Dallas Market Center accepting entries for The Next Big Thing

National product search contest seeks the next hot gift, gadget or home item

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 2/11/2013 11:55:58 AM

DALLAS - Dallas Market Center announced it is accepting entries for The Next Big Thing, its national product search contest. Three finalists will show their products in front of more than 50,000 attendees during the Dallas Temp Show, to be held June 20-23 during the Total Home & Gift Market, June 19-25.

The contest is "for anyone who has the next hot product" - a product designer, entrepreneur, artist, stay-at-home mom, a next door neighbor or any other creative mind. It offers the opportunity for those with innovative products to make their dreams a reality, according to a press release.

"The Next Big Thing has proven to be a high profile vehicle for introducing new home or gift products to a large audience," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. "Finalists meet retailers from throughout the world and many have gone on to great success. Our marketplace welcomes fresh, innovative products through the contest and from all of our exhibiting companies."

The Next Big Thing allows three contest finalists, whether companies or individuals, to show their product in front of domestic and international retail buyers at Dallas Market Center. Products should be new and unique and cannot have been shown in retail or wholesale prior to January 2012. Products can be gift, gadget, or home items.

The finished product should be "distinctive with an outstanding design and concept." Applications can be downloaded at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contests/thing. Entries should be submitted via email to thenextbigthing@mcmcmail.com or mailed to The Next Big Thing; c/o Dallas Market Center; 2100 Stemmons Freeway, MS 630; Dallas, Texas; 75207, no later than April 8.

The three finalists will be selected by a panel of industry experts as well as Dallas Market Center representatives and announced on April 24. The finalists will receive airfare and hotel for the Dallas Temp Show to show their product in a complimentary, custom exhibit space.

Judges from consumer and trade media as well as industry experts 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/finalist on the Dallas Market Center Facebook page. The winner will be selected based on a combination of judges' feedback and popular vote.

The Next Big Thing winner will be announced on Saturday, 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 Total Home & Gift Market in January 2014, a profile in Dallas Market Center's award-winning custom publication and consultations from industry experts regarding branding, marketing, public relations, visual merchandising and more.