region's dining, travel, and media scenes, sharing firsthand insights on how AI tools are influencing consumer behavior and how market forces are reshaping the hospitality industry. The event aims to provide valuable perspectives for owners, operators, and industry professionals.

The NADONA National Conference 2026 will be held from June 8-9, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. It is listed among the upcoming events at this Dallas venue.

The International Co-Responder Alliance CoRCon is scheduled for June 8-10, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This event is featured in the list of upcoming conferences at the venue.

Another session of the US Housing & Community Development Conference will take place from June 3-4, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This is also listed among the venue's upcoming events.

The US Housing & Community Development Conference is scheduled for June 1-2, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This event is part of the upcoming conferences hosted at the venue.

The 2026 National WIC Association Annual Education & Training Conference & Exhibits will be held from May 27-29, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. This event is listed as an upcoming conference at the venue.

Demolition has commenced on Dallas's old Convention Center as part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment project, with the new facility slated to open in 2029. Wildcat Management announced a fully-entitled development site at 1823 Cadiz Street, strategically located within the transforming Convention Center District.

Demolition is underway on Dallas's old Convention Center as part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment project, scheduled to open in 2029. This transformation is changing the city's southern core and is considered the largest public investment in Dallas's history.

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment is going back to Dallas City Council after the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recommended reverting to an earlier design. This reconsideration is due to public outcry in North Oak Cliff regarding the plan's potential to inhibit the southern sector's access to downtown. The committee's vote followed weeks of resident and business owner concerns about existing viaduct traffic flows.

A Dallas City Council meeting on May 20, 2026, addressed the planned Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion, estimated to cost at least $3.2 billion. Discussions included concerns about the budget and the impact of construction on commutes, with the project expected to finish in 2029. The council also considered proposals for improving connections between Oak Cliff and downtown.

Project planners anticipate beginning construction on the new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center next year, with an estimated cost of at least $3.2 billion. Dallas City Council members have raised concerns regarding the convention center's footprint and its potential impact on Oak Cliff-downtown connections.