NYC & Company Urges Residents to Go Local as New York City Addresses Harsh Economic Times

NYC & COMPANY URGES RESIDENTS TO �GO LOCAL� AS NEW YORK CITY ADDRESSES HARSH ECONOMIC TIMES

�As New York Gov. Paterson Formally Acknowledges Cancelled Vacations and Postponed Holidays, NYC NYC & Company�s Six-Week Initiative Offers a Solution by Helping Residents Explore One of the World�s Top Travel Destinations��Weekend of August 1 Highlighted Activities Across the Five Boroughs Include DanceBrazil at Central Park Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn: African Guitar Festival, and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival�

New York City (July 30, 2008) The importance of the �Go Local� campaign, recently launched by Mayor Bloomberg and NYC & Company, New York City�s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, was highlighted yesterday as Gov. David Paterson formally addressed New York City�s economic crisis, advising that New York�s financial condition will get worse before it gets better and that vacations for many New Yorkers� have been canceled or postponed. NYC & Company is today launching its second week of the six-week initiative, part of the �Go Local� campaign, designed to encourage local residents to discover the City�s five boroughs this summer. The NYC & Company campaign, which calls on residents to explore the incredible City they live in, advises how to get the most out of summer in the City with weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five boroughs. Additional campaign elements include print advertising, up-to-the-minute online information at nycgo.com and street teams deployed at nine locations throughout the City including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop in Brooklyn. �While many residents will be cutting back or postponing their summer travel plans altogether due to increased financial anxiety, through the �Go Local� campaign, our mission is to help New York City residents have a summer to remember filled with unique experiences that can only be enjoyed in New York City,� said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. �The people attracted to live and visit New York City are as diverse as the shopping, dining, entertainment and arts and cultural offerings throughout the five boroughs, and we encourage residents to not only explore these options, but to maximize the opportunities available only here in New York City to interact and socialize with some of the most interesting people in the world.� This week�s top highlight:Central Park SummerStage has a global reputation as one of the nation�s finest free performing arts festivals. On Friday, August 1, New Yorkers can start their weekend early in Central Park, where from 8pm�10pm DanceBrazil will feature traditional Brazilian dance and capoeira along with Latin rhythms, jazz, tap, and body percussion.Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:ManhattanOne of Manhattan�s liveliest neighborhoods���Harlem, is best appreciated at the weekend, and on Sundays visitors should be sure to visit The Studio Museum for Target Free Sundays. Admission to the Museum is free every Sunday between noon and 6pm, and free programs and events such as hands-on family workshops and theater performances are geared to a variety of audiences. For visitors looking to dine al fresco in Harlem, new restaurant Talay, serves Thai-Latin cuisine and offers indoor and outdoor seating close by the Hudson River. BrooklynThe First Saturday of every month, except September, the Brooklyn Museum offers an evening of free art and entertainment beginning at 5pm and remains open until 11pm, rather the usual 6pm Saturday closing. At Prospect Park Bandshell on Sunday, August 3, the annual Celebrate Brooklyn: African Guitar Festival will take place from 2- 9pm featuring a festival of food and clothing crafts as well as eclectic music from across the continent. QueensThroughout August 2 and 3, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, New York City�s annual sporting and multicultural event held on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, will provide audiences with traditional Chinese foods and performances. The festival, hosts over 120 dragon boat teams, making it one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the United States.Staten IslandOn show through August 31, the Tuscan Spring Fair at Snug Harbor Cultural Center is the first of its kind, arts and culture festival. The exhibit includes artisan creations from furniture to textiles, crafted glass to mechanical timepieces. Food and wine sampling specially prepared by a Tuscan chef will also be available along with cooking classes.The BronxOn Friday, August 1, from 10.30am, visitors to the Bronx can take a musical journey across the Andes Mountains and experience the rich cultural tapestry of South America with Music of the Andes: Yarina. The free performance will be held at Crotona Park and is aimed at all ages. Also free from 6-10pm, on Friday, August 1, in collaboration with the African Film Festival and Afrokinetic, The Bronx Museum presents an exciting First Fridays! program of outdoor film screenings and live performances.For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to nycgo.com

About NYC & CompanyNYC & 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.