The Next Big Thing National Product Search Finalists Announced
Dallas Market Center today announced the finalists of The Next Big Thing, a national product search contest – Brobe, Accessory ConnectzTM and PotBraTM. The finalists will exhibit before an estimated 50,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 78 countries during the upcoming FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 21-24.
Brobe is a robe with a built in bra for personal and medical use. There are three types of Brobes: The Original “O” Brobe for extra support and coverage, the Mommy Brobe for the nursing mother, and the Recovery Brobe that helps women who have undergone mastectomy or breast reconstruction. Lined with drainage vials and pockets for ice packs, the Recovery Brobe helps create a more comfortable recovery.
Allison Schickel of Austin, Texas, had the idea of the Brobe in 2004. Schickel partnered with a local seamstress and started designing the original “O” Brobe followed by the Mommy Brobe, for the nursing mother. Schickel then recognized that women who are overcoming breast cancer would greatly benefit from the product and developed the Recovery Brobe in 2011. In 2012, Schickel partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the Recovery Brobe to breast cancer research. For more information, visit www.thebrobe.com.
Accessory Connectz makes accessorizing flip flops, headbands and pet collars simple and fun. The product is a strap device that allows customers to clip, pin or button on their favorite accessories to their items. In addition to the straps, Accessory Connectz offers a line of button on flowers. Accessory Connectz is a product that allows customers to get the look they desire in a matter of seconds on a budget.
Monica Wreede of Delphos, Ohio had been a children’s clothing and accessory designer for many years. After her daughter was born 7 years ago, Wreede stumbled across designing flip flops and knew there was an easier, fun and more affordable way to accessorize them. For more information, visit www.accessoryconnectz.com.
PotBra is a unique kitchen gadget designed for food transportation. Made out of a silicone rubber, the band has three cut outs that can stretch to fit any pot or pan to prevent the food from spilling during transport.
Sherrie and Keith Charles of Fort Worth, Texas created the PotBra in 2011. When attending potluck dinners, Sherrie’s dishes would always spill during transportation, that’s when Keith decided to make something to prevent food from spilling in the car. Being in the rubber business, he made a rubber band that stretches over pots or pans to keep the lids in place while traveling. For more information, visit www.potbra.com.
The Next Big Thing contest received applications from throughout the country from product designers, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home moms, and other creative minds. 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.
An upcoming Know It All blog post will highlight the three products – www.dallasmarketcenter.com/blogs/knowitall. The public is invited to cast their vote for their favorite product by commenting on the blog post highlighting the finalists and include their favorite product’s name in the comment (only one comment per email address will count towards the popular vote). Voting will begin once the blog post is live on Friday, April 20th and end at midnight on Friday, June 22nd. The winner will be selected based on a combination of judges’ feedback and popular vote. The winner will be announced on June 23rd during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.
Judges include members of the media and industry experts and will help select the winner during Market based on the finalists’ product design and sell ability. The winner will receive a prize package worth more than $12,500 including a $2,500 cash prize, exhibit space at the January 2013 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, 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.
For additional information on the contest visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contests or email thenextbigthing@mcmcmail.com.
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.
