NYC & Company Welcomes 2,500 Dogs To NYC For The Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show

NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES 2,500 DOGS TO NEW YORK CITY FOR THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 134TH ANNUAL DOG SHOW

-America's First and Only Champions-Only Dog Show Takes Place February 15–16 at Madison Square Garden-

-Famed Annual Event Spotlights City as Popular Dog-Friendly Destination-

New York City (February 12, 2010) — NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, today welcomed next week's arrival of the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show to Manhattan. The show, recognized as the second oldest continuous sporting event in America, behind only the Kentucky Derby, takes place February 15–16 at Madison Square Garden. The dog show, limited to 2,500 entrants, brings in thousands of people into the City.

"Recognized as the oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs, the Westminster Kennel Club spotlights the City's popularity as a year-round dog-friendly destination for visitors," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. "We're excited to welcome the show back to Manhattan, along with all the four-legged and two-legged guests that it brings."

"Westminster is a New York tradition," said David Frei, television cohost of the show for the last 20 years. "Since 1877 the Westminster Kennel Club has gathered the world's greatest dogs on the world's greatest stage, Madison Square Garden. As the number one media capital, NYC offers the opportunity to share with the world what Westminster is all about—a celebration of the dogs in our lives."

The City's hotels have rolled out the red carpet to welcome the many guests—with their four-legged celebrities in tow. The InterContinental Barclay Hotel is celebrating its reversal of its no-pet policy by welcoming the first beagle, Uno, to win best in show at Westminster, in 2008. The hotel will offer a "Royal Pooch" package, starting at $295 per night, which waives the $25-per-night pet fee and includes organic dog biscuits, a Bow Wow Bag (a cinched tote that attaches to a dog's leash for accessibility while walking) and a Rubby Buddy pet massager. In-room amenities include a Wetnoz Metro Duo dual bowl feeder and Bolt interactive laser toy. Dogs must weigh 70 pounds or less; a $100 security deposit is required.

The New Yorker Hotel will open its doors to an estimated 200 canine guests, and their owners, during the show. Located near Madison Square Garden, the hotel will accommodate up to two domesticated dogs or cats per room, not to exceed 45 pounds each (though the weight limit is waived during the dog show). Dogs must be vaccinated and flea-free. A general cleaning fee of $100 will be added for each room.

Directly across the street from Madison Square Garden, the Hotel Pennsylvania is touting itself as the "five paw" hotel for Westminster VIPs ("Very Important Pooches"). As the host location for the show, Hotel Pennsylvania will host a live pre-show broadcast feed from the hotel lobby, together with the Westminster Kennel Club. The Green Room Salon & S'paw' will offer various amenities to pamper pooches, such as a bathing/beauty parlor/salon, a dog grooming/comfort station, an exercise area and his-and-hers relieving areas. The Dog-tor's Corner will offer a canine masseuse and animal communicator. A Doggie Concierge will be on hand to handle individual canine needs. The Paw Mall, located at the Dog S'paw', will feature the latest toys and accessories for owners and their pets. The hotel, which has no limit on the weight of dogs it accepts, welcomes dogs year-round.

USA Network and CNBC will air exclusive live coverage of the show from Madison Square Garden on Monday, February 15, and USA Network will air exclusive live coverage on Tuesday, February 16. Coverage for both nights will begin at 8pm EST.

The prestigious Westminster Dog Show has been held every year despite power shortages, hazardous weather conditions and adverse economic times.

About NYC & Company: NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership 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 more information on visiting the destination, go to nycgo.com.

About the Westminster Kennel Club: The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York's Madison Square Garden. The show is America’s second longest continuously held sporting event. For more information, go to westminsterkennelclub.org.

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For more information please contact Chris Heywood at 212-484-1270 or cheywood@nycgo.com.