JANUARY 2005 CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKET™ GROWS ONCE AGAIN

PROVIDING MORE THAN 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF RESOURCES UNDER ONE ROOF

With this third and latest addition — 100,000 square feet of additional temporary exhibiting space —

the January Market sets the trend for the industry: growth

CHICAGO [Sept. 29, 2004] – This January, gift and home buyers will have even more incentive to attend the Chicago Gift & Home Market™ at The Merchandise Mart, as product lines and exhibitors are added to the already expansive show. For one full week, from Wednesday, Jan. 19 through Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, buyers can shop six floors of hard-to-find resources, offering everything from gift and home to handmade and fine foods. The latest expansion of 100,000 square feet on floors 7 and 8, is the third in recent years, bringing the total dedicated square footage of the Market to 1,150,000.

The existing 8th floor temporary exhibit space has been completely refurbished to feature an improved floorplan and updated look. The expansion includes the relocation and growth of Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show™ Chicago to the 7th floor. Beckman’s will continue to offer premier traditional and contemporary handcrafted product from artisans from all across the nation. In addition, the Market’s expanded Home section will be moved to the 7th floor and will highlight the latest in home décor. Convenient access between floors 7 and 8 will ensure ease of use for attendees. An unveiling of the new floors takes place Saturday, Jan. 22 at 9 a.m., with a grand opening celebration at 11 a.m. featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, complimentary mimosas and appetizers for all buyers.

MARKET FEATURES

With 350 permanent showrooms and nearly 1,000 temporary exhibitors, the Market offers an ever-expanding variety of product categories on six different floors.

Permanent Showrooms

Showrooms on floors 12, 13, 14 and 15 provide attendees with unique product choices available year-round. Market hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m. with evening hours on Jan. 22 until 8 p.m. and an earlier close on the Market’s last day, Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m.

Market Temporaries

The 7th- and 8th-floor temporary exhibitors, including Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago, are open

Jan. 22-25 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. excluding an earlier close on Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. for the 7th floor and 2 p.m. for the 8th floor. These floors will showcase gift, home and garden product including:

• Gift

• Home

• Garden

Containers, flags, fountains/planters, garden product, indoor/outdoor decorative accessories,

statuary/sculpture, wind chimes and wrought iron

New to this Market will be:

• Urban Chic

• What a Girl Wants

• The Pantry

Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago

In its new location on the 7th floor, Beckman’s continues to display both traditional and contemporary products, including: Americana, colonial, country, eclectic, folk, lodge, primitive, southwest, trend, Victorian and western. The traditional collection features soft sculpture, wall décor, luxurious textiles, gourmet, country collectibles, folk art and Christmas selections.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Shop Hop Retail Tour

Friday, Jan. 21 • 6:30–8 p.m.

Trolley departs from the South Drive at 6:15 p.m.

This unique tour offers buyers the chance to visit some of Chicago’s chicest shops in its trendiest neighborhoods to see what’s happening now in display and product ideas throughout the city. Buyers must R.S.V.P. to receive a trolley pass. The first 40 buyers to call will gain free admission to the tour by calling Dianna Mosley at 312-527-7522. Boxed dinners will be served.

7th & 8th Floor Ribbon Cuttings

Saturday, Jan. 22 • 11 a.m.

Join us for the much-anticipated unveiling of the new temporary exhibit floors as well as the new categories! Buyers will be treated to upbeat music, complimentary mimosas and appetizers as we welcome up to 1,000 exhibitors! The party begins at 9 a.m. with the floors opening then, and the ribbon-cutting will take place at 11 a.m. on floors 7 & 8. Be sure to mark your calendar to join us during this momentous occasion.

Snacks on Us

Saturday, Jan. 22 • noon

Buyers will be treated to a complimentary lunch snack on showroom floors (12-15) on Jan. 22 at noon. Just take a break while shopping the vast resources of the Market, catch up with your colleagues or make new friends!

Shop Late ’Til 8

Saturday, Jan. 22

All permanent showrooms on floors 12-15 will be open late for one evening, offering buyers an evening of shopping, appetizers and drinks.

