EXHIBIT FLOOR TO RETURN AT JULY VSDA SHOW

LIZA CASABONA

ENCINO, Calif. -- The Video Software Dealers Association here said it will reintroduce an exhibit floor at the VSDA Home Entertainment 2004 show. The event, which is now structured around meetings in hotel suites, will take place July 14 through 16 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

VSDA had stopped incorporating a show floor two years ago in favor of the suite meeting format, said Andrew Mun, manager of public affairs for the organization. The reintroduction comes on the heels of requests from some show attendees, primarily non-programming participants and smaller studios that don't hold suite meetings.

"The exhibit floor offers a less formal surrounding where attendees can still make quality business contacts," said Mun.

The format change is unlikely to affect attendance of supermarket retailers, said one video executive with a Midwestern chain who declined to be named. In particular, the change will not affect the big chain retailers.

"I never thought you needed any of the stuff that is on the show floor. All you need is the meeting rooms; that's where the business gets done. Beyond that, it makes little difference to me."

The exhibit floor, which usually features smaller, independent studios and other peripheral vendors, is more helpful for smaller video retailers, he added.

The show floor offers expanded opportunities for new companies and non-programming suppliers, who favor the exhibit format, said Bo Anderson, VSDA president, in a prepared statement.

The event evolved from a larger, glitzier show to the smaller format over a number of years in response to attendance numbers and other industry factors. Reintroducing the older format -- while maintaining the smaller, intimate business appointments -- gives show attendees the best of both worlds, Anderson said.

Mun added, "We feel this format will appeal to attendees because it addresses their needs from multiple angles. They can have meetings with content providers and others in the suites, and then peruse the floor and meet other contacts that they don't know [and] who can meet their other needs."

Top 10 Supermarket Video Rental Titles

RANK, Last Week: Title (Weeks Out)

1,1. Radio (1), Columbia

2,N. Secondhand Lions, Buena Vista

3,2. Open Range (2), Buena Vista

4,N. Under the Tuscan Sun, Buena Vista

5,3. Once Upon a Time In Mexico (2), Columbia

6,N. Lost in Translation, Universal

7,7. My Boss's Daughter (3), Buena Vista

8,4. Cabin Fever (2), Lion's Gate

9,5. Out of Time (4), MGM

10, N. The Fighting Temptations, Paramount

N = New

As of Feb. 8, 2004

This chart, tailored for the supermarket video market, is based on information taken from more than 1,000 supermarket rental locations serviced by Ingram Entertainment, La Vergne, Tenn.