In 1907 the Dallas Cotton Exchange opened its doors and remained for many years the world's largest inland cotton market. Farmers flocked to do their banking in the city where trade was good, leading Dallas to establish a large network of banks.

Dallas' banking sector was joined by the insurance business and later, by aircraft construction, film and the fashion industry, diversification that proved to be a lifesaver when oil prices plunged in the 1980s.

Dallas is one of the best-equipped business cities in the US – visitors have over 58,000 hotel rooms to choose from.