FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 235-04 September 02, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 235-04
September 02, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION AND PARKS & RECREATION TO RECEIVE EQUIPMENT FROM REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Nextel, Cisco, IBM and Chrysler Donate Technology and Energy-Efficient

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, Nextel Communications Inc. President & CEO Tim Donahue, and IBM Vice President of Government Programs Christopher Caine announced today that New York City Public Schools and City social services will benefit from the desktop and laptops computers, telephones and their supporting networks, and cellular phones that were provided to New York City Host Committee 2004, the not-for-profit entity established for the purpose of supporting the 2004 National Republican Convention. Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe also joined the Mayor for the announcement that the City’s Parks Department will receive twenty energy efficient vehicles from Daimler Chrysler, which made these cars available to the Host Committee to use for Convention purposes. Added together, the computers, phones and accompanying technologies total more than $5 million – IBM computers and accessories total more than $1 million; Cisco phones and their technologies more than $4 million; Nextel phones total $120,000. The 20 energy efficient cars total $150,000.

“New York City’s public schools and the Department of Parks & Recreation will benefit immensely from the Republican National Convention,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Because of the generosity of these good corporate citizens, City public school children and school administration officials can now count on instant and reliable technology. In addition, these energy efficient vehicles will further our commitment to the support of environmentally healthy and friendly technology in our parks. These emission-free vehicles will be of great assistance to the Parks Department, while improving air quality, and occupational health and safety. These generous donations demonstrate that there is broad support for New York from industry leaders, and that with their invaluable assistance, New York City can strive to be a City that can successfully host big events and big ideas.”

“The overwhelming support of both the private sector and the general public is a resounding vote of confidence in the reforms taking place under Children First,” said Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein. “We are making a real, profound, and beneficial impact on the way our children learn and individuals, organizations, and businesses, both in our City and outside the five boroughs, are seeking to get involved. Simply put, people want to join our effort to transform our public schools and finally provide our students with the education they need and deserve. I want to thank everyone here today for their contributions and encourage people throughout the City and beyond to do their part - after all, it's for our children, the future leaders of our City, country, and world.”

Nextel Communications Inc., the Official Wireless Service Provider of the 2004 Republican National Convention, will donate the 1,200 wireless phones provided to the Convention for use by Department of Education staff to improve and maintain communication on school related operations.

“Nextel is deeply committed to New York City and to providing wireless communication solutions that improve both learning and productivity in educational institutions,” said Nextel President & CEO Tim Donahue. “We’re thrilled to support both of these goals by donating Nextel wireless phones to Mayor Bloomberg and New York City Public Schools.”

IBM provided the NYC Host Committee 2004 with 540 desktop computers, 111 laptops, 44 printers, 27 servers and related accessories with a value of more than $1 million. The IBM equipment was used at 2 Penn Plaza for staff operations, in Madison Square Garden for running and producing the convention, the James A. Farley Post Office Building to support the convention’s media center, and the NYC Host Committee 2004 Volunteer Office for recruiting and training volunteers.

“IBM is pleased to provide technology support to NYC Host Committee 2004 for the Republican National Convention,” said IBM Vice President of Government Programs Christopher Caine. “From the beginning, IBM planned to provide the equipment for the long term use of New Yorkers and New York City as part of IBM’s ongoing community programs in education. This equipment - IBM desktop computers, ThinkPad laptops, servers and printers - will be used to improve access to technology in a range of New York City public schools as well as to increase access to social services. This could not have been achieved without the strong partnership of the City and State of New York, and we thank Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg for their support.”

Cisco’s donation consists of networking hardware which performed a critical role at the NYC Host Committee 2004 offices. Cisco and IBM donated service hours to engineer, install, and support their technologies.

As a result of Daimler Chrysler’s donation of 20 Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) to the NYC Host Committee 2004, Parks & Recreation will receive energy efficient vehicles that are neighborhood friendly with a top speed of 35 mph. GEMs are in use today throughout the City parks system; in November 2003, 248 GEM carts were donated by Daimler Chrysler for maintenance and to assist operations personnel with moving crews and equipment from site to site, to perform large park inspections, and to allow staff to drive between small parks and playgrounds within their districts. GEMS are less noisy than full-sized vehicles; they don’t emit atmospheric pollution, carbon monoxide or particulate matter; and they are ideal for City Parks because they allow City officials to reduce the reliance on large trucks.

“Without noise or emitting atmospheric pollution, GEM vehicles are helping us to maintain parks and improve the over-all quality of life for New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Benepe. “GEMs are perfect for parks because they allow us to reduce the number of larger trucks on pathways, which help keep parks safer. Our maintenance and operation staff-use GEMs to move crews and equipment from site to site, to perform large park inspections, and to allow staff to drive between small parks and playgrounds within their districts. This generous donation will help to keep our City parks clean and safe.”

CONTACT:
Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk (212) 788-2958
Paul Elliott (Host Committee) (212) 630-8081
Jerry Russo (Education) (212) 374-5141
Megan Sheekey (Parks) (212) 360-1311
Diane Rainey (Nextel Communications) (914) 407-7282
Clint Roswell (IBM) (914) 499-4045
John Earnhardt (Cisco) (408) 527-2180

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 236-04 September 03, 2004

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding Daniel L. Doctoroff, New York City Host Committee 2004 President Kevin Sheekey, and NYC & Company President & Chief Executive Officer Cristyne L. Nicholas today announced the estimated economic impact of the Republican National Convention on New York City’s economy. Preliminary data indicates that the convention generated a gross gain of $341 million in economic activity. At the same time, the City experienced an $86 million loss due to disruptions caused by the convention, creating a net positive estimated economic impact on New York City’s economy of $255 million.

