Stepping Into the Dallas Market Center for the First Time

Tait Loughridge
Sep 17, 2025
2 min read

This week marked a milestone for me: my very first visit to the Dallas Market Center. I’ve been curious about it for a long time but also anxious about walking into such a massive, industry-driven place. Design Week finally gave me the excuse I needed to get past that hesitation—and I’m glad I did.

The Scale of the Dallas Market Center

The Market Center is overwhelming in the best possible way. Even after a full day, I barely scratched the surface—probably only 10% of the campus—and most of that was just walking the halls between panels. It’s the kind of place that makes you realize how big the design world really is.

Interior view of the Dallas Market Center atrium during Design Week, with flags, natural light, and multiple floors of showrooms. — The Dallas Market Center atrium is breathtaking in scale—this was my first glimpse inside.

Rug Education

One unexpected highlight was how much I learned about rugs. Between guided showroom tours and a dedicated panel, I came away with a much deeper appreciation for them. It was far more engaging (and fun) than I expected.

Panel discussion on rug design at the Dallas Market Center during Design Week, with speakers seated in front of displayed rugs. — Rug panel discussion at Design Week.

Navigating the Day

Though I didn’t make it to every panel I’d hoped, the sessions I did attend were inspiring. By the end of the day I was definitely exhausted—Design Week is no small commitment—but every moment felt worthwhile.

Looking Ahead

I’ll be returning on Thursday for the final day, ready to explore more and continue soaking it all in. If day one was a mix of learning and wide-eyed discovery, I can only imagine what’s left to see.

Getting past my own hesitation to step into the Market Center felt like a win in itself. Now that I’ve been, I know I’ll be back—Design Week just happened to be the perfect excuse to take that first step.