PERMANENT SHOWROOM - PROSPECTUS

The Merchandise Mart, Chicago

Why Do You Need a Showroom at The Mart?

		To Stand Out In A Crowd 91% of buyers rank trade shows as their #1 choice for making buying decisions.* A permanent showroom allows your product to be showcased in a customized environment that presents your product to its best advantage. (*Source: Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
		The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ is the only show in the United States dedicated to the casual and outdoor furnishings industry that is exclusively endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) and the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR).

No. 1 Destination in Business Travel...Chicago!
"Chicago tallied the most general business visits in 2003, beating out Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York and Atlanta, in that order. And it outpaced Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Orlando and Atlanta in visits for conventions, conferences and seminars." Reported by Chicago Tribune on February 9, 2005.

The Mart that Started it All
The Merchandise Mart has been a furniture showplace for more than 75 years. With such a wide selection of indoor and outdoor casual furniture showcased in over 350,000 square feet of permanent showroom space, we showcase it all, in one convenient place for the ultimate buying experience.

The Mart of the Future
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) has successfully implemented an aggressive growth strategy that secures its position as North America's premiere specialist in marketing support of wholesale showroom buildings and trade shows, both now and into the 21st century.

Your Success Is Our Success
As partners with our showrooms, our success is based on your success, and we construct our marketing programs as a platform on which you can build your own events. Key components to success at The Mart include:

• THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES MARKET which brings more than 5,000 buyers to your door. The Market is the only show in the United States dedicated to the casual indoor and outdoor furnishings industry that is exclusively endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) and the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR).
• RESIDENTIAL DESIGN PROFESSIONALS that come to The Merchandise Mart daily. With more than 700,000 square feet of casual furnishings showrooms, The Merchandise Mart Design Center is the world's first and largest design center and is used by thousands of designers each year.
• ANNUAL TREASURE HUNT LUXURY SAMPLE SALES that bring hundreds of designers and consumers directly to your showroom.
• DREAM HOME the Design House at The Merchandise Mart, demonstrates the unparalleled work crafted by nine of Chicago’s top interior design firms using resources form the showrooms at the Mart. Their collaboration with The Mart showrooms have resulted in a home that will inspire all who enter.
• DREAMROOMS is a design showcase that highlights the luxury resources and products that are available at The Merchandise Mart Design Center.
• FINE DESIGN at NeoCon combined with LuxeHome’s® luxury boutique offerings for home building and renovation, constitutes the world’s first and still largest design center. It is the design professional’s ultimate resource for luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting, antiques, accessories and much more.
• DESIGN CHICAGO is a full out mélange of cutting edge design.  It offers something for everyone from insightful, delightful presentations from industry icons to fabulous product finds and more.

To support these events, we target and bring qualified buyers into The Merchandise Mart through a comprehensive, integrated promotional campaign that includes:

• ADVERTISING. Look for full page, 4-color ads promoting the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market in all major casual furnishings trade publications.
• DIRECT MAIL. A fully integrated campaign targets both past attendees and prospects that are qualified buyers in the casual furnishings industry.
• PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. Promotional opportunities during market are available to all permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors, including the New Product Gallery, event sponsorships and the prestigious annual Design Excellence Awards Competition.
• SPECIAL MARKET EVENTS. Complimentary parties and seminars are all part of the networking experience that makes The Merchandise Mart in Chicago the place to be during Market.
• WWW.MERCHANDISEMART.COM. Easily accessible and up-to-date market, registration and travel information, as well as special showroom marketing opportunities, are featured on the official Merchandise Mart Web site. As a permanent showroom, your company is listed in our Web site and we offer a FREE link to your own Web site.
• CASUAL MARKET AND MART BUILDING DIRECTORIES are created annually, listing your showroom information, lines and location. Advertising opportunities are available.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS
For more information on permanent casual furniture showrooms, contact:

John H. Brennen III
Executive Vice President
Phone: 312-527-7950
Fax: 312-527-7888
E-mail: jbrennen@mmart.com

Whitney Gillespie
Vice President of Sales & Leasing
312.527.7581 (Office)
312.379.6065 (Fax)
wgillespie@mmart.com

Dace Lilo
Leasing Administrator
Phone: 312-527-7065
Fax: 312-379-6010
dlilo@mmart.com

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI)
The Merchandise Mart, Suite 470
Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

For more information regarding the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, visit our Web site at www.casualmarket.com