Dallas has emerged as one of the major centers for trade shows in the United States due to its rapidly growing economy and favorable business environment. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is one such center with a million square feet of capacity in downtown Dallas, which hosts trade shows on a wide range of topics from construction to franchises, consumer shows, and specialized fields.
Trade shows in Dallas run through two distinct major venues: the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD), a 2-million-square-foot facility hosting national trade shows and conventions, and Dallas Market Center, which runs more than 200 wholesale trade shows annually focused on apparel, gift, home, and lighting. Among the biggest Dallas expos in 2026: the NAHB International Builders’ Show and Mary Kay’s Annual Seminar at KBHCCD, and Lightovation, North America’s largest residential lighting show, at Dallas Market Center.
This guide covers the top Dallas trade shows 2026, with dates, venues, and the industries each one serves. Dallas is undergoing a major convention-center expansion, so always confirm exact dates and halls on each show’s official site before booking.
Planning a booth in Texas? Our Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas exhibitor covers exhibitor logistics and design for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in detail.
2026 Dallas Trade Show Calendar at a Glance
This is one of the densest wholesale trade show calendars in the country. Dallas Market Center alone accounts for a meaningful share of the total volume behind Dallas Convention Calendar searches, even though it’s a completely separate venue from KBHCCD.
| Trade Show | 2026 Dates | Venue / City | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Safari Club Convention & Expo | January 2026 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas | Outdoor / hunting |
| The Franchise Show – Dallas | 2026 (Dallas) | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas | Franchising |
| Dallas Build Expo | April 21–22, 2026 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas | Construction |
| Fan Expo Dallas | September 11–13, 2026 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas | Pop culture |
| Oddities & Curiosities Expo – Dallas | September 26–27, 2026 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas | Consumer/art |
| Kitchen & Bath / Home Design Markets (Dallas Market Center) | 2026 (multiple dates) | Dallas Market Center, Dallas | Home/design |
| Dallas Total Home & Gift Market | 2026 (January & June) | Dallas Market Center, Dallas | Gift/home |
| Metrocon | Summer 2026 | Dallas area | Anime/consumer |
Dallas is a value-driven market where a professional booth still needs to compete for attention. Our trade show booth rentals Dallas give Texas exhibitors a turnkey rental with graphics, furniture, and installation handled end-to-end.
Exhibiting in Dallas in 2026? Get a Custom Booth Rental Quote at purexhibits.com
Dallas’s Two Major Exhibition Hubs
Anyone researching upcoming Dallas trade shows should understand upfront that the city runs on two separate exhibition ecosystems:
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Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD): A 2-million-square-foot downtown facility (1 million square feet of exhibit space) welcoming more than a million visitors annually for major national conventions, trade shows, and events.
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Dallas Market Center: A permanent wholesale marketplace running more than 200 trade shows a year, contributing nearly $800 million to the local economy, focused specifically on apparel, gift, home décor, and lighting.
Confusing the two, or assuming one calendar covers all of Dallas’s trade show activity, is the single most common mistake in researching this market.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Expo Events: KBHCCD’s 2026 Calendar
KBHCCD is genuinely massive, big enough to host MegaFest, PCMA, Mecum Auto Auction, and The Great American Trucking Show in a single facility with room to spare. Key 2026 Kay Bailey Hutchison expo events include:
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Fan Expo Dallas: September 11–13, 2026. A major pop culture and comics/sci-fi/gaming convention.
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IntraLogisteX Dallas: September 16–17, 2026. A professional exhibition for logistics, warehousing, and fulfillment.
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Oddities & Curiosities Expo – Dallas: September 26–27, 2026. A traveling event for collectors of the unusual and macabre.
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Small Business Expo – Dallas: November 4, 2026. One of the largest B2B networking and education events for entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
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The Franchise Show – Dallas: January 30–31, 2027. The largest franchise expo, with 1,500+ exhibitors connecting franchise buyers and sellers.
Recurring flagship conventions historically associated with KBHCCD also include the NAHB International Builders’ Show, Mary Kay’s Annual Seminar, the AHR Expo (International Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration), and Solar Power International, among the largest national conventions to regularly fill the venue’s 1 million square feet of exhibit space.
