DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2002

Less than a month before the 12th Annual Electronic Retailing Association Conference and Exposition opens on October 13, 2002 in Las Vegas, the trade show exposition has reached full capacity.

The ERA Exposition will feature over 140 suppliers representing the latest in electronic retailing, direct response television and radio production, technology, international distribution and media. Thirty companies are first-time exhibitors including 18 international, up dramatically from years past.

"This is the first time we've completely sold out of booth space," notes Elissa Matulis Myers, Electronic Retailing Association CEO. "It's a testament to the continued phenomenal growth of electronic direct response marketing and our role at the forefront of the industry."

A highlight of the ERA Exposition will be the ERA New Product Showcase, sponsored by HSN. Nearly 50 never-seen-before products, pre-qualified during ERA's series of "How to Market Your Product or Invention" seminar series will be showcased for the first time. "This is an ideal opportunity to meet new inventors and get a glance at the newest and hottest products soon to hit the market," adds Myers.

The ERA Exhibition floor will also see the additions of the Producers Studio, sponsored by Adcomm Advertising, the International Center, sponsored by BJ Global Direct and the prestigious Champion Circle Club Lounge sponsored by InfoWorx, Quest Membership Services, DPI Merchant Services, Media Group and Fosdick Fulfillment Corp.

World-Renowned Retail and Marketing Experts to Speak

The 12th Annual Electronic Retailing Association Conference and Exposition education sessions feature a series of renowned speakers and topics to complement this year's theme, "Knowledge is Power."

-- CNN broadcasting icon Larry King will bring the "ERA version" of Larry King Live to the conference on Monday, October 14th as the keynote speaker. In a mock broadcast, complete with full set, King will interview direct response industry icons to get the real story on what the future holds for electronic retailing.

-- John Stones, COO of The Aftermarket Company guides a panel of industry experts in a lively discussion about the challenges and opportunities of upselling, down selling and continuity offers.

-- Get in Touch with Your Feminine $ide. Tim Hawthorne of hawthorne direct inc leads a panel exploring the trends that are affecting the way companies market to women.

-- Writing a Killer Script in Just 60 Minutes. See how a simple idea can become a million-dollar script in less than an hour as a team of top creative and production experts write a 120-second spot, live on a giant TV screen, in real time.

Annual ERA Awards to be Presented

Comedian Paul Rodriguez will host the ERA Awards Extravaganza on Tuesday, October 15. This prestigious annual awards competition honors best of retail direct response and DRTV advertising in categories including: Infomercial of the Year, Best Shopping Channel Host, Best Celebrity Presenter, Best DRTV Web Site Design and many more.

Award show celebrity presenters include Lindsay Wagner, Hunter Tylo, Jennifer O'Neill, Fred Williamson, Meredith Baxter, Jack LaLanne, Gary Collins, and Mary Anne Mobley. Ernst & Young will handle the ballots ensuring the winners will be kept secret until they are announced on stage.

About The 12th Annual ERA Conference & Exhibition, Paris, Las Vegas

A complete conference agenda is available at: http://www.retailing.org/meetings/annualagenda02.html

Full registration fees for ERA 2002 are $895 for ERA Members and $1,695 for Non-Members. For more information, call ERA at 800-987-6462 or visit www.retailing.org. Expo only passes are available and registration is possible on-site beginning on Saturday, October 12th.

Founded in 1990, the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is a trade association representing the $125 billion electronic retailing industry. It is comprised of more than 450 member companies and subsidiaries worldwide that use the power of electronic retailing to sell direct to consumers via television, radio, Internet, and wireless media. The ERA Annual Conference & Exposition held in Las Vegas each October is the only trade show and exhibition devoted exclusively to electronic direct response retail sales. More information is available at 703-841-1751 or 1-800-987-6462 or online at www.retailing.org.

Attention Editors: Complimentary press credentials are available. To get yours, call Jill McBride at 513-231-5115 or register online at www.retailing.org/communications/pressroom.html.