MAKE IT NYC IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITYS TRENDIEST MEETINGS DESTINATION

1/5/17


MAKE IT NYC IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY’S TRENDIEST MEETINGS DESTINATION



—Brooklyn’s Vibrant Venues and New Meeting Spaces Offer Planners A True Locals Experience at an Unbeatable Value— 



New York City (January 5, 2017) — NYC & Company, New York City’s destination marketing organization, invites meeting planners and attendees to discover why Brooklyn is one of NYC’s most popular destinations for meetings and events. With new hotel developments, expansive meeting spaces, world-class event venues and multiple transportation options, Brooklyn is fast becoming an attractive option for meeting planners looking to offer attendees an authentic New York City experience—all without breaking the bank.
 
“Brooklyn’s popularity has resonated more in recent years with meeting planners thanks to global hotel brands investing in the borough’s meetings industry, the borough’s lively culture and its appeal to a new generation of attendees,” said Jerry Cito, Senior Vice President of Convention Development. “With these new developments, along with unique venues and easy transportation access to Manhattan by subway and ferry, we are inviting planners to see why more people are choosing to Make It NYC in Brooklyn.”

Hotels and Meeting Spaces
Located just minutes from Manhattan, Brooklyn has seen tremendous growth in its hotel and meeting space offerings, with more than 28 hotels in the pipeline. By 2019, the borough is expected to be home to more than 3,500 hotel rooms. Some of the latest hotels that have opened in the borough include the wellness-oriented Even Hotel and boutique-brand Hotel Indigo Brooklyn (of the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts family) in Downtown Brooklyn, as well as the Dazzler Brooklyn in Brooklyn Heights, the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg and the Hilton Brooklyn New York in Boerum Hill, which is Hilton’s first name-brand property in the area.



Among the newest hotels with expansive meeting space set to open in February 2017 is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Heights, the 1 Hotels brand’s second property in New York City. Located along the picturesque Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront, the new hotel will feature 194 guest rooms and suites, a 3,475-square-foot rooftop venue, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a 50-person screening room. Each room will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as mahogany trees and nature-inspired décor throughout the property.



Last summer, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn completed a $45 million transformation. The renovation included the hotel’s 667 guest rooms and suites, the debut of a new contemporary lobby featuring the M Club Lounge and The Bar with its locally made specialties, and the modernization of the hotel’s more than 40,000 square feet of banquet and meeting spaces.



Also this past summer, the new William Vale debuted in Williamsburg, overlooking the Manhattan skyline with 183 rooms, a 15,000 square-foot public green space called Vale Park and a 4,1000 square-foot ballroom. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline from its 22-story rooftop bar venue Westlight and the longest hotel pool in New York City at 60 feet, the hotel is a one-of-a-kind property in New York City.

Event Venues
Recognized globally as a premiere destination for large-scale events, such as the upcoming Formula E Championship New York City ePrix this July, Brooklyn offers planners a multitude of options that combine the borough’s local flavor along with one-of-a-kind event venues.

Home to the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders, Barclays Center is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn that hosts a variety of events, including premier concerts, major professional boxing cards, top college basketball and family shows. Featuring 101 luxury suites, four clubs, and the 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express, the venue is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road and 11 bus lines. Major events have included the MTV Video Music Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 2015 NBA All-Star weekend, and four NBA Drafts.



The Brooklyn EXPO Center in Greenpoint is another option for planners looking for large spaces, with 60,000 square feet of event space that is great for design shows, tech expos and product launches. 



Along the Brooklyn Navy Yard waterfront overlooking the East River, the Duggal Greenhouse is an historic event venue that was once used to build ships. It features 70-foot ceilings, 35,000 square feet of space and can hold up to 3,000 attendees; it was also home to one of last year’s Democratic presidential primary debates. Also in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, BLDG92 honors the history and innovation of this unique site, complete with a naturally-lit event space, an expansive terrace and an open-air atrium, all perfect for an event or offsite meeting.



When the weather warms up, planners have even more event venue options and entertainment to choose from for their clients. The newly opened 5,000 seat Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island is Brooklyn’s latest entertainment venue, featuring outdoor concerts in the summer and indoor entertainment space in the winter, as well as VIP areas for groups. Also in Coney Island, MCU Park is a multipurpose event venue that is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team, featuring their Party Deck that can hold 150 people, as well as several luxury suites. Golfing can be a great team building activity, and Brooklyn’s Dyker Beach and Marine Park golf courses have planners covered, with event spaces and expansive putting greens. 



Brooklyn’s rich cultural and historical institutions offer event venue spaces of all sizes, providing unique experiences that are authentically Brooklyn. The recently renovated Kings Theatre in Flatbush, the historical bank-turned-venue Weylin in Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Fort Greene, and the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Prospect Heights are just some of the great options that are easily accessible by the City’s subway system.



Dining & Shopping
Attendees looking to taste their way around Brooklyn can visit the borough’s most renowned eateries, some which also offer event space. Must-sees for attendees include Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery in Downtown Brooklyn, the 130-year-old Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg, local spirits and brews from Brooklyn Winery and Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg, and a classic New York pizza at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in the Fulton Ferry District.



Those looking for nearby shopping can head to City Point in Downtown Brooklyn, which is the borough’s newest and largest food, shopping, and entertainment destination. The complex is home to name-brand stores like Century 21 and Target, as well as the 8-screen Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Debuting later this year, the DeKalb Market Hall at City Point will be one of the largest food halls in the City at 35,000 square feet.

For more information on planning a meeting or event in Brooklyn, visit nycgo.com/makeitnyc.To contact a member of NYC & Company’s Destination Services team, visit nycandcompany.org/destinationservices.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official destination marketing organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nycgo.com.



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          Contact: NYC & Company / Christopher Heywood 212-484-1270



                                             Sean Altberger 212-484-5412