Dallas Market Center adds exec for new business

Industry veteran Nancy Barlar has joined Dallas Market Center as senior executive director of new business. Barlar will be responsible for identifying and welcoming new gift and home décor brands to The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market. She brings more than two decades of experience to Dallas Market Center (DMC), most recently as executive director with AmericasMart Atlanta, responsible for new business development and sales for gift and home trade shows. Barlar will report to DMC senior vice president of leasing, Jo Ann Miller Marshall. “Nancy has a merchant’s eye for great brands, a keen understanding of what will help retailers thrive, and a passion for our business that’s unmatched,” said Jo Ann Miller Marshall. “As a native Texan, Nancy has enthusiastically followed DMC’s remarkable momentum over the past several years. She has seen first-hand, the strong business being conducted in Dallas. Nancy’s dynamic energy combined with her industry relationships and expertise will be a great addition to our already amazing team. We are delighted to welcome her!”

Joining DMC

Barlar joins Dallas Market Center during growth in new buyers visiting the marketplace and new brands taking space in permanent showrooms and in temporary booths during trade events. The June 2023 Temps at Total Home & Gift Market was the largest summer exhibition in more than a decade and included hundreds of new exhibitors across five distinct neighborhoods, according to DMC. “The last three years have seen a clear shift in where better business is being created. Dallas is the marketplace people are talking about, especially its continuing growth and bedrock commitment to the customer,” said Barlar. “I’m excited to join a team that has a long-range strategy, understands how to support both buyers and sellers, and remains true to its family-owned company values.” Barlar joins a team of leadership in gift and home that includes Jo Ann Miller Marshall, SVP leasing; Joan Ulrich, EVP leasing; Dave Savula, business development strategist; Karol Sullins, executive director; Nancy Wolkow, Nancy Axtman, Marie Quinn and Ashley Chaney, leasing directors.