The Top Trade Shows in Dallas in 2026
With this many Dallas trade shows 2026 spanning two venues and wildly different audiences, matching your business to the right event and venue matters most:
Dallas Safari Club Convention & Expo
One of the largest outdoor and conservation expos in the country, drawing hunters, outfitters, and gear brands to Dallas for a major early-year gathering.
• Dates: January 2026
• Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
• Industry: Hunting, Conservation, Outdoor Gear, Travel
• Notable exhibitors: Sako, Leupold, outfitters and lodges
The Franchise Show – Dallas
A regional franchise-development event connecting franchisors with prospective owners and investors across the fast-growing Texas market.
• Dates: 2026 (Dallas)
• Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
• Industry: Franchising, Small Business, Investment
• Notable exhibitors: Franchisors, business services, lenders
Looking for custom exhibit rentals in Dallas? Our Dallas team has got you covered. Connect with us to learn more.
Dallas Build Expo
A B2B event for construction, architecture, and building professionals, bringing contractors, developers, and suppliers together in the booming Texas building market.
• Dates: April 21–22, 2026
• Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
• Industry: Construction, Building Materials, Contractors
• Notable exhibitors: Hilti, Simpson Strong-Tie, Bosch Tools
Fan Expo Dallas
One of the largest pop-culture and comic conventions in the Southwest, drawing tens of thousands of fans and consumer brands to downtown Dallas.
• Dates: September 11–13, 2026
• Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
• Industry: Entertainment, Comics, Gaming, Collectibles
• Notable exhibitors: Marvel, Funko, gaming and collectible brands
Oddities & Curiosities Expo – Dallas
A fast-growing consumer expo celebrating the strange and unusual, featuring independent artists, oddity vendors, and alternative consumer brands.
• Dates: September 26–27, 2026
• Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
• Industry: Art, Collectibles, Alternative Consumer
• Notable exhibitors: Independent artists and vendors
Kitchen & Bath / Home Design Markets (Dallas Market Center)
The Dallas Market Center hosts year-round wholesale markets across home furnishings, gift, and design, drawing retail buyers from across the country.
• Dates: 2026 (multiple dates)
• Venue: Dallas Market Center, Dallas
• Industry: Home Furnishings, Kitchen & Bath, Gift
• Notable exhibitors: Home, gift, and design manufacturers
Dallas Total Home & Gift Market
One of the nation’s largest wholesale gift and home markets, connecting thousands of manufacturers with independent and chain retail buyers.
• Dates: 2026 (January & June)
• Venue: Dallas Market Center, Dallas
• Industry: Gift, Home Décor, Retail
• Notable exhibitors: Gift and home-décor wholesalers
Metrocon
A large regional anime and gaming convention drawing a young, engaged consumer audience, a strong fit for lifestyle and entertainment brands.
• Dates: Summer 2026
• Venue: Dallas area
• Industry: Anime, Gaming, Consumer
• Notable exhibitors: Anime, gaming, and cosplay brands
Why Exhibit in Dallas
Dallas offers access to one of the fastest-growing regional economies in the country, with strong buyer turnout and lower costs than coastal markets. Central US logistics make it easy and affordable to ship in. A professional, well-built exhibit, like our Custom Trade Show Booth Rentals, helps you capitalize on strong Texas foot traffic.
Related: Moscone Center San Francisco: Exhibitor Booth Rental & Setup Guide
Booth Strategy for Trade Shows in Dallas
Dallas shows range from B2B trade events to large consumer expos, so match your build to the audience. Review comparable projects in our trade show booth case studies to see how design adapts across show types.
For an aisle-commanding presence with room for demos and meetings, our 20×20 trade show booth rentals provide island layouts well-suited to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center’s large halls.
Request a Free Dallas Trade Show Booth Consultation at purexhibits.com
Booth Size Guidance for Dallas Trade Shows
| Booth Size | Best For | Typical Use at Dallas Shows |
|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | First-time & focused programs | Lead capture, single-product demos, tighter budgets |
| 10×20 | Growing exhibitors | Two zones, demo area plus a meeting or storage space |
| 20×20 island | Established brands | Open island with demos, seating, and an overhead sign |
| 30×30+ island | Flagship presence | Multi-zone builds with theaters, meetings, and storage |
Planning Your 2026 Dallas Exhibit
With its combination of high attendee activity and low prices, Dallas provides a great environment for building a market-based event program. Adjust your build based on your audience: business-to-business events, such as Build Expo and Safari Club, compared to huge consumer shows, such as Fan Expo, and possibly add a convention center show with a Dallas Market Center market if you are working with wholesale.
