USA KARATE SELECTS MAIN EVENT MERCHANDISE GROUP
TO OPERATE OFFICIAL ONLINE STORE
- Indianapolis-based company to also provide event merchandise sales support -
 
Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 11, 2011) – USA Karate announced today the selection of Main Event Merchandise Group to design and manage its official online store. Main Event will also provide merchandise sales services for all licensed event merchandise and USA Karate-branded merchandise at the 2011 USA National Karate Championships and U.S. Team Trials to be held in Arlington, TX, July 14-17.

The recently launched web site, www.usakaratestore.com, features a variety of officially licensed USA Karate products, including branded apparel. Additional items will be added to the store’s inventory in the coming months.  Main Event will also support USA Karate’s Official Equipment Supplier, Asian World of Martial Arts, with its own line of USA Karate licensed products.

"The demand for branded merchandise featuring our two new logos—one USA Karate and the other a joint mark featuring the U.S. Olympic Committee logo—required that we find a partner with NGB and Olympic experience," said Luke St. Onge, USA Karate’s CEO.  "Main Event brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our merchandise program, and we are excited to work with a company that is committed to growing this part of our business and who can also support our growing relationship with Asian World of Martial Arts."

Under terms of the multiyear agreement, Main Event will also handle some event merchandise retail operations at USA Karate signature events, including the upcoming USA National Karate Championships and U.S. Team Trials.

"Our entire team is very excited about the new relationship with USA Karate, " said Brian Fahle, CEO of Main Event Merchandise Group. "Every National Governing Body we work with has its own unique customers, events, and opportunities for growth.  To be aligned now with USA Karate and Asian World of Martial Arts allows us to again prove our flexibility and our desire to help our partners raise awareness and revenue in support of their athlete programs. "

About USA Karate
 USA-NKF is the National Governing Body for Karate in the United States under the authority of the USOC.  It is the largest karate organization in scope and vision, and is responsible for the selection of the official USA Junior and Senior Karate Teams.  A full medal sport in all major International Multi Sport Competitions including the Pan American Games and the World Games, Karate narrowly missed out on the vote for inclusion into the 2016 Olympic Games and will be considered again in 2013 for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.

About Main Event Merchandise Group
Main Event Merchandise Group, founded in 1996 and based in Indianapolis, Ind., is a nationally recognized merchandise company providing a full-service shop for logoed apparel, corporate merchandise, promotional products, licensing, sourcing, fulfillment, ecommerce and in-house production. Main Event has moved to the industry forefront by building long-term relationships and providing customized, detailed, timely solutions for all of its clients, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Indiana University, U.S. Figure Skating, Minor League Baseball and USA Gymnastics. Main Event’s innovative staff has more than 80 years of combined experience in the industry. Focused on utilizing the latest technology to oversee the entire merchandise process – planning, production, fulfillment – Main Event designs high-end, customized apparel and merchandise while staying on the cutting edge of market trends.

About Asian World of Martial Arts
Asian World of Martial Arts, Inc. is a family business serving the martial arts industry since 1972.  Recently moving into a new, larger facility, Asian World of Martial Arts is now able to stock more products, process orders faster and more efficiently, and provide enhanced customer service.

AWMA is the Official Equipment Supplier of USA Karate and has developed a reputation for being a trusted supplier of martial arts, boxing, and sporting goods equipment at competitive prices. AWMA has also developed the PROFORCE brand, which is AWMA'a exclusive product line.  Located in Philadelphia, Asian World of Martial Arts is also open 24/7 at www.awma.com.