Dec 18, 2008

National Product Search Contest Judges Announced

Dallas — Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, today announced “The Next Big Thing” contest judges. “The Next Big Thing” is a national search for the best new products. The distinguished judges will select the winner of the contest from among three finalists during the upcoming Total Home & Gift Market (January 14–20, 2009) on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

This year’s four judges are:

Rob Brinkley is the Dallas co-editor and national design editor at PaperCity magazine. PaperCity is a style and social magazine with monthly editions. Brinkley also writes for Elle Décor magazine and is the co-author of the new Assouline book, “Domestic Art: Curated Interiors.” He collects chairs designed by architects, aging luxury vehicles and recently started a collection of English wool blankets and throws.

Brittany Edwards is the Dallas editor of DailyCandy, a free daily e-newsletter and Web site that features all that is hot and new. Prior to joining the DailyCandy team this past April, Edwards was a freelance writer in New York City working for publications from Forbes to Lucky magazine. Before moving to the East Coast, she was a fashion and home writer for The Dallas Morning News, and continues to freelance for the paper, as well as F!D Luxe. Edwards holds a journalism degree and art history minor from Southern Methodist University and is originally from Orange County, California.

Andrea Lillo is a senior editor for Home Furnishings News (HFN), the New York-based trade publication for the home furnishings industry. Lillo, while overseeing coverage of the housewares category, has recently taken on the lighting and decorative accessories areas as well. She has a long career in trade publishing, including positions at Home Textiles Today, and she frequently writes about home design and green living trends.

Bessie Nestoras is the trends/features editor for Gifts & Decorative Accessories, a monthly trade publication that serves retailers, manufacturers and vendors of general gift products, decorative accessories, stationery and personal care products. Nestoras has been with the magazine for eight years, covering a wide range of markets. Prior to joining Gifts & Decorative Accessories she was the editor of a small publishing company focusing on collectibles.

“The Next Big Thing” 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. “The Next Big Thing” could be the newest gadget, perfect gift, or have to have fashion accessory.

The three finalists were recently announced and selected by Dallas Market Center representatives. This year’s finalists are: Good For You Girls™, SIPATINIZ™ and Vintage Hem©. The finalists receive airfare and hotel to the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market FINDS Temp Show (January 16–19, 2009) to show their product in a complimentary exhibit space (10′ x 10′ booth).

This opportunity allows for “The Next Big Thing” finalists to be seen by more than 50,000 market center attendees during the show. The media judges will select a winner based on the finalists’ product, trade space presentation, and production plan. The winner will be announced on Saturday, January 17, 2009, and will be awarded a prize package worth more than $10,000 including exhibit space at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market FINDS Temp Show, June 26–29, 2009, a feature profile in one of Dallas Market Center’s award-winning custom publications and consultations from leading industry experts regarding branding, public relations, visual merchandising and much more.

For additional information on the contest, visit dallasmarketcenter.com and click on “The Next Big Thing.”

Dallas Market Center holds four Total Home & Gift Markets (January, March, June and September) and five Apparel & Accessories Markets (January, March, June, August and October) each year. Retail buyers are offered new lines and products at Dallas Market Center throughout its permanent showrooms and temporary exhibition space.

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 $8 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.