– includes the debut of the Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series
DALLAS – March 9, 2026 – Dallas Design Days returns April 14–15 with two days of design-focused programming dedicated to business growth and industry insight. Headlining the event is the debut of the Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series, a new initiative supporting designers as entrepreneurs. Additional programming will take place in showrooms including Coco & Dash, Currey & Company, Market Hill on 6 by Paul Michael, Palecek, and Visual Comfort & Co., culminating in a closing reception celebrating the D Home Best Designers Issue.
First-of-Its-Kind Design Programming
On April 14, attendees will experience the debut of the Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series, a new designer-focused half-day program centered on building stronger, more intentional businesses. The first installment, Landing the Right Work, will focus on the most critical stage of a successful project: winning the right clients. Through expert-led panels and workshops moderated by Kaitlin Petersen, Editor-in-Chief of Business of Home, the program explores how designers can refine their positioning, clearly communicate their value, and attract clients aligned with their process.
The Business Accelerator programming is ticketed, with general admission priced at $60 for non-reserved high-top table seating and VIP tickets at $120, which include reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased at dallasmarketcenter.com/business-of-home.
“Dallas Design Days continues to evolve as a platform not only for discovery, but for business growth,” said Cindy Morris, President & CEO, Dallas Market Center. “Our two-year partnership with Business of Home and the launch of the Business Accelerator Series reflects our commitment to helping designers strengthen their positioning, build more intentional firms, and create long-term success.”
Tuesday, April 14 – Business of Home x DMC Business Accelerator Series
- 8 a.m. – Business of Home Breakfast | IHDC 1D112 – Unique Loom
Sponsored by Unique Loom
Arrive early for a light breakfast and the opportunity to meet Kaitlin Petersen, Editor-in-Chief of Business of Home and program speakers.
- 9 a.m. – The First Impression | IHDC 1D202 – The Gallery
Long before a client reaches out, they’re forming opinions about your business. This session clarifies how to create content that connects with your target audience, builds loyalty, and boosts leads.- Speaker: Renee Bush, Founder & Principal Strategist, Tandem
- Speaker: Renee Bush, Founder & Principal Strategist, Tandem
- 9:45 a.m. – Positioning with Purpose | IHDC 1D202 – The Gallery
What sets your firm apart? This panel identifies the foundational work necessary to establish a strong, differentiated design business, and demonstrates how a clear vision statement guides decision-making, shapes positioning, and creates consistency across every client touch point.
Speakers:
- Bryan Yates, Principal Designer, Yates Desyn
- Mike Yates, Managing Director, Yates Desyn
- Javier Burkle, Principal Interior Designer, Burkle Creative
- 11 a.m. – From First Contact to Signed Contract | IHDC 1D202 – The GalleryYour earliest interactions with a prospective client set the tone for everything that follows. In this panel, designers share how they structure intake and initial conversations to gather better information, determine value, manage expectations, and confidently decide whether a project is the right fit. Speaker:
- Speaker: Arianne Bellizaire, CEO, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors
- Speaker: Arianne Bellizaire, CEO, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors
- 11:45 a.m. – The Power of Alignment | IHDC 1D202 – The Gallery
Not every inquiry deserves a yes. This session breaks down what “the right client” means for your business—and how to attract them with intention.- Speakers: Christine Woodward, Founder, CEO & Principal Consultant, 19th & Co.
- 12:30 p.m. – Business of Home Lunch | IHDC 1D201 – Palecek
Sponsored by Palecek
Guests are invited to a come-and-go lunch following the program to meet Business of Home Editor-in-Chief Kaitlin Petersen and program speakers. - 1:30 p.m. – Business of Home Tour | Meet Outside IHDC 1D201 – Palecek
Discover Business of Home’s favorite resources and go-to spots at Dallas Market Center on this guided tour.- Led by: Kaitlin Petersen, Editor-in-Chief, Business of Home
Additional Events & Education
Beyond the Business Accelerator Series, designers can attend additional events, hospitality experiences, and education throughout campus.
Tuesday, April 14
- 2:30 p.m. – Fearless by Nature: A Design Point of View Shaped by Instinct | IHDC 1D106 – Coco & Dash
Presented by Coco & Dash
A relaxed conversation with Dallas designers reflecting on evolving taste, trusting themselves, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing things their own way. Following the conversation, attendees are invited to meet the panelists and enjoy light refreshments.
