CHICAGO (June 22, 2006)-The 38th annual NeoCon® World's Trade Fair, North America's largest conference and exhibition for interior design and facilities management at The Merchandise Mart Chicago, achieved increased attendance and earned rave reviews from exhibitors and attendees from around the world.

Total attendance for the NeoCon 2006 show was approximately 50,493, an increase of more than 15% from 2005. In addition, this year's NeoCon offered more products, more categories, and 50 more exhibitors than last year. Thousands of the latest and greatest interiors products from more than 1,200 exhibiting companies and permanent showrooms were displayed in more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.

"This year's event offered an amazing product mix from the best names in the business," said Mark Falanga, senior vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). "NeoCon World's Trade Fair - more than any other show - is the place exhibitors unveil their latest product introductions and discover the trends of tomorrow. On all fronts, NeoCon 2006 was a great success!"

Leaders from throughout the contract industry offered strong praise for NeoCon 2006 hosted at the world-famous Merchandise Mart from June 12-14, 2006:

"This is the best NeoCon in our history. The market is healthy and we have fabulous new product to introduce, in which sustainable standards are an integral part." Richard G. Haworth, chairman of the Board and CEO, Haworth, Inc.

"Each year NeoCon provides Steelcase an excellent platform to demonstrate our research, our thinking and our new products. It's an excellent venue for us to connect with our customers and clients." Jim Hackett, CEO, Steelcase, Inc.

"Traffic is higher than normal and we have more dealers here than ever. The fun for us is not just in the success of our products but also in the alliance of having all our partners together." Brian Walker, president and CEO, Herman Miller, Inc.

"Nowhere else do we see this multi-faceted concentration of high-energy expertise." Mark Nemschoff, president/CEO, Nemschoff, Inc.

"Phenomenal! There is a very positive attitude. Our new brand has been very well received by end-users, dealers and designers attending NeoCon. We relocated and expanded our showroom this year. Our traffic has at least doubled ... easily!" Jayson Philips, Director of Sales, Tayco, Toronto, ON, Canada

"This is our first time exhibiting at NeoCon. Master Plan Pro is a start-up company. We decided to exhibit at NeoCon because our marketing study and research told us that NeoCon World's Trade Fair has the most concentrated amount of interior designers and architects at the show." Sam Watkins, Business Development Manager, Master Plan Pro.

Attendees gave enthusiastic reviews of the speakers MMPI assembled for panel discussions and seminars. Every luncheon program and keynote event was sold out weeks in advance and there wasn't an empty seat to be found. The incredible line-up of keynote speakers included: world-famous designer Ron Arad; recent Interior Design 2005 Hall of Fame inductee Clive Wilkinson; and, Vicente Wolf, one of the 10 most influential designers as named by House Beautiful.

The Best of NeoCon Awards entries reached a record high with 332 products entered in 36 categories. Seventy-nine awards were distributed, including 12 Innovation Awards, 3 Editors' Choice Awards and a Best of Competition Award. The Furniture Systems Category took top prize as the Best of Competition with My Studio Environments, manufactured by Herman Miller, Inc. and designed by Douglas Ball. Sponsored by Contract Magazine, the Best of NeoCon jury is composed of 54 corporate, government and institutional facilities management executives, interior designers and architects who are responsible for selecting and buying furniture and furnishings for their specific organizations or clients. For a full list of Best of NeoCon winners go to www.contract-network.com .

Publications interested in obtaining images of the 2006 NeoCon World's Trade Fair may contact Shawn Kahle at skahle@mmart.com .

NeoCon World's Trade Fair 2007 will be held June 11-13, 2007 at The Merchandise Mart. For more information visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).

NeoCon World's Trade Fair is a registered trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).

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 tradeshows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center 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; the Boston Design Center in Boston; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.