I Love the ’80s Party

Sunday, Jan. 23 • 6 – 8 p.m.

1st-floor Lobby

All Market attendees are invited to attend this free evening of retro inspiration featuring complimentary food and a cash bar. The “Brat Pack” plays ’80s tunes to enhance the mood of feathered hair, up-turned collars, acid wash jeans and leg warmers.

Power Brunch

Monday, Jan. 24 • 10 a.m.

Merchandise Mart 8th-floor Market Suites

Offering an enhanced shopping experience for buyers on the 8th floor seeking gift, home and garden resources, complimentary snacks will be served to all buyers.

Snack Stop on 7

Tuesday, Jan. 25 • 10 a.m.

7th-floor Market Suites

Buyers will be treated to complimentary snacks while shopping the 7th-floor Market Suites featuring gift, home and garden resources.

Meet The Artist

Saturday, Jan. 22 – Tuesday, Jan. 25

Artisans from Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago will be on hand during this unique program highlighting their qualities and talents. Buyers can meet the artists and ask about their crafts first hand, gathering valuable information on production processes, and other details to help in the selling process. Watch for special “Meet the Artist” booth signage throughout the show or visit www.merchandisemart.com for a full list of artists.

Chicago’s Choice Awards

This prestigious award is presented to 30 exhibitors introducing new, distinctive products during the January 2005 Market. Award winners are selected by an independent panel of experts including designers, trade media and other industry experts. Exhibitors will be judged on the quality, innovation, ingenuity, originality and creativity of their product. Watch for the special “Chicago’s Choice” ribbon hanging from booth signage and worn by award recipients. A list of winners also can be found at www.merchandisemart.com one month prior to the Market.

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

Industry experts provide buyers with insight on everything from marketing and public relations tips to Web development, color and lighting tricks at this series of complimentary seminars.

§ Promoting Your Store Like A Pro

Saturday, Jan. 22 • 10 a.m.

Susan Wagner, editor, Country Business

§ Incorporating Contemporary/Lifestyle Product Into Your Mix

Saturday, Jan. 22 • 1 p.m.

Becky Boswell Smith, editor, Home Accents Today

§ Branding + Technology = Sales

Saturday, Jan. 22 • 3 p.m.

Diane Dowling, Marketing & Creative Services

§ Creative Floral Designs

Sunday, Jan. 23 • 10 a.m.

Talmage McLaurin, vice president, Florists’ Review

Sponsored by Sullivans

§ Setting Up and Managing a Web Site

Sunday, Jan. 23 • 12:30 p.m.

Ryp Walters, Overcoffee Productions

§ Trends

Sunday, Jan. 23 • 2:30 p.m.

Jim Carper, editor, Home Décor Buyer

§ Developing a Direct Mail Campaign

Monday, Jan. 24 • 10 a.m.

Marketing Communications, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

§ Generating Sales With Event Marketing

Monday, Jan. 24 • 12:30 p.m.

John Saxtan, editor in chief, Giftware News

BUYER AMENITIES

• Free registration

• Internet Café (Saturday, Jan. 22 – Tuesday, Jan. 25)

• Online Product Locator Service (in the Internet Café)

• Free shuttle trolley service between designated hotels and parking facilities

• Coat and luggage check ($2 per item)

• Concierge service

• Cafés and snack bars throughout the Market floors

TRAVEL/HOTEL INFORMATION

MMPI and the Chicago Gift & Home Market are pleased to offer low hotel rates for visiting buyers and exhibitors during the January 2005 Market. Market-goers can make all of their travel arrangements through Mart Travel Services. Attendees should book early for the best possible rates. For information on discounted airfare and hotel accommodations, visit www.merchandisemart.com or call Mart Travel Services at 800.528.8700.

For more information about the Chicago Gift & Home Market, please call 800.677.6278 or visit www.merchandisemart.com.

The Chicago Gift & Home Market is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). MMPI is a trade show 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, Chicago Apparel 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 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.

MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

Joanna Mineau

Director of Public Relations

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

312.527.7074

jmineau@mmart.com

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