Dallas Total Home & Gift Market® Offers Smart Business Opportunities June 24-30, 2009

Dallas Market Center, the world's most complete wholesale marketplace, today announced that the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market® taking place June 24-30, 2009, will offer smart business opportunities for buyers including thousands of new products across dozens of categories, more than 100 special events including educational seminars, and the most cost-efficient market destination in the country with the lowest hotel rates in five years. Dallas Market Center's continued mission is to best prepare retailers for the upcoming selling season.

"In order to stay ahead of the competition buyers must prepare for the upcoming selling season during June Market," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. "Our loyal customers are seeking safer returns on investment, and the Dallas marketplace remains the best value for customers - more products across more categories in an easy-to-shop environment and the best travel value."

June FINDS Dallas Temp Show Offers Products Across More Categories

FINDS presents nearly 500,000 square feet of the latest products in the following categories: Christmas & Floral, Gift, Paper, Collegiate, Kids, Hill Country, Red Haute, Fashion, Design, Furniture, Home, and Cash & Carry. New FINDS exhibitors for June include: Janska Polartec© fleece capes, leggings, jackets and shawls; Mia & Me unique dolls; Rachel Eva handcrafted, exotic jewels; Wood Impressions personalized, Alderwood picture frame designs; My Campus Adventure books featuring various collegiate mascots; F.B. Fogg handmade paper sculptures and decorations; Darrallene Design wall décor, chargers and coasters; Woven Workz beautifully crafted throws and wearable wraps; D. Stevens home accessories; La Bouquetière body, bath and home care items and gifts; and many more. Some exhibitors returning to FINDS are Glenda Gies, Cynthia H, CGC Collection, Gypsy Soule, Nite Nite, Papaya, Cody Foster and Design Legacy, to name a few.

Buyers who shop FINDS will have an opportunity to win $500 each day in the Shop FINDS Giveaway and may re-enter each day they meet the $250 minimum purchase order with a FINDS exhibitor. Drawings will be held in different FINDS locations daily, buyers must be present to win. The Red Rewards program will offer discounts for buyers that place orders with FINDS exhibitors. The program is designed to benefit Dallas Market Center's loyal buyers by offering them exclusive discounts and incentives during each major gift market.

12 th Floor, World Trade Center

Gift - A wide range of products including ceramics, holiday, inspirational, craft and floral, novelties, souvenirs, collectibles, and pet items

Paper - A varied collection of party-ware, stationery, gift wrap, greeting cards, books, wedding accessories, photo albums, frames, journals and desk accessories

Kids - Newly relocated from the 8th floor, Kids will offer everything for children, from baby to tween, as well as maternity. Products include toys, bedding, room décor, dolls, plush, apparel, footwear and more

Collegiate - Licensed gift and apparel merchandise representing colleges, universities, bowl games and conferences, including NCAA and The Heisman Trophy. Also featuring NFL, MLB, NASCAR and other licensed sports products

13 th Floor, World Trade Center

Design - A juried, high-style selection from classic to contemporary, including gifts, premium candles, personal care, decorative accessories, textiles, artisan-made products and other unique finds

Home - Decorative accessories including textiles, lamps and lighting, wall décor, tabletop, home accents and more

Hill Country - Everything from iron work to cowhide, rustic home décor and gifts that reflect the Western/ranch lifestyle

Red Haute - A juried selection of high-end, boutique fashion accessories including jewelry, apparel, handbags, footwear and hair accessories

Fashion - Stylish merchandise for men and woman including jewelry, apparel, cosmetics, handbags, footwear, leather goods and more

Expo 1, World Trade Center

Christmas & Floral - The most comprehensive collection of seasonal and floral products in the nation

Market Hall/North Hall

Furniture - An extensive collection of traditional, rustic and modern case and upholstered goods as well as larger decorative items including lighting, rugs, artwork, accent and antique furniture and outdoor furnishings

Market Hall/Main Hall

Cash & Carry - A purchase-ready assortment of jewelry, fashion accessories, apparel, gifts, decorative items, cosmetics, candles and much more

Remember - Buyers who shop FINDS will have an opportunity to win $500 each day in the Shop FINDS Giveaway and may re-enter each day they meet the $250 minimum purchase order with a FINDS exhibitor. Drawings will be held in different FINDS locations daily, buyers must be present to win.