Guests:
o Javier Burkle, Principal Interior Designer, Burkle Creative
o Carolina Gentry, Principal Interior Designer, Pulp Design Studios
Hosts:
o Teddie Garrigan, Founder, Coco & Dash Interiors
o Courtney Garrigan, Founder, Coco & Dash Interiors
o 3:30 p.m. – AI for Interior Designers: Inspiration to Implementation | IHDC 1D228 – Currey & Company
Presented by Home Design Guild, Sponsored by ASID & Hosted by Currey & Company
Join Jenna Gaidusek, Interior Designer and Founder of AI for Interior Designers and Jackie Paulsen, Founder, Home Design Guild for a beginner-friendly panel exploring how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical, accessible tool for interior designers and small business owners.
- Speaker: Jenna Gaidusek, Interior Designer and Founder of AI for Interior Designers
- Moderator: Jackie Paulsen, Founder, Home Design Guild
Wednesday, April 15
- 10 a.m. – The Great Market Experience | Participating Showrooms
Presented by Interior Design Society
The Great Market Experience is an interactive challenge designed for interior design professionals to explore the Dallas Market Center in a strategic and engaging way. Teams will visit showrooms, complete challenges, and earn points for creativity, knowledge, and engagement. - 11 a.m. – Refined by Design: Crafting Beauty That Endures | IHDC 1D111 – Visual Comfort & Co.
Presented by Visual Comfort & Co. and Sponsored by ASID
Acclaimed designer Benjamin Johnston shares a behind-the-scenes look at his debut monograph, Refined Interiors: Timeless Homes for Modern Living (Rizzoli, February 2026), highlighting eight recently completed residences and his distinctive approach to timeless design.- Speaker: Benjamin Johnston, Partner and Creative Director, Benjamin Johnston Design
- 1 p.m. – Lighting the Modern Home: Architectural Styles, Floor Plans & Decorative Lighting Solutions | IHDC 1D201 – Palecek
Presented by Palecek
This seminar explores how architectural style, layout, and lighting shape impactful spaces. Learn to choose lighting that enhances form and function, take a creative approach, and balance trends with timeless design for spaces that feel fresh yet lasting.- Speaker: Matthew Wilson, Showroom Manager, Palecek
- 2 p.m. – Designing for the Story with Karen Higgins | WTC 615 – Market Hill on 6
Presented by Market Hill on 6 by Paul Michael
Go behind the scenes with Dallas-based set decorator Karen Higgins, whose work on Yellowstone, 1883, Landman, and others has shaped some of TV’s most compelling worlds. Known for creating authentic, story-driven environments, Karen shares her “character first” approach.- Speaker: Karen Higgins, Set Decorator, TV and Commercial Productions
- 4 p.m. – D Home Best Designers Issue Launch Party | WTC 1 – Atrium
Presented by D Home and Dallas Market Center
Join D Home and Dallas Market Center for an unforgettable celebration of the Dallas design community! Mingle, toast, and celebrate the exceptional talents featured in the spring edition of D Home magazine at this highly anticipated reception.
A full list of events, including ones hosted in showrooms, can be found on DallasMarketCenter.com
Showroom News & Moves
The Interior Home + Design Center is undergoing a major expansion, highlighted by the debut of C. Maddox & Co.’s (IHDC 2F310) custom 40,000-square-foot flagship showroom on the second floor. The showroom represents more than 30 leading home furnishings brands—including Caracole, CR Laine, Hancock & Moore, John-Richard, Made Goods, Modern History, Taracea, Vanguard Furniture, and Wesley Hall Upholstery.
The Gallery (IHDC 1D202) welcomes new exhibitors Scandia Home (GL28) and Lighthouse Design Studio (GL84).
Industry Sponsors and Partners
Business of Home serves as both a media sponsor and program partner of Dallas Design Days, bringing its industry-leading perspective and audience to the event. D Home joins Dallas Design Days as a program partner, collaborating on featured event programming including the D Home Best Designers Issue Launch Party.
See design vignettes in the atrium from our Diamond sponsors : Ashore, Dallas Rugs, Danny’s Fine Porcelain, Decorative Crafts, Designer’s Patio, Game Rooms by Design, Kalalou, MC Studio, Rose Casual, Shadow Catchers, The Billiard Factory, Unique Loom, Uttermost, and Visual Comfort.
For upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center mobile app. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose.
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 gifts, home d?cor, gourmet and housewares, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting, and apparel and accessories. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home d?cor, holiday and floral;; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.
