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Next Big Thing Finalists Named
April 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on April 25, 2013
Dallas Market Center has named three finalists The Next Big Thing, DMC's national product search contest.
The finalists--Lawn Lights, Maggies and Tady Tote--will exhibit before attendees countries during the June 20-23 Dallas Temp Show to be held in conjunction with the June 19-25 Total Home & Gift Market.
Lawn Lights is an illuminated outdoor decoration that blankets a large area in lights, doing for lawns what net lights do for bushes and shrubs. Designed primarily for use at Christmas, they also can be used for weddings and other special occasions. Users can create a unique nighttime display in a short time by unrolling the string of LED lights in arcs, loops or semi-circles and staking them in the ground. No tools, ladders, extension cords or staples are needed. Each set of 36 lights can cover roughly 1,600 to 3,600 square feet depending on how far apart the lights are set.
Maggies are a patented magnetic textile fastener powerful enough to allow several layers of fabric to be secured without slipping. Ideal for shawls, scarves and sarongs, they hold as securely as stitching and are very simple to use.
Tady Tote provides a large, indoor/outdoor cushioned area for a child to play on. Tady Tote converts from bag to mat instantly and has waterproof backing and a snuggly teddy bear blanket that is removable and easy to launder. Large enough for parent and child, Tady Tote also has pockets for baby bottles and snacks. Toys and other items can be left on the mat--users simply fold and go.
The Next Big Thing contest received dozens of applications from product designers, entrepreneurs, and other creative minds from across the country and internationally. The contest allows up-and-comers, whether companies or individuals, to show their product in front of domestic and international retail buyers at Dallas Market Center.
Judges from consumer and trade media as well as industry experts and a former winner will help select the winner based on the finalists products. In addition, the public will have a chance to vote to show their support for their favorite product on the Dallas Market Center Facebook page by Liking the photo of the finalist of their choice in The Next Big Thing 2013 Finalists Facebook album. Popular voting will begin May 1 and run through June 12. The winner will be selected based on a combination of judges feedback and popular vote.
The Next Big Thing winner will be announced June 22 and receive a prize package worth more than $12,500 including a $2,500 cash prize. The package includes exhibit space at the Dallas Temp Show in January 2014, a profile in Dallas Market Centers award-winning custom publication, and consultations from industry experts regarding branding, marketing, public relations, visual merchandising and more.