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Dallas, Texas Ranked No. 1 Primary Data Market in the World

Driven by accelerating AI adoption, cloud computing demand and digital infrastructure investment, global capacity under construction approached 31.7 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, more than doubling from 12.5GW reported in the prior edition of the report. At the same time, developers, occupiers and investors are facing intensifying constraints tied to power availability, land use, permitting timelines and growing regulatory scrutiny. The report analyzes 107 global markets across 24 variables tied to commercial real estate fundamentals, power infrastructure, development activity, regulation and operational risk and provides a more forward looking approach to evaluate market dynamics than previous editions. Cushman & Wakefield – Dallas, Texas Ranked No. 1 Primary Data Market in the World as AI Demand, Power Constraints and Regulation Reshape CRE Strategy

AI Is Enabling the Next Generation of Distributor Workflows by Michael Delgado

Workflows at distributors have been more or less the same for decades. Quoting, order entry, PO tracking and invoicing still rely on emails, spreadsheets and ERPs with manual effort expected to close the gap. That model worked when volumes were lower and expectations were more forgiving, but the world is changing.AI does not just speed up existing processes, it changes where the work starts. Instead of manually decoding customer requests from zero, teams can rely on AI to interpret imprecise inputs and return accurate product matches. Translating requests into usable data becomes a background process that happens before a request ever reaches a sales rep. AI also has a level of adaptability that traditional software lacks. It learns over time, picking up on customer preferences and surfacing relevant SKUs and frequently ordered items preemptively. The result is a faster, more accurate quoting process, and reps who are free to spend time with customers instead of spreadsheets. AI has moved from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement to keep pace. AI Is Enabling the Next Generation of Distributor Workflows | Electrical Wholesaling

NEMRA Lighting Summit 26 – October 15th – October 17th – Hilton Anatole | Dallas, TX

The NEMRA Lighting Summit is designed specifically for Lighting Agencies and Representatives and Lighting & Controls Manufacturers. The summit provides an exclusive setting for structured business planning and strategy, with an emphasis on strengthening Manufacturer–Agent partnerships. Designed for high-value business planning, the Summit brings Manufacturer–Agent partners together to align strategy, strengthen relationships, and plan for 2027, all in one location. The cornerstone of the Summit is the One-on-One strategic planning sessions between Agencies and Manufacturers. These meetings are designed to review performance, set goals, and align on strategies for the coming business year. Home – NEMRA Lighting Summit 26

DALI Alliance to Host Third Annual DALI North America Summit in Dallas

The DALI Alliance announces that its 3rd Annual DALI North America Summit will take place September 16 and 17 in Dallas, Texas, alongside ArchLIGHT Summit, the commercial and architectural lighting event held September 15 and 16 at Dallas Market Center. The DALI Summit brings together lighting designers, manufacturers, integrators, and technology providers to explore the latest developments in standardized lighting control and smart building integration. The event continues to grow as a key forum for advancing interoperability, data-driven lighting, and the role of lighting within connected building systems.  DALI Alliance to Host 3rd Annual DALI North America Summit in Dallas | EC&M

Dallas Fed Survey: War Uncertainty Capping Firms’ Ambitions by Geert De Lombaerde

Seven out of 10 oil-and-gas executives surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas think the price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which flirted with $100 in the last 2 weeks, will finish 2026 below $80. But with the war with Iran “wreaking havoc” in commodity markets, most firms aren’t rushing to overhaul their 2026 production plans.Fed researchers’ quarterly survey of industry players from about 130 companies in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico showed that the average WTI price forecast for year-end is around $74. That’s up significantly from the $62 outlook from 3 months ago and well below the roughly $94/bbl at which WTI was being priced during the Fed’s survey period earlier this month. At $74, WTI would also be at a price high enough for most production to be profitable. Executives are more positive about the mid- and longer-term price outlook for natural gas than they are for oil. Dallas Fed survey: War uncertainty capping firms’ ambitions | Oil & Gas Journal

For more details from the survey, click here.

Remembering the Solemn Purpose of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday in May to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. The holiday traces its roots to the years immediately following the American Civil War (1861–1865), which caused massive casualties—roughly 620,000 soldiers dead, about 2% of the U.S. population at the time. Communities across the North and South began spontaneously decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags, a practice that gave rise to the original name: Decoration Day. On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—a powerful Union veterans’ organization—issued General Order No. 11. This proclaimed May 30, 1868, as a nationwide “Decoration Day” to honor those who died in the Civil War. After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor all American service members who died in any war, not just the Civil War.  In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. This moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, effective in 1971, when it was also officially named “Memorial Day.” As one 1868 quote put it: “That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”