Media Contact:  Jennifer McGuire, 212/484-1276

http://www.nycvisit.com MAKING 'NET HISTORY WITH FIRST EVER JAVA SCRATCH OFF
CONTEST

        NEW YORK, NY -- nycvisit.com the official tourism Web Site of the New York
Convention & Visitors Bureau, has just been launched and is already making
Internet history.

        Gamelan, the premier java web resource, selected nycvisit.com in its
"What's Cool" category for the "World's First Java Scratch-Off Contest." The
site's Weekend in New York contest lets visitors use an on-line lottery
scratch off ticket -- the first-ever, java-programmed, Web-based, scratch
off entry form in web history -- to win a weekend for two at the New York
Hilton.  These cyber reviewers were so excited that they even added "Neat!"
and "Try It" to their accolades.

        nycvisit.com's eight interactive areas feature more than 200 pages of NYC
information including:

-       What's New in New York, all about new hot spots and trends
-       a comprehensive ongoing calendar of events, searchable by date and type
-       Where to Stay and Where to Eat areas, searchable by location and price
-       sample itineraries ranging from children's activities to romantic weekends
-       comprehensive transportation information
-       attraction and museum listings

        Incentive planners, tour operators, travel agents and meeting planners will
find information on the NYCVB's special services for trade professionals and
directly request assistance or information.

        In addition, the "Image Bank" offers the most requested images of New York,
including the Statue of Liberty and skyline, that can be downloaded for use
in brochures and other marketing materials.

        Cyber travelers can also use nycvisit.com's direct links to New York
State's, the Mayor's and many NYC sites in the NYCNET web site directory for
more information. nycvisit.com is accessible from all primary search vehicles.

              The New York Convention & Visitors Bureau Web Site was
designed and programmed by Smith Renaud, Inc. (http://www.sri.net). Smith
Renaud, one of the premier architects of advanced internet sites, provided a
thorough analysis of potential opportunities for NYCVB and managed the full
implementation and strategy of the nycvisit.com Site.


        Questions and comments can be sent to Webmaster Diminnie at
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