Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Bjornnes.
Alex, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The Chi Omega Christmas Market is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year! The first Market was held in November 1978 at the old Dallas Convention Center. After two years of planning, the Dallas Chi Omega Alumnae were so proud to have 49 booths and 14 double booths. It raised $13,150 for the Dallas Community – a huge success for the Market’s first year! Since 1978, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has expanded into one of the premier Christmas markets around the nation. Each year, we welcome 10,000+ shoppers from all around the country and consistently give back more than $250,000 to worthy, local beneficiaries. In total, we have given more than $7.76 million dollars to the Dallas community through grants and collegiate scholarships, and we are very excited to keep adding to that number.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not — there are always challenges! Securing merchants for the first Market in 1978 was a big struggle, but we are so proud of the Alumnae who believed wholeheartedly in the potential for the Chi Omega Christmas Market and who worked diligently to bring the vision to life. We’ve also had to find new venues to host the Market a few times throughout our history as we continue to expand! Since our early days at the old Dallas Convention Center, we’ve been at the old NorthPark Inn, back to the Dallas Convention Center and then to our current home in Fair Park. Finally, it’s always a struggle to select our beneficiaries. There are so many organizations working to bring positive change to North Texas that it is difficult to narrow it down! We love reading through the beneficiary applications each year and wish we had the resources to be able to support each of the very deserving organizations.
Please tell us about Chi Omega Christmas Market.
The Chi Omega Christmas Market is so proud to offer a unique one-of-a-kind shopping experience with more than 180 merchants showcasing gifts for every age, including: holiday decor, women’s clothing and accessories, home accents, children’s clothing and toys, food gifts and much more! As we mentioned previously, in its 40 year history, Chi Omega Christmas Market has distributed more than $7.76 million dollars to the Dallas community through grants to local charities and collegiate scholarships. Aside from the extensive selection of merchants and diverse items available for purchase, we’re set apart by the fact that funds for Chi Omega Christmas Market beneficiaries are derived solely from ticket sales, merchant booth fees, donations and underwriting. Chi Omega Christmas Market receives no monies from merchant booth sales. In 2016, we donated $320,000 to worthy local organizations and are thrilled to continue the tradition of giving this year!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
We love everything about Dallas and are so glad this event started in Dallas and continues 40 years later! This truly is a city that cares about each other, and we love seeing Dallasites support the Market’s beneficiaries each year. Dallas is also a city that really embraces the Christmas and holiday spirit, which is why there was such a need for an annual Christmas market! From the annual Christmas light displays in Highland Park Village to the Trains at NorthPark, Christmas in Dallas is a magical season. The Chi Omega Christmas Market is a longstanding tradition that kicks off the holidays for so many local families. In fact, many generations of women have visited the Market each year since childhood and continue the legacy with their own children. We are so thankful to have the support of women across Dallas – regardless of their Panhellenic affiliation – support our Chi Omega Christmas Market each year!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.chiomegaxmas.org/
- Email: office@chiomegaxmas.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiomegaxmas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chiomegachristmas
- Twitter:@chiomegaxmas
Image Credit:
Chi Omega Christmas Market
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