“The Convention offered us a terrific opportunity to showcase New York City to visitors from across the country and promote tourism to the ‘World’s Second Home’,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We showed the world that New York City is safe and open for business, and we are pleased with the overall economic activity generated by the convention. This convention proved that New York City has recovered from the tragedy of three years ago. No other city could host, all at one time, not only a political convention, but also the U.S. Tennis Open, the most highly attended sporting event in the world, home series for two major league baseball teams, hundreds of thousands of political activists exercising their first amendment rights, and have local residents go about their lives with as little disruption as possible.”

“New York City is simply the standard bearer for hosting big events and people from all over the world will continue to flock here to experience what the City has to offer,” said New York City Host Committee 2004 President Kevin Sheekey. “We’ve entered into an era where the list of cities that can hold an event of this size has changed dramatically; what were once 30 or 40 cities is now just a handful. We’re extraordinarily proud that delegates, media and protestors were accommodated here and were able to enjoy and express themselves in the process.”
“In addition to the immediate boost from direct spending on the convention, success gained by hosting the RNC will be reflected in the City’s economy for many year’s to come through increased tourism,” said NYC & Company President & CEO Cristyne Nicholas. “Delegates who took advantage of the successful ‘Come Early, Stay Late’ program, added thousands of additional room nights to our city.”

Traditionally, the last week in August is particularly slow for the tourism industry and is one of the most popular vacation times of the year for New Yorkers, and some retail businesses in the area surrounding Madison Square Garden were inconvenienced by the world-class security. However, overall business activity throughout the five boroughs remained steady. The Convention was also a tremendous success for the hospitality industry. PriceWaterhouse-Coopers estimated hotel occupancy rates to be about 87%, while some of the City’s biggest hotels are reporting occupancy rates of more than 90%. That compares to a 74% occupancy rate during the same period last year.

The City organized the “Come Early, Stay Late” program to encourage delegates, alternates, guests and media attending the convention to turn their visit into a vacation. The Host Committee and NYC & Company recruited more than 400 of New York’s world-class attractions, restaurants, museums, Broadway shows, arts and culture and nightlife. More than 2,200 reservations took advantage of the program, which resulted in 4,441 extra room nights booked. The program, which will run through September 8, added about $500,000 in additional visitor spending in the City. New York became the first city ever to launch a visitor program with more than 70 participating NYC & Company member hotels, restaurants, retailers, cultural organizations, tours and attractions.

In addition, an informal NYC & Company survey of delegates showed that the overwhelming majority of RNC guests have a favorable opinion of NYC, and of the return visitors, the majority of those surveyed have a more favorable impression of New York City than their last trip, which shows that the City is moving in the right direction.

“These folks are the friendliest and most considerate group of people I've met in a long time,” said New Hampshire delegate “Ambassador” Tom Cooleen. “At the end of each conversation I’ve asked when they plan to come back and everyone has answered 30 - 60 days, one delegate is coming back as early as next Wednesday! I've also been amazed at the overwhelmingly positive response from the many diverse groups working on this project, from the NYPD to the hotel’s staff – no matter what the request; everyone has been positive, helpful and maintained a smile. The Broadway experience was one of the highlights of the trip – the New Hampshire delegates will be coming back to see a show.”

Kentucky Delegate Scott Crosbie said, “The highlight this week has been going to some of the non-traditional spots in the City. We will leave NY and head back to Kentucky with a strong impression of all of the ‘ambassadors’ for NYC – the New Yorkers and their great warmth, pride and confidence; we leave with a wonderful impression of what New York City is all about.”

More than 75% said they would return to New York for a vacation, and 85% said they would recommend NYC to friends and family as a vacation destination. The overwhelming majority felt safe in New York and found New Yorkers friendly. The survey also included a plethora of write-in comments from delegates about the friendliness and effectiveness of the members of the New York City Police Department.

The large police presence used to secure Madison Square Garden and other Convention-related locations did not affect police coverage in the rest of New York City. By moving to 12-hour shifts, the NYPD was able to maintain and exceed normal police coverage in all five boroughs. Criminal activity remained at record low levels, and was even lower than the comparable week last year. The extensive planning leading up to the RNC was essential in maintaining the public safety of City residents, convention delegates, media and protestors.

Permitted demonstrations, including possibly the largest at any American political convention, went largely without incident. Orderly demonstrations that were not permitted were accommodated, so long as they did not disrupt traffic or reduce public safety. The Police Department was able to facilitate the First Amendment rights of demonstrators while protecting the ability of others to go about their lives.

“From a police operations standpoint, the Republican National Convention was a success,” said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. “The men and women of the New York City Police Department did an outstanding job and have furthered their reputation as the Finest.”

CONTACT: Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk (212) 788-2958
Michael Sherman (EDC)(212) 312-3523
Paul Elliott/Brian Mahanna (Host Committee) (212) 630-8085
Lisa Mortman (NYC & Company)(212) 484-1287