Call for Entries Now Open for 2026 Showroom of the Year Awards at Lightovation
Call for Entries Now Open for 2026 Showroom of the Year Awards at Lightovation
Monday, December 8, 2025
Dallas Market Center is excited to announce the call for entries for the 17th Annual Showroom of the Year Awards, set to take place during the June 24-27, 2026, Lightovation show. This event, held in partnership with Linda Longo, Editor-in-Chief of Lighting News Now, honors exceptional independent lighting retailers across North America.
“As retailing continues to face new and different challenges, I am always impressed by the way lighting showrooms have risen to the occasion with innovative marketing and business strategies,” said Linda Longo, Editor-in-Chief of Lighting News Now. “The Showroom of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the most exceptional showrooms in North America while providing inspiration to their peers. I can’t wait to see the creative and smart ideas that participants in the Showroom of the Year Awards share with us this year.”
The Showroom of the Year Awards are judged on several criteria, including merchandising display, marketing and advertising, customer service and engagement, employee education and motivation, and community involvement. Finalists will be named in categories based on dollar volume, with a winning Showroom of the Year in each category. All finalists are also eligible for three specialty awards: Outstanding Merchandising Display, Exceptional Community Involvement, and Showroom of the Future.
Any independent lighting retailer in North America is eligible for these awards, and anyone in the industry may nominate a store. Retailers are also encouraged to enter their own business. All nominations and entries must be submitted by March 2, 2026, and both forms are available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/soty. Winners will be announced during the summer edition of Lightovation show at a special Showroom of the Year Awards ceremony open to all Lightovation attendees. Follow the hashtag #SOTYAwards on social media for the latest updates.
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