New CVB Head Begins Term By Painting The Town Red

<B>New CVB Head Begins Term By Painting The Town Red</B>

By Robert Selwitz

Cristyne Lategano, the new president and CEO of NYC & Co., the parent organization of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau (Meetings Today, Nov. 15, 1999), is making one of her first moves in a first quarter promotional effort dubbed, "Paint the Town Red."

Since January through March is one of the city's weakest visitation periods, Lategano said, it's a great time to kick off a major league annual incentive. While the promotion features discounts on hotels, restaurants, shopping, theatre and other entertainment, Lategano noted that her somewhat cumbersome title reflects an expanded part of her work: to not just promote and market greater numbers of tourist visits and conventions, but to act as an advocate for long-term efforts, such as a bid for New York to host the 2012 summer Olympics.

Admitting that the real decision-makers about a possible Javits Center expansion are Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki, Lategano said she's determined to play a role in realizing the quest for a larger, more desirable meeting and exposition site. In particular, she pointed to a 'lost business report' covering the first half of 1999. During that period, she said, the city lost at least 14 major shows. Ideally, "we should be able to bid on events such as the National Republican Convention, which now requires arenas seating at least 50,000 attendees."

While a domed Manhattan stadium that also would house the New York Jets (who played in Queens before moving to New Jersey) would be a huge boon, she's also pleased by smaller additions to New York's offerings, including the new Metropolitan Pavilion that now offers 30,000 square feet of space in a former industrial site.

Meanwhile, other sources report that the UnConvention Center--located at West 55th Street and 12th Avenue--is expected to undertake a $50 million expansion to ready itself for more midsize trade shows. The work would boost capacity from the present 175,000 to 275,000 square feet. Of course, Lategano said, "having to cope with size constraints must be considered a good problem. Not so long ago, few groups wanted to come here for fear of endangering their members. That makes today's 'problems' pale by comparison."

Another bit of good--if somewhat distant--news was the recent announcement that the Governor and Mayor had agreed to include a new meeting center in their plans for a recently de-federalized Governor's Island.

Occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard from 1755 to 1996, the island--in the midst of New York Harbor--now is being scrutinized for ways to preserve its heritage while generating some revenue. The agreed-upon plan calls for the construction of a moderate-size hotel and the conversion of some of the island's larger, historic structures into a conference center.

Visitors won't be the only people benefiting from New York's new Paint the Town Red promotion. In addition to restaurant, theater, museum and retail discounts between Jan. 7 and Feb. 29 (and in some cases extending through March), a number of Gotham hotels are offering appealing lodging discounts.

More than three dozen properties are participating (see chart, this page), offering room price breaks. Discounts and durations, however, vary greatly, with some properties offering them throughout the week, while others only feature bargains on weekends.

Nevertheless, for those using an American Express Card to settle their lodging bills, Nell Barrett, New York CVB spokesperson, said, "this is a great chance for business travelers to stretch their hotel dollars, try a new property or location, or start or end a business trip with a relaxing and/or exciting Manhattan weekend.