Help Choose The Next Big Thing

Dallas Market Center, today announced the finalists for The Next Big Thing national product search contest - BibBaby , EZ Off BBQ Tools and Freedom Gates . Now you have the opportunity to help one of these finalists win by text messaging your vote for your favorite product!

The Next Big Thing contest received applications from various artists, product designers and entrepreneurs. The contest allows up-and-comers, whether companies or individuals, to show their product(s) in front of domestic and international retail buyers at Dallas Market Center.

Information and images of the finalists' innovative products are now available at http://dallasmarketcenter.com/contestfinalists along with voting instructions. Voting begins today, April 20 and ends June 26 at midnight CDT. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 27 at 3 p.m.

Once you review the products send a text message to TEXT ME (839863) to cast your vote. Text "Big 1" for BibBaby, text "Big 2" for EZ Off BBQ Tools, or text "Big 3" for Freedom Gates. Standard text messaging rates apply, voters may submit votes daily, and voting is open to all mobile carriers. Text voting results are one factor in determining the contest winner.

The finalists will exhibit before an estimated 50,000 attendees from more than 84 countries and all 50 states during the upcoming FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 26-29, 2009, which coincides with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 24-30.

BibBaby , based in Montgomery, Ala., is a baby bib that extends to and across the lap of babies and toddlers. The extra coverage helps with easy meal cleanup. Typical bibs only cover the child's chest area but BibBaby protects the child's clothes from the shoulders to the lap. It has three adjustable sturdy snaps and is available in a variety of stylish patterns and designs.

Sabrina Russell, founder of BibBaby, noticed the need for a larger bib when she was teaching her son to feed himself. There wasn't a bib on the market that truly kept children clean while they were being fed or feeding themselves. BibBaby bibs are sold individually and manufactured in the United States.

EZ Off BBQ Tools , based in Denver, Colo., allow grillers to remove food with ease from the barbeque tools. The barbeque tool set includes: a spring action "pusher" fork and tongs with rounded grips, four skewers with "sliders," and a "Mighty Spatula" with a serrated knife-edge to cut through meat and poultry. The innovative designs push food off the tools without having to dirty another utensil or get your hand near the heat and flame of your grill. All items are made from top quality chromed steel and solid wood.

Founder Gregory Renault was inspired to develop the barbeque tools because of his own frustration when grilling. He thought there must be a better way to remove food from forks and skewers. EZ Off BBQ Tools eliminate the hassle of barbequing - it's grilling made simple.

Freedom Gates , based in Edwardsville, Ill., are the first high-style pet gates that set dependable boundaries for your pet while enhancing your home's interior. The frameless gates are made with durable, clear, acrylic panels that feature a selection of unique art screens that add a little something to a room.

Donna Potter, founder of Freedom Gates, had just remodeled her home when her family decided to add a dog to their group. She didn't want to sacrifice style by cluttering her home with dog accessories such as unsightly dog gates so Potter set out to create a designer-influenced pet product. Freedom Gates allow you to "love your home and your pet," Potter said. The line of designer pet gates adds warmth and fun to your home. To learn more about Freedom Gates visit http://www.freedomgates.com.

The Next Big Thing finalists will show their products in FINDS and be judged by industry experts during market. The contest allows up-and-comers to show their product in front of buyers during the June Market in a complimentary exhibit space. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 27 at 3 p.m. and will win a prize package worth more than $10,000 including exhibit space at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, January 13-19, 2010, a profile in one of Dallas Market Center's award-winning custom publications, consultations from leading industry experts regarding branding, public relations, visual merchandising and much more.

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market offers more products, seminars and a cost-efficient destination this June

June Total Home & Gift Market will offer dozens of educational opportunities for buyers. Below are some highlights:

Seminar: "Little Things to Do to Make '09 Turn Out Fine," by Tom Shay, CSP, owner of Profits Plus, on Friday, June 26 at 9 a.m., World Trade Center (WTC), Suite 9065. It's a challenging economy today, and businesses need to know how to quickly adapt. Shay will enlighten buyers with tips on how to thrive as small business owners in this new economic environment.

