The Trade Mart was the destination of United States President John F. Kennedy's motorcade on November 22, 1963 when he was assassinated in Dealey Plaza. He was scheduled to give a speech to 2,600 people at a sold-out luncheon in the Grand Courtyard. Notable guests awaiting Kennedy's arrival included Market Center partners Trammell Crow and John Stemmons; United States Senator Ralph Yarborough; J. Erik Jonsson, one of the owners of Texas Instruments; and Dallas Mayor Earle Cabell. Special dispensation had been arranged to allow the Catholics to eat the planned steak main course at the luncheon.