NYC & Company Welcomes 76 Of Nation's Top 100 Retailers During 99th Annual NRF Convention & Expo

NYC & COMPANY WELCOMES 76 OF NATION'S TOP 100 RETAILERS DURING 99TH ANNUAL NRF CONVENTION & EXPO AT JACOB K. JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER

More Than 17,500 Retailers and Suppliers to Attend Industry�s Most Comprehensive Educational Forum and Trade Show

More Than 14,200 Hotel Room Nights and $19.5 Million in Economic Impact To Be Generated

New York City (January 8, 2010) � NYC & Company, the City�s official marketing and tourism organization, today welcomed the arrival of the 99th annual NRF (National Retail Federation) Convention & Expo to New York City. In town starting this Sunday, January 10, through Wednesday, January 13, the four-day convention takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, bringing 17,500 people to the City and generating about 14,200 hotel room-nights at 18 City hotels. Seventy-six of the nation's top 100 retailers are expected to attend.

"During the typically slower month of January, the business that the NRF Convention & Expo brings to New York City is a boon�the show will generate an estimated $19.5 million in economic impact," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. "Delegates from around the world will stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, see our Broadway shows and take in our sights and attractions throughout New York City."

Recognized as retail's "Big Show," the industry's most comprehensive educational forum is an annual event for retailers from 62 countries. The show takes up 410,000 gross square feet of exhibit space at the Javits Center and includes the participation of 526 exhibiting companies.

"New York is the retail capital of the world, which is why NRF has hosted its annual convention here for nearly 100 years," said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. "After such a challenging year for our industry, we look forward to lighting up Times Square once again."

The NRF Convention & Expo features more than 100 educational sessions covering the industry's most relevant and forward-looking topics, as well as networking for every level of retail professional. The Expo is filled with solution providers offering state-of-the-art technologies and services. The Convention also highlights store design and planning in the NRF Design Studio, a dedicated offering of education, networking and ideas for retailers, store designers and visual merchandisers.

One highlight will be the Innovation Station, which is located on the Expo floor and is open during Expo Hall hours on Monday and Tuesday. The Innovation Station is where retailers can find everyday solutions to their biggest business challenges.

Next year NRF will celebrate its 100th annual convention in New York City at the Javits Center.

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.

About the National Retail Federation:

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution, including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services.

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For press inquiries please contact Chris Heywood at 212-484-5458 or cheywood@nycgo.com.