---

Coconino's AdHaTTeRs Steals the Show in Las Vegas

17 November 1997

Coconino's AdHaTTeRs Steals the Show in Las Vegas

    CENTENNIAL PARK, Ariz., Nov. 17 -- AdHaTTeRs, Inc., a
subsidiary of Coconino SMA, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CSMA), reported a
tremendous reception of its air freshener products at the Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Thousands
of exhibitors and upwards of 100,000 buyers from around the world attended the
show during the first week of November.
    Company representatives report that the AdHaTTeRs booth, ideally situated
in the main exhibition hall, was nearly overrun with attendees; many had to
return several times to gain entrance to the booth.
    "The AAIW show proved to be a breakthrough for AdHaTTeRs in terms of
exposure and enthusiasm for our products," said David Timpson, AdHaTTeRs'
president.  "We were literally overwhelmed with hundreds of attendees, mostly
purchasing agents and buyers, who wanted samples of our products.  Many made
major orders on the spot."
    AdHaTTeRs sales and marketing personnel, donning attractive AdHaTTerRs
logo-ed shirts, were greeted throughout the venue by other exhibitors who
offered congratulations on being the "Hit of the Show."  One exhibitor
remarked, "I don't know where you guys have your think tank, but your products
are amazing.  Keep it up."
    Of the 10 products and 46 items displayed by AdHaTTeRs, the newly
introduced scented Dream Catcher stirred the most excitement.  "This unique
Native American art piece, with a scented Kokapeli medallion, was a huge hit,"
said Timpson.  "It caught the eye of everyone who saw it, including an
automotive senior buyer for Wal-Mart."
    The profit potential of this new item was not to be lost in the crowd of
buyers: CSK Auto, with 700 stores, is interested in adding the Dream Catcher
to the list of other AdHaTTeRs products it carries.
    Unscented Dream Catchers are already very popular, and many buyers at the
show said that the scented Dream Catcher from AdHaTTeRs should do even better.
A major distributor for both AdHaTTeRs and other third-party unscented Dream
Catchers predicted that this product alone would double AdHaTTeRs' annual
sales.
    Representatives of Car Freshner Corporation, the "little tree company,"
spent considerable time at the booth.  As previously announced, the growing
relationship between Car Freshner Corporation and AdHaTTeRs is expected to
lead to a major distribution program with this industry leader. (Privately
held Car Freshner sales are reported to exceed 250 million units annually.)
    Though the AAIW trade show was not intended to be a sales show, thousands
of dollars in orders were taken at the booth.  As a result of the trade show,
Timpson reported that hundreds of thousands of unit orders from new accounts
are anticipated within the coming months.
    AdHaTTeRs' new display units, including the free standing floor display,
power wing display, and the counter display were also well received at the
show.  These innovative display formats are important to securing and
maintaining large accounts.
    The company also introduced many improvements to its product line at the
show, including a more detailed and refined cowboy boot.  The new version is
hollow like a real boot, and the new production mold reduces costs, increasing
profit margins by 50%.  It also expands marketing opportunities for
exploitation of this design.
    The AAIW trade show combined the trade shows of the Specialty Equipment
Manufacturers Association and the Automotive Parts and Accessories Association
into the world's largest automotive trade show.  The National Tire Dealers &
Retreaders Association also held their annual trade show in conjunction with
the AAIW event.
    Coconino SMA is a diversified company involved in the consumer products
and services and natural resource industries through four subsidiaries:
AdHaTTeRs manufactures and markets unique air fresheners in the form of cowboy
hats and boots, ski caps, baseball caps, angel replicas, and the newly
introduced "Dream Catcher."  Coconino Oil & Gas has an interest in a
productive oil well in northeastern Utah.  Enviro-Tec owns and operates a
class D Type II disposal well, also in northeastern Utah.  And LPS, Ltd.
specializes in financial education, debt consolidation and repayment
acceleration, and wholesale mortgage banking.
    Safe Harbor Act Disclaimer: This release may contain forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without
limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products and services,
increased levels of competition, new products and technological changes, the
company's dependence upon financing, third-party suppliers and intellectual
property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's
federal filings, annual report, offering memorandum, or prospectus.

SOURCE  Coconino SMA, Inc.