Textile group sees opportunity to raise awareness of textiles during the home furnishings market and generate international business for its members

HIGH POINT, N.C., March 18, 2009 – The International Textile Market Association (ITMA), producer of the Showtime™ fabric trade event held here each June and December, is sponsoring the International Buyers Center (IBC) at the Spring 2009 High Point Market.

According to Catherine Morsell, director of ITMA, the association’s motive is two-fold. “Our primary goal is to connect our members with the international buyers who want to shop for textiles while they are here in the world’s home for home furnishings, and we see this sponsorship as an ideal way to present fabrics, leathers and trims to buyers that travel to the High Point Market from around the world. It makes sense for us to raise awareness about Showtime among all of the Market’s constituents, including the international media in attendance.”

Says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, which operates the International Buyers Center, “We are extremely pleased to assist ITMA in meeting their market objectives this Spring. No other home furnishings market in the world offers the value High Point does, and we see the ability for buyers to augment their shopping experience as bringing even more value to the entire Market.”

During Market, ITMA plans to showcase its members’ in the International Buyers Center, and distribute directories and information about Showtime to the Market’s international guests who utilize the Center each day. The directories will include contact information for textile, leather and trim vendors that will be available during the High Point Market.

“While our ability to connect with an international audience is always important, we are particularly excited about the upcoming Spring Market, because in addition to the substantial numbers of international buyers that regularly shop the High Point Market, the Spring Market is designated as an International Buyer Program (IBP) event by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Commercial Service,” Morsell notes. “The additional delegations visiting High Point for the first time make this an ideal opportunity for our members.”

The International Buyers Center will be staffed by a concierge from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the High Point Market, April 25-30, and provides buyers with free coffee, continental breakfast and buffet lunch, as well as currency exchange, internet access, copy and fax machines, travel assistance, private meeting rooms, and a prayer and meditation room for people of all faiths. The center is located on the first floor of Showplace West on the Wrenn and High Street.

BACKGROUND

Showtime boasts the most extensive presentation of fabric, leather and trimmings in the Western Hemisphere. The 39th edition of the internationally acclaimed market takes place June 7-10, 2009.

More than 800 buying companies attend each Showtime event from industry segments that include:

ITMA’s sponsorship is assisted by Showtime marketing funds receives from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.

Further information about the International Buyer Center and the International Buyer Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service is available at www.highpointmarket.org

Further information about ITMA and Showtime is available at www.itmashowtime.com

Photography available on request.

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