Tady Tote Wins Dallas’ The Next Big Thing Contest
Dallas Market Center recently announced The Next Big Thing winner, Tady Tote. The Next Big Thing is a national search for the best new products from throughout the country.
Tady Tote, created by Sharon Soloway of Tucson, Ariz., provides a large, indoor/outdoor cushioned area for a child to play on, from infant tummy time and rolling around to naps at preschool and beyond. Tady Tote converts from bag to mat instantly and has waterproof backing and a snuggly blanket that is removable and easy to launder. Large enough for parent and child, Tady Tote also has pockets for baby bottles and snacks. Toys and other items can be left on the mat – users simply fold and go.
The winner was announced during the Dallas Temp Show on Saturday, June 22 and awarded a prize package worth more than $12,500 including $2,500 cash, exhibit space at the January 2014 Dallas Temp Show, a profile in Dallas Market Center’s award-winning custom publication, and consultations with industry experts regarding branding, marketing, public relations, visual merchandising and more.
This year’s judges were Becky Tyre, trends editor at Gift Shop Magazine; Allison Schickel, founder of Brobe and former The Next Big Thing winner; and Rawlins Gilliland, retail consultant. Tady Tote was selected based on a combination of judges’ feedback as well as popular vote via Dallas Market Center’s Facebook page.
Tady Tote was selected from three contest finalists including Lawn LightsTM and MAGGIESTM. The finalists received travel, hotel and exhibit space to show their products during Market. The Next Big Thing contest received dozens of applications from product designers, entrepreneurs, and other creative minds from across the country and internationally. The contest allows up-and-comers, whether companies or individuals, to show their product in front of domestic and international retail buyers at Dallas Market Center. To learn more about this year’s finalists, past winners or additional information, visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/thing.
About Dallas Market Center
Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace. Within its marketplace of more than five million square feet, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and men’s, western, women’s and children’s apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 retail buyers from all 50 states and 78 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundreds of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits. As a result, more than $8 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center website is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com. 
