Ahead of the summer edition of Lightovation, Dallas Market Center welcomed designers, builders, architects, retailers and other industry professionals to Design + Build Day, a full lineup of educational programming and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across the residential design and construction industries.
Presented in partnership with Business of Home, the June 23 event featured a series of insightful conversations exploring the evolving relationship between design, construction and lighting. Following an introduction by Ileana Saldivia, director of interior design at Dallas Market Center, BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen moderated a panel with designers Corey Damen Jenkins, Alison Giese and Erin Sander, who shared their perspectives on collaboration, project execution, and the role lighting plays in creating exceptional residential spaces. Attendees also participated in curated tours of Lightovation exhibitors, who offered an inside look at new product introductions, emerging trends and innovations shaping the lighting industry.
“Business of Home’s panel provided practical strategies, career-building advice and candid lessons learned from some of the industry’s most successful design practices,” said Saldivia. “It was one of those rare discussions that felt both deeply personal and incredibly valuable—the kind of conversation you wished could have continued long after the panel ended.”
“The incredible turnout for Design + Build Day is a testament to designers’ interest in strengthening collaborations with professionals in the construction sector,” said Petersen. “It was a privilege to moderate such an in-depth talk with Corey, Alison and Erin, who shared brilliant, actionable insights that designers could apply to their businesses immediately.”
Throughout the day, guests connected with peers from multiple disciplines while discovering new resources and engaging directly with leading lighting manufacturers. By bringing together designers, builders, architects and retailers under one roof, Design + Build Day underscored the value of cross-industry collaboration and illuminated lighting’s integral role in creating thoughtful, high-performing spaces. The event served as an engaging kickoff to the June 24 to 27 Lightovation show, encouraging attendees to continue exploring North America’s largest residential lighting marketplace, and it set the stage for the next Design + Build Day, which will take place on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, prior to the winter edition of Lightovation on January 6 to 9.
