World’s Largest Western & Equestrian Trade Shows Enjoy Summer Success at Dallas Market Center
– WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market celebrates its second Dallas edition; AETA show debuts in Dallas as more than 1000 brands showcase what’s new for the Western and Equestrian lifestyle –
DALLAS—September 9, 2021—Dallas Market Center, the wholesale trade center uniting buyers and sellers from around the world, recently hosted the world’s largest trade events for western and equestrian buyers and brands. The second edition of WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market took place along with the Dallas debut of the AETA International Trade Show presented by the American Equestrian Trade Association.
The shows were held at the same time as the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld Market. Taken together, the trade events welcomed thousands of buyers from 41 states. The number of first-time attendees set a new record and accounted for 16% of total attendance.
Throughout the Dallas marketplace, more than 1,000 brands for the western and equestrian lifestyle were presented in temporary exhibits and permanent showrooms including apparel and accessories, footwear, hats, equipment, and tack alongside complementary categories of gift and home décor.
President and CEO of Dallas Market Center, Cindy Morris, observed: “This was an energetic, busy market full of buyers seeking new products. Thank you to our partners at WESA and AETA and the top brands who made this show such a success. We look forward to carrying the momentum forward into the new year.”
The WESA International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market featured hundreds of brands including temporary exhibits on the 11th floor of the World Trade Center. Patrick Powers, WESA President, commented: “There was such a good energy at the show. Buyers were enthusiastic. The brands had great presentations of new products. Our industry has tremendous momentum heading into the new year as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of WESA.” Added Ali Dee, the founder of the Ali Dee western lifestyle brand: “It was the biggest show we have ever had; like [an] insane amount of order writing…thank y’all so much.”
The permanent marketplace of Western and English showrooms, located on the 14th floor of the World Trade Center building includes more than 70 branded showrooms including Ariat, Justin Brands, Dan Post, Hooey, Hatco/Resistol, Wrangler, Scully, Partrade, Equibrand, Rios of Mercedes, M&F, Lucchese, Milano Hat Company, Cripple Creek, and Roper/Stetson.
Said Jamison Hochster with Westmoor Manufacturing: “There is renewed excitement in the western industry. We now have a show that the customers, the manufacturers, and the sales reps all look forward to attending. This August market was by far the busiest and most successful August show we at Panhandle Western Wear and Rock and Roll Denim have ever participated in. We also opened more new accounts than at any market in recent memory. The move to Dallas has been a huge success and we can’t wait for what January and the coming year should bring.”
Lauren Austin, co-founder and CPO with HOOey Brands said: “We are very pleased with our bookings coming out of the August show, and optimistic about the buying power in the year ahead. Retailers were eager to see new products in person and place orders, further propelling the brand and the western lifestyle. We feel this has been a successful transition for WESA and Hooey at the DMC, as we continue to see increases in traffic and purchasing at each show.”
Added Rial Chew with Ariat: “We were excited to see many of our wholesale customers at the Dallas Market, and we had fantastic meetings with both large and independent accounts. Our new line is being well received, both in footwear and apparel. We continue to see strong optimism for this Fall and next Spring and look forward to a great Holiday.”
On the 13th floor, the AETA International Trade Show held its Dallas debut showcasing a wide array of brands for the equestrian community. Leading manufacturers presented new products for all aspects of the equestrian lifestyle and recognized the importance of a new venue for the show welcoming loyal AETA buyers and new buyers.
Said Carmen Bode with HKM: “Thanks to everyone for making the first AETA show in Dallas successful. We were pleased to exhibit with so many great companies, meet with loyal and new buyers, and share what’s new with HKM. We look forward to the next show. It was a good idea to exhibit with WESA.”
Adjacent showrooms of apparel and accessories, gifts, and home décor offered buyers a wide range of products from leading brands. One of the key benefits of shows held inside Dallas Market Center are the opportunities to buy across lifestyle categories.
Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continue measures that include recommended face coverings for every person entering the marketplace. Other efforts include low contact entry via online pre-registration as well as enhanced cleaning with hospital grade products, hundreds of hand sanitizing stations, and signage for social distancing. Along with these new steps, there are safety measures that are part of the natural design of the marketplace: open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators to every floor, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers.
The next WESA International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market takes place January 13-16, 2022, and the next AETA International Trade Show is January 11-14. For WESA, please visit https://wesatradeshow.com/ and for other events please visit http://dallasmarketcenter.com/.
About Dallas Market Center
Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in home décor, furniture, gifts, lighting and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus near downtown Dallas, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products via open-daily showrooms and from exhibitors participating in trade events held throughout the year. With thousands of free parking spaces, hotel shuttle buses, efficient dock services, well-maintained vertical transportation, boosted cell phone coverage, enhanced WiFi, and on-site restaurants and catering, DMC’s superior facilities make shopping these markets convenient, enjoyable, and lucrative. Throughout the last six decades, the company has remained committed to ensuring that customers receive the support services they need to make their business experience in Dallas successful. dallasmarketcenter.com
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