Due to its Central-US location and right-to-work laws in Texas, Dallas is a cheap city to ship into and have labor. Given the major expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, book your hall and dates soon and put the money saved on lower freight and labor into your booth build.
How to Stand Out on the Dallas Show Floor
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Use one clear headline on what you do; people will know within a few seconds if they want to stop.
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Have good backlit graphics and good architectural design; lighting is what distinguishes a professional booth from an amateur one.
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Have a demonstration or something that will allow staff to have something to talk about.
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Have an enclosed area where you can have serious conversations with buyers, particularly during crowded Dallas shows.
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Train your staff ahead of time and before the show; well-trained staff always beats a bigger booth size.
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Make sure to have your lead-capturing and follow-up strategies planned ahead of time and not post-show.
Conclusion
Trade shows in Dallas run through two genuinely distinct ecosystems: the massive, convention-scale Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the dense, wholesale-focused Dallas Market Center, and knowing which one hosts your target show changes everything from booth planning to logistics. Whichever venue fits your industry, Dallas rewards exhibitors who confirm their exact venue early, book around the market’s busiest seasons, and scale their booth appropriately to the scope of the specific show.
Pure Exhibits designs and builds booths for exhibitors across both of Dallas’s major venues, with logistics planned around each one’s specific rules and calendar. Talk to our team about your next Dallas trade show booth.
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Trade Shows in Dallas: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest trade shows in Dallas in 2026?
Major Dallas trade shows in 2026 include the Dallas Safari Club Convention, Dallas Build Expo, Fan Expo Dallas, and the large wholesale markets at the Dallas Market Center.
Where are most Dallas trade shows held?
The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD) in downtown Dallas hosts most major conventions, while the Dallas Market Center runs year-round wholesale markets.
Is the Dallas convention center being expanded?
Yes. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is undergoing a major multi-year expansion and redevelopment, so confirm halls and dates on each show’s official site.
How much does it cost to exhibit at a Dallas trade show?
Dallas is cost-efficient versus coastal markets. A 10×10 presence often runs $10,000–$20,000 all-in, including space, booth, drayage, and travel. Larger islands cost more.
What booth sizes work best in Dallas?
Match size to the show and goals. Inline 10×10 and 10×20 spaces suit focused programs, while 20×20 and larger islands stand out at big consumer and B2B events.
Is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center a union venue?
Texas is a right-to-work state, and Dallas labor rules are generally more flexible than coastal union markets. Always confirm specifics in the exhibitor services manual. 10×20 booth rentals cover every footprint from inline to large island.
How far in advance should I book a Dallas trade show booth?
Book 8–12 weeks ahead for standard shows; for the largest events, 3–4 months is safer for prime floor space and hotels.
Which Dallas show is best for construction?
Dallas Build Expo is the leading B2B construction and building-industry event in the Dallas market.
Which Dallas venue hosts wholesale markets?
The Dallas Market Center hosts year-round wholesale markets in home furnishings, gift, and design, drawing retail buyers nationwide.
How do I get my exhibit to the Dallas convention center?
Most exhibits ship to an advance warehouse or the venue, then move to your booth via the official contractor’s drayage service. A booth partner coordinates this.
Is Dallas good for first-time exhibitors?
Yes. Dallas’s central location, strong economy, and lower costs make it a practical, high-value market for companies growing their trade show program.
Which Dallas shows are consumer-facing?
Fan Expo Dallas, Oddities & Curiosities, and Metrocon are large consumer events, while the Dallas Safari Club and Build Expo lean B2B/enthusiast.
Can one rental booth work across multiple Dallas shows?
Yes. A modular rental exhibit can be reconfigured across Dallas shows and rotated with other cities, saving on build and storage costs.
How big is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center?
The KBHCCD is a roughly one-million-square-foot venue in downtown Dallas, hosting over a million visitors a year across its exhibit halls.
Who can help me rent a booth for a Dallas trade show?
Pure Exhibits designs and delivers exhibit rentals for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and other Dallas venues with full logistics and installation. Our last-minute trade show booth rentals handle rush timelines and last-minute space changes.
