SGMA Selects True North to Manage PR for Spring Market

WASHINGTON, DC. – October 10, 2006 – The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association has selected True North Brand Group, Inc., Hingham, Ma., to oversee public relations efforts for SGMA Spring Market.

SGMA Spring Market is a focused industry event that provides manufacturers direct access to specialty and trendsetting retailers, independent, regional and small retailers, as well as team dealers. SGMA Spring Market is an opportunity for those retailers to see athletic footwear, performance apparel, team apparel and equipment, and fitness equipment and accessories—all under one roof. Leading brands such as Asics, New Balance, Franklin, Under Armour, Everlast and Riddell are just some of the big name brands that have already committed to the event.

“True North Brand Group brings great depth and talent to the SGMA Spring Market. SGMA and our member brands have had very positive results working on a number of joint media events, and we are very confident True North will deliver unparalleled media coverage for companies exhibiting at SGMA Spring Market,” expressed SGMA President and CEO Tom Cove. “We look forward to leveraging True North’s breadth of experience across industry segments and among leading consumer media.”

SGMA Spring Market is scheduled for June 11-13, 2007 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to the trade show, SGMA Spring Market will also host an aggressive conference schedule including the ELITE Running Specialty Store Conference produced by The SportsOneSource Group.

“There is a void in the industry that needs to be filled and SGMA Spring Market fills that void,” said Mark Tedeschi, president of True North Brand Group, Inc., “We are thrilled to be a part of the team and to help spread the word about this much needed industry event.”

True North will work hand in hand with SGMA and Universal Event Management, Braintree, MA, which is responsible for all sales, marketing, programming and show logistics.

For more information on SGMA Spring Market, please visit www.sgmamarkets.com.

True North Brand Group, Inc., is a full service public relations, marketing and strategic planning company based in Hingham, Mass. specializing in performance products for the outdoor, athletic and fitness markets. For more information about True North Brand Group, Inc., please visit http://www.truenorthpr.com

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SGMA Spring Market is a focused sporting goods industry event showcasing full lines of footwear, performance apparel, equipment and accessories for fitness, running, spring team sports and licensed products. SGMA Spring Market brings together the industry’s leading brands, specialty, independent and trendsetting retailers, and team dealers—all under one roof. The event also provides sporting goods industry professionals with in-depth educational training. SGMA Spring Market is presented by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), and is managed and produced by Universal Event Management. For more information on the event, please visit www.sgmamarkets.com.