HOTTEST TRENDS AND NEWEST PRODUCTS REVEALED AT THE INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES MARKET, SEPT. 14-17, 2005

CHICAGO (Sept. 22, 2005) – Weather resistant faux leather, an eight-foot tall palm tree that serves as an outdoor space heater and mister, deep seating, muted colors and modular pieces are just a few of the newest products and trends revealed at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market (ICFAM), held at The Merchandise Mart, Sept. 14-17, 2005. As the only show of its kind in the country, attendees at the Casual Market were literally the first to see, touch and place orders for indoor/outdoor casual furnishings and accessories featured at this exquisite Market.

“The casual industry continues to grow and showcase fashionable, yet functional products that fit today’s consumer’s lifestyle and demands,” said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). “The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market has evolved as well. We work hard to produce a show that is exhibitor and buyer friendly, because their success sets the tone for the 2006 selling season.”

As attendees navigated the four floors of product, orders were placed and sales were up for several exhibitors.

“We feel very lucky to have a premium space in this building and this show just keeps getting better and better,” said Bob Gaylord, president, Agio. “We have had a stronger start this year than last. Even better, attendees are coming in with a purpose..they are coming to buy. Despite the fact that we have a limited customer base because we only sell in bulk, we have made many large sales already in the first day.”

“I was skeptical at first about traffic at the show because of the success of the pre-market and factors like Hurricane Katrina, but much to my amazement, traffic was as good as, if not better, than last year. I was very pleased with the show,” said Ken Burrows, Terra Furniture.

“This show has been even better than expected. Buyers are coming in to put pencil to paper; we are making tons of sales,” said John C. Kossler, Summit Partners for Ebel. “The Ebel line is on fire right now and this show is right on target for us.”

Highlights of the Casual Market include new products like Ebel’s Bayonne Club Chair and Corsica Club Swivel Rocker, wicker collections that signify the comeback of wicker as a hot trend in the casual industry. The show also featured the new Merchandising Excellence Award that recognizes exhibitors who presented the best of the best in visual merchandising in their showroom or booth; the prestigious Design Excellence Awards which honors manufacturers whose merchandise demonstrate innovation, fine craftsmanship and great engineering; and the popular Apollo Awards that pay tribute to retailers whose outstanding accomplishments and dedication to customer service distinguish them from the others.

Sunnyland Furniture took top honors in the single-store category and Casual Marketplace in the multi-store category at the Apollo Awards, and TUUCI’s Metro Parasol won the Lillian B. Winchester Best in Show Award for the Design Excellence Awards.

Show attendees also had access to a variety of events and informative seminars during the Market, and were able to see even more product offerings at The Chicago Gift & Home Market™, which ran concurrently with the Casual Market.

SAVE THE DATE:

International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market

Sept. 13-16, 2006

The Merchandise Mart

For more information about the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800.677-6278 (MART).

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market is a trademark of MMPI. Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show, leasing and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, 350 W. Mart Center and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Natalie Campbell

Public Relations Associate

Phone: 312.527.7790

E-mail: ncampbell@mmart.com