Sep 20, 2007

10-Year Partnership with Accessories Resource Team Announced; Includes Strategic Plan to Extend Membership and Enhance Industry

Dallas, TX – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale resource, and the Accessories Resource Team (ART) today formally announced a 10-year partnership. This strategic alliance includes long-range plans designed to further enhance ART and promote the decorative accessories industry. Dallas Market Center and ART have been partners since 1989, working together to support manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives, designers, and other industry partners via conferences, seminars, business assistance programs, and special events such as the ARTS Awards.

With a strategic goal of expanding ART’s membership, Dallas Market Center committed to sponsoring20 home decor retailers for first-time ART membership each year for the next 10 years. Thesesponsorships will allow these retailers to quickly contribute to the growth of the organization.

In addition to the sponsorships, the annual ARTS Awards – the premier international awards programfor the home decorative accessories industry – will continue to be produced and hosted by Dallas Market Center during the January Total Home & Gift Market.

In support of the ART Conference, a long summer weekend filled with educational sessions and socialactivities, Dallas Market Center will continue to help with the organization and promotion of events.

Additionally, Dallas Market Center is providing an expanded office and meeting space for the Accessories Resource Team. ART will utilize the space to coordinate its membership activities which includes participation in the semi-annual Dallas Sample Sale/Goods to Go produced by Dallas MarketCenter. Proceeds from this event contribute to the annual operating funds for ART.

“Our continuing partnership with ART represents one of the principal platforms reinforcing Dallas Market Center’s position as the national Total Home Market destination. We applaud ART and all of their members for their proactive contributions to this important, vibrant and growing industry.” said Bill Winsor, President and CEO, Dallas Market Center.

“We’re pleased to continue the successful collaboration with Dallas Market Center, as our strategic partner since 1989,” said David Gebhart, President of the Executive Board, ART. “We look forward to the next 10 years of celebrating the immense talent and contributions within the home decor industry. And, we are particularly pleased by the continued growth and importance of the ARTS Awards each year.”

For tickets to the 2008 ARTS Awards gala, taking place on Saturday, January 19, 2008, please contact Sara MacDonald at 214-655-7635 or smacdonald@dmcmail.com.

Make plans now to attend the January Total Home & Gift Market, January 16 – 22, in Dallas. Attendees may contact the Dallas Market Center’s in-house travel agency, MarketTravel, for substantial travel and hotel discounts by calling 1-800-DAL-MKTS.

About Dallas Market Center

Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource. 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 84 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundreds of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits.

As a result, more than $7.5 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center Web site is available at dallasmarketcenter.com.

About the Accessories Resource Team

The Accessories Resource Team (ART) is the association representing accessory manufacturers, retailers, representatives and other industry individuals and companies interested in promoting the decorative home accessories industry. The association’s goal is to enhance the market position of decorative home accessories. Each year ART sponsors programs such as the ART conference, regional educational seminars and the ARTS Awards. The Accessories Resource Team Web site is available at accessoriesresourceteam.org.

About the ARTS Awards

The ARTS Awards is the premiere awards program dedicated to the home decorative accessories industry. Twenty-six categories exist under the headings Manufacturer, Retailer, Product Designer, Sales Representative, Rising Star, Academy of Achievement and Hall of Fame. Manufacturers and the Rising Star award are nominated by retailers, sales representatives, designers, suppliers, consultants and other industry officials. Retailers are nominated by manufacturers, sales representatives and other industry officials. Sales representatives are nominated by manufacturers, retailers and other industry officials. Product designers are nominated by all. The Academy of Achievement honoree is selected by the ARTSAwards committee each year. Companies that have won the ARTS Awards five or more times will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame members are: Distinctive Designs International Inc., Fine Art Lamps, Montaage, Natural Decorations Inc., Palecek, Robb & Stucky and Schonbek Worldwide Lighting.