The Next Big Thing 2009-this could be you!

We are encouraging all our readers and fans to take their new products to the next level by entering this fantastic contest. We enjoyed participating and being named as one of the three finalists! Go for it! (the following is a press release from the Dallas Market Center)

February 24, 2009

DALLAS – February 24, 2009 – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource, today announced a call for entries for its national product search contest – The Next Big Thing. Three finalists will show their products in front of more than 50,000 attendees during the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market being held June 24-30, 2009.

The contest is for anyone who has The Next Big Thing – an artist, product designer, entrepreneur, or your next door neighbor. It offers the opportunity for those with great ideas to make their dream a reality.

“Now more than ever we want to partner with up-and-coming entrepreneurs,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “In challenging economic times it’s important to help develop small businesses that can improve the financial landscape of our country. The Next Big Thing national product search contest does just that – it allows individuals to show their products to wholesale buyers from throughout the world.”

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. The Next Big Thing could be the newest gadget, perfect gift, or must have fashion accessory. This is an opportunity to get your product out in the market.

The finished product should be unique with an outstanding design and concept. Applications can be downloaded at www.dallasmarketcenter.com by clicking on The Next Big Thing and should be submitted via e-mail to thenextbigthing@dmcmail.com or mailed to The Next Big Thing; c/o Dallas Market Center; 2100 Stemmons Freeway, MS 120; Dallas, Texas; 75207 by April 1, 2009.

Three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from trade and consumer publications as well as Dallas Market Center representatives and announced on April 20, 2009. The finalists will receive airfare and hotel to the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market FINDS Temp Show (June 26-29, 2009) to show their product in a complimentary exhibit space.

The judges will select a winner based on the finalists’ product, trade space presentation, and production plan. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and will win a prize package worth more than $10,000 including exhibit space at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, January 13-19, 2010, 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.

Renee Williams, founder of SIPATINIZ™, was awarded The Next Big Thing title this past January with her spill-resistant martini glass and will show her product again this June as part of her prize package.

“I never in a million years thought I’d be selected as a finalist much less win,” said Williams. “The Dallas Market Center has offered the support and partnership I needed to grow my business and develop SIPATINIZ. I still can’t believe all of the opportunities that have been presented to me since winning!”

SIPATINIZ was selected from three contest finalists including Good For You Girls™ and Vintage Hem©. More information on our January finalists is available on their Web sites at www.sipatiniz.com, www.goodforyougirls.com and www.vintagehem.com.

For additional information on the contest visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com and click on The Next Big Thing or e-mail thenextbigthing@dmcmail.com.
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 www.dallasmarketcenter.com.