2005 INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES MARKET™

CEREMONIES & EVENTS FACT SHEET

CHICAGO (August 4, 2005) – The 2005 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ is the only show in the United States exclusively dedicated to indoor/outdoor casual furnishings and accessories. The show will take place Sept. 14-17, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Show attendees will have access to a wide variety of social and networking events.

Following is a list of exciting ceremonies and events, as well as the introduction of a brand new Merchandising Excellence Award to debut at this year’s Market:

Ceremonies & Events:

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Merchandising Excellence Awards – New for 2005!

The Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR), Hearth & Home magazine and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) announce the Merchandising Excellence Awards to recognize distinction in booth and showroom presentation. The judging will take place in the morning, and the awards presentation will be held on the show floors in the afternoon. The winners of the Merchandising Excellence Awards will be officially recognized at the CFR Membership Breakfast–Manufacturer Leadership Awards, where they will share their successful visual merchandising secrets.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Design Excellence Awards Breakfast

8–8:30 a.m., LuxeHome– American International Tile, The Merchandise Mart,

Suite 134

Badges required for entry

Attendees are invited to support and recognize their colleagues in the casual furnishings industry by attending the presentation of the Design Excellence Award winners at a complimentary breakfast in American International Tile.

46th Annual Apollo Awards

6:30 p.m., Navy Pier Grand Ballroom

By invitation only

To celebrate the influential contributions made by industry icons, leading retailers in the single- and multi-store categories will be honored for their achievements. The ceremony also will recognize the Design Excellence "Best of Show" Award winner and the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

Friday, Sept. 16

CFR Membership Breakfast – Manufacturer Leadership Awards and Official Presentation of the First Annual Merchandising Excellence Awards

7:30–9 a.m., Wolf Point Ballroom, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 15th Floor

All retailers welcome

All members of the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFRA) are welcome to attend this breakfast hosted by MMPI. Manufacturers from the casual furnishings industry will be honored for their leadership and innovation. The winners of the very first Merchandising Excellence Awards also will be recognized and will share their successful visual merchandising secrets.

Annual Market Party

6–8 p.m., East Bank Club Rooftop Deck

Presenting Sponsors: Casual Living magazine, Brown Jordan International, Sunbrella and MMPI

Badges required for entry

This greatly anticipated evening of casual fun includes food, drinks and entertainment at the scenic East Bank Club Rooftop Deck. Attendees can relax and network with industry colleagues at the Annual Market Party.

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ is a trademark of MMPI.

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show, leasing 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, 350 W. Mart 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 and 7 W New York 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:

Natalie Campbell

Public Relations Associate

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

Phone: 312.527.7790

E-mail: ncampbell@mmart.com

Jackie Paulsen

Director of Public Relations

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

Phone: 312.527.5777

E-mail: jpaulsen@mmart.com