Apr 14, 2011

The Next Big Thing National Product Search Finalists Announced

Founders Lynn Byrd and Chris Ziebach of Monroeville, Ala., saw the need for a convenient way to tote their daughters’ favorite pillows and blankets to sleepovers. To learn more about The Pillow Bag visit www.thepillowbag.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.

Information and images of the finalists’ innovative products are now available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contests/thing along with voting instructions. Voting begins April 12 at noon and ends June 24 at midnight CDT. Once you review the products visit www.facebook.com/dallasmarketcenter to cast your vote by clicking on the “poll” tab. The winner is selected based on a combination of judges’ feedback and popular vote. The winner will be announced on June 25 during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.

Judges include members of the media and industry experts and will help select the winner based on the finalists’ product design and salability during the Market. The winner will receive a prize package worth more than $12,500 including a $2,500 cash prize, exhibit space at the January 2012 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.