FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE® CHICAGO RANKED

ONE OF THE BEST FINE ART SHOWS BY SUNSHINE ARTIST MAGAZINE

CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2004) — The One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago, which showcases the best in fine art and fine craft including glass, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, wearable art and furniture, has been rated one of Sunshine Artist magazine’s 2004 “100 Best Predominantly Fine Art & Design Shows.” The One of a Kind Show is produced and managed by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) with Amdur Productions consulting.

“We are pleased with our ranking in the September 2004 issue of Sunshine Artist magazine,” said Lisa Simonian, marketing director, One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago, MMPI. “Sunshine Artist is the standard in fine art and fine craft and we believe that this recognition among the many other outstanding shows will encourage both artists and visitors to seek out our exclusive niche in the art festival arena.”

For more than 25 years, Sunshine Artist has built a solid reputation of reliability, accuracy and impartiality. It is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive art and craft show publication in the United States where readers turn each month to evaluate show performance, plan their schedules and select products to help build their businesses.

The One of a Kind Show has developed a loyal and growing following of approximately 25,000 design-savvy consumers eager to purchase the unique items that cannot be found in any other venue. Scheduled during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year and featuring up to 350 fine artists, designers and craftspeople, the One of a Kind Show and Sale is an art event and buying opportunity not to be missed. Every item available is made by hand, one piece at a time, and is representative of the artists’ original work, not the work of mass-production studios.

SHOW LOCATION:

The Merchandise Mart, 8th Floor

DATES, TIMES

AND TICKET COSTS:

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004

One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago Preview Party to Benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital, 4–9 p.m. Tickets are $100 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773-880-4018. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Woman’s Board’s $6.5 million pledge to support Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Division of Neonatology.

“First Look” Preview Event 6–9 p.m. Admission to this event is included with $10 general ticket, which is good for all three days of the show. Ticket sales will also benefit the Woman’s Board’s $6.5 million pledge to support Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Division of Neonatology.

Friday, Dec. 3–Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004

Friday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

General admission ticket is $10 per person, $7 for seniors and students with a valid student I.D. Tickets are available on-site during show hours on the first floor. The admission ticket is good for all three days of the show. For more information about the show, visit www.merchandisemart.com/oneofakindshow or call 800.677.6278 [MART].

CONTACT:

Elizabeth D. Cooley

Public Relations Manager

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

Phone: 312.527.7555

E-mail: ecooley@mmart.com

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a 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, 350 North Orleans/Chicago Apparel 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 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.

Nationally recognized arts festival producer, Amy Amdur, president, Amdur Productions, directs 10 of the Chicago area’s best art fairs and festivals including Chicago’s Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago; Fountain Square Art Festival in Evanston, Port Clinton Art Festival in Highland Park, Promenade of Art in Arlington Heights, Cantigny Sculpture & Fine Arts Festival in Wheaton, Art Makers show in Long Grove, Lincolnshire Art Festival in Lincolnshire, Woodstock Fine Art Fair in Woodstock, Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival in Buffalo Grove and West End Art Festival in La Grange. Amdur's success in the development and direction of art festivals and cultural events demonstrates her knowledge of the industry and her commitment to bringing an audience to exhibiting artists.

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