NYC & COMPANY SALUTE CABDRIVERS IN HONOR OF TAXI APPRECIATION DAY

Cab Drivers Pulling Up to LaGuardia's
Central Terminal Building Taxi Hold Lot Received Free Gifts

NYC & Company launched "Taxi Appreciation Day" as part of the festivities for National Tourism Week. On Thursday, May 18th New Yorkers and visitors were encouraged to appreciate the drivers that keep our city moving and to help visitors explore the neighborhoods and visit all of the attractions of the Big Apple.

To make our yellow cab drivers feel extra special on "Taxi Appreciation Day," NYC & Company, in partnership with CD101.9, the Port Authority, British Petroleum (BP), American Airlines and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, offered free thank you gifts for cabbies at LaGuardia Airport at the Central Terminal Building Taxi Hold Lot from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Cab drivers that had CD101.9 tuned into their radioswere entered to win a pair of roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the Continental US and Caribbean that American Airlines flies!

From left to right, celebrating “Taxi Appreciation Day” at LaGuardia Airport’s Central Taxi Hold, are hosts NYC & Company President and CEO Cristyne Nicholas, Lady Liberty herself, TLC Commissioner/ Chairman Matthew W. Daus, and taxi driver Gavriel. The event was part of the festivities surrounding National Tourism Week and celebrates the taxicab industry’s important role as New York City’s goodwill ambassadors.

"I encourage all New Yorkers and visitors to add an extra thanks to brighten the day of our dedicated cabbies," said NYC & Company President Cristyne Nicholas. "We are so thrilled to celebrate the men and women who take the driver's seat every day to get us where we need to go. Whether you are hailing a New York City taxi for the first time or the thousandth, it always brings great piece of mind to know our cabbies are at the wheel to help us navigate the bustling streets of the Big Apple."

"Taxicab drivers are New York City's goodwill ambassadors," said New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew W. Daus. "Many millions of New Yorkers and visitors see our City through the eyes of a taxi driver as much as they do through the windows of their taxicab. For this reason, as well as for the customer service they work so hard to offer, it is fitting that we say thank you as often as possible."

Hundreds of participating drivers received valuable gift bags, and had their individual photos taken with Lady Liberty as part of the festivities. Shown here, Lady Liberty herself (with crown and torch!), NYC & Co. President and CEO Cristyne Nicholas (fifth from left) and TLC Commissioner/Chairman Matthew W. Daus (sixth from left) pause for a moment with several driver participants between event activities.

"We're thrilled to participate in this day of appreciation for the men and women who drive cabs in New York City," said Port Authority Executive Director Kenneth J. Ringler Jr. "Many of the 100 million passengers who use our airports every year rely on cabbies to get them to their destinations, and today is a great opportunity for all of us to let cabbies know how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication."

National Tourism week ran from Saturday, May 13 through Sunday, May 21. Other events included NYC & Company Member Appreciation Night, NYC & Company Foundation Salute to Theater and the NYC & Company International Cultural Tourism Marketing Briefing.

From left to right, TLC Commissioner Matthew W. Daus, Lady Liberty, NYC & Company President Cristyne Nicholas, and Port Authority representative Tom Bosco welcome the hundreds of participating drivers to “Taxi Appreciation Day 2006,” celebrated as part of the festivities surrounding National Tourism Week.

NYC & Company, the city's official tourism marketing organization, is a private, membership based non-profit dedicated to building New York City's economy and positive image through tourism and convention development, major events and the marketing of the city on a worldwide basis.

For more information visit www.nycvisit.com or call 212-484-1222.

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