Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., Acquires Design Vancouver Show

Furniture World Magazine

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and Magnum Productions Inc. announced the acquisition of the popular, cutting edge, consumer-focused Design Vancouver (dv - Interior Design & Urban Living Expo). With the acquisition, Jason Heard, show founder and president, will join the Merchandise Mart Properties' management team in Canada and will continue to run the event. When added to the current portfolio of innovative shows and events, including the popular Interior Design Show Toronto, IIDEX/NeoCon(R) Canada, Design Northwest, the One of a Kind Shows(TM), Construct Canada, Buildex, PM Expo, Design Trends, among others, MMPI will further extend its leadership in high-end design events for consumers and the trade. "We are proud to add Design Vancouver to our portfolio of great shows and events that are leading the way in design, creativity and innovation in the residential and built environments," said Steven Levy, senior vice president, MMPI. "Design Vancouver is a highly respected and distinct show that is unmatched in its ability to reach consumers looking for great design trends, style and functionality for their homes." "Joining the MMPI family of successful events is the perfect next-step in realizing the vision and potential of Design Vancouver," said Jason Heard, founder and president. "The West Coast is an important and growing market and this acquisition by MMPI will ensure a strong future for this upscale West Coast design show. We look forward to building a national tie with the IDS in Toronto, and continuing to develop and enhance design experiences across Canada for consumers as well as the design trade and retail buyers." "By merging Design Vancouver into our MMPI family, we will not only strengthen our Western reach and presence, but gain valuable insights and experiences that can be integrated into our other hugely popular shows throughout Canada, British Columbia and the Northwest U.S.," said Mark Stephenson, Vice President, Western Region, MMPI Canada. Terms of the private transaction were not released. This purchase is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions. Approaching its third annual event, May 4-6, 2007, Design Vancouver has become the design show for upscale consumers and design professionals on the West Coast. Through a range of innovative, thought-provoking displays, presentations and concepts, dv 2007 will again raise the bar for design events and challenge the boundaries of design. 2007 marks an interesting exploration for dv, detailing "the Stories Behind Design" from unique dv sponsors and exhibitors. dv will be held at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. More information about Design Vancouver can be found at http://www.dvexpo.ca/ . Magnum Productions Inc., located in Vancouver, British Columbia is a special events production company focusing on consumer events and private functions. Magnum directors have more than 40 years in the development of special events and event management from markets across Canada. Design Vancouver is an annual interior design show directed towards upscale purchasing consumers and design professionals from the West Coast. Merchandise Mart Properties Canada Inc., based in Toronto, produces The One of a Kind Shows, The Interior Design Show and IIDEX/NeoCon(R) Canada, which collectively attract more than 325,000 visitors and 1,800 exhibitors annually, and are considered the most innovative trade shows in the country. In 2007, MMPI acquired the shows and events of York Communications and MediaEdge Communications West. Combined, the companies now produce more than 40 shows and events annually, and is one of the largest producers of shows and events in Canada. Merchandise Mart Properties Canada is a division of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), a Chicago-based 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 and 350 West Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C. Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York City and owns MMPI, 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. , Inc. (MMPI) and Magnum Productions Inc. announced the acquisition of the popular, cutting edge, consumer-focused Design Vancouver (dv - Interior Design & Urban Living Expo). With the acquisition, Jason Heard, show founder and president, will join the Merchandise Mart Properties' management team in Canada and will continue to run the event. When added to the current portfolio of innovative shows and events, including the popular Interior Design Show Toronto, IIDEX/NeoCon(R) Canada, Design Northwest, the One of a Kind Shows(TM), Construct Canada, Buildex, PM Expo, Design Trends, among others, MMPI will further extend its leadership in high-end design events for consumers and the trade. "We are proud to add Design Vancouver to our portfolio of great shows and events that are leading the way in design, creativity and innovation in the residential and built environments," said Steven Levy, senior vice president, MMPI. "Design Vancouver is a highly respected and distinct show that is unmatched in its ability to reach consumers looking for great design trends, style and functionality for their homes." "Joining the MMPI family of successful events is the perfect next-step in realizing the vision and potential of Design Vancouver," said Jason Heard, founder and president. "The West Coast is an important and growing market and this acquisition by MMPI will ensure a strong future for this upscale West Coast design show. We look forward to building a national tie with the IDS in Toronto, and continuing to develop and enhance design experiences across Canada for consumers as well as the design trade and retail buyers." "By merging Design Vancouver into our MMPI family, we will not only strengthen our Western reach and presence, but gain valuable insights and experiences that can be integrated into our other hugely popular shows throughout Canada, British Columbia and the Northwest U.S.," said Mark Stephenson, Vice President, Western Region, MMPI Canada. Terms of the private transaction were not released. This purchase is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions. Approaching its third annual event, May 4-6, 2007, Design Vancouver has become the design show for upscale consumers and design professionals on the West Coast. Through a range of innovative, thought-provoking displays, presentations and concepts, dv 2007 will again raise the bar for design events and challenge the boundaries of design. 2007 marks an interesting exploration for dv, detailing "the Stories Behind Design" from unique dv sponsors and exhibitors. dv will be held at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. More information about Design Vancouver can be found at http://www.dvexpo.ca/ . Magnum Productions Inc., located in Vancouver, British Columbia is a special events production company focusing on consumer events and private functions. Magnum directors have more than 40 years in the development of special events and event management from markets across Canada. Design Vancouver is an annual interior design show directed towards upscale purchasing consumers and design professionals from the West Coast. Merchandise Mart Properties Canada Inc., based in Toronto, produces The One of a Kind Shows, The Interior Design Show and IIDEX/NeoCon(R) Canada, which collectively attract more than 325,000 visitors and 1,800 exhibitors annually, and are considered the most innovative trade shows in the country. In 2007, MMPI acquired the shows and events of York Communications and MediaEdge Communications West. Combined, the companies now produce more than 40 shows and events annually, and is one of the largest producers of shows and events in Canada. Merchandise Mart Properties Canada is a division of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), a Chicago-based 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 and 350 West Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C. Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York City and owns MMPI, 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.