Keynote Address: "Color and Design Trends: De-Mystifying Future Forecasts" presented by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute, on Friday, June 26 at noon, WTC, Hall of Nations. Come and listen to renowned color specialist, Eiseman, as she discusses the divergent influences on customers as well as the most important trends for the future and what color palettes will look like and why.

Seminar: "10 Trends to Tempt Sales in Trying Times" by Caroline Kennedy, editor-in-chief, Gift and Decorative Accessories , on Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m., WTC, Suite 9065. Customers may be cutting back, but they still need to buy gifts for those special occasions. This presentation will help buyers target customers' needs with a good selection of up-to-date suggestions, many of which won't break the bank.

Seminar: "Turning Green for Retailers" by Annette Stelmack, interior designer and co-author of Sustainable Residential Interiors , on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m., International Floral & Gift Center® (IFGC), Seasons Gallery. Join Stelmack as she advises retailers on everything green.

Boxed Lunch Seminar: "Home Décor Trends" by Michelle Lamb, editor, The Trend Curve^TM , on Saturday, June 27 at noon, IFGC, Seasons Gallery. Respected industry consultant, Lamb, will share her trend-tracking expertise that will help buyers identify products, colors, patterns and designs that can help turn trends into profits (boxed lunch available for $5).

Keynote Address: "How to Recession Proof Your Business for 2009" presented by Bryan Dodge, Dodge Development, Inc., on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m., WTC, Hall of Nations. Join Dodge for a motivating presentation that will eliminate frustration and stress. Retailers will learn how to bring chemistry back to their team at a higher level, to remain focused on the things that matter and produce results, to take ownership of change, and recession proof thoughts for 2009.

Dallas Market Center will offer a range of special events throughout market including discovery tours, seminars, daily new buyer orientations, hospitalities and networking parties. See a complete list of special events by visiting www.dallasmarketcenter.com .

21st Annual ARTS Awards

Dallas market Center and the Accessories Resource Team invite you to nominate your peers for the world's foremost decorative accessories awards.  The ARTS Awards pay tribute to the talents of manufacturers, retailers, product designers and sales representatives in the decorative accessories industry.  Vote online at www.accessoriesresourceteam.org . Nomination deadline is July 3, 2009.  Winners will be announced at the ARTS Awards gala in Dallas on Saturday, June 16, 2010.

It's Christmas in June at Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center, the world's most complete wholesale resource and the home of Christmas, today announced it will again present a spectacular 4,200-square-foot, nine-room home furnished and decorated for the holidays during its Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 24-30, 2009. The home, which will feature products from showrooms throughout the Dallas Market Center campus, will be on exhibit in The Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart. Christmas exhibits, seminars, and other events during market will also be part of the Home for the Holidays market theme.

"We continue to offer the most comprehensive collection of Christmas merchandise in the nation," said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. "Home for the Holidays is the perfect venue to showcase the thousands of Christmas products our exhibitors offer. The Christmas and seasonal products industry is an important focus as buyers gear up for the most important selling season of the year."

The Home for the Holidays display is a juried exhibit of merchandise selected by interior designers and interior design students. It will feature a wide variety of products from a large number of Dallas Market Center exhibitors.

The Home for the Holidays showcase home will be open for free touring during market hours, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Friday when it will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors will see a wide variety of products - ranging from furniture and home accents to floor coverings, wall décor, tabletop, textiles and floral - displayed in a formal living room, dining room, master bedroom, tween room, guest room, home office, game room/bar, den/media room and garden terrace.

There will be a Home for the Holidays: Trim, Toast & Tour party with refreshments, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment at the Home for the Holidays exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26 in The Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart.

Big Buying Groups Descend on Dallas for June Market

Dallas Market Center, today announced that a range of large buying groups plan to attend the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market (June 24-30), including Purchasing Power Plus (PPP), Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP), Southwest Buying Group and several others.

PPP and AHVRP, both national hospital gift store buying groups, are returning this June. Other buying groups to attend June Market include craft store buying group Sierra Pacific as well as Southwest Buying Group, Coach House, and Catalog Network - all gift product buying groups. Collectively, these buying groups highly represent Hallmark Gold Crown stores and Ben Franklin Craft stores in addition to hospital gift stores around the country.

Notes from the Publisher

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