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New York City, NY Guide

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New York City Meeting Planning

New York City Skyline

New York City. The name alone is virtually enough to attract meeting and conventions goers in droves each year. In fact, the city is host to hundreds of events and over 40 million international and American visitors annually. And with a well-supported transportation network, plenty of hotel accommodations, and a wealth of meeting venues that only continues to expand, New York City is certainly making good on its reputation.

A hub for both domestic and international travel, the city is served by three airports – John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International. Together, they offer competitively priced flights to over 100 million passengers annually. Once inside the city, guests are never at a loss for transportation options. Public transit, which includes buses, ferries and one of the most extensive subway systems in the world, offers around-the-clock travel to just about every corner of New York.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a constantly upgrading and expanding set of accommodations and attractions. By 2010, the number of hotel rooms in the city is set to increase by over 20,000 rooms, thanks to new properties as well as the renovations of well-known favorites. In 2008, for example, the much-loved Plaza Hotel re-opened with $400 million in renovations; it now offers 282 luxurious guest rooms.

For planners, the upgrades to many of New York City's classiest lodging facilities also include additional spacious meeting rooms. Invite guests to convene amongst dramatic artwork at the Grand Hyatt's re-opened 13,000-square-foot conference level. Schedule the next annual board meeting in one of the recently-added nine meeting rooms at the Carlton on Madison Avenue.

Ellis Island-American Family Immigration History Center

To truly experience New York, guests certainly need to step outside the boardroom. Infuse meetings with authentic New York spirit by hosting an event at one of the city's hundreds of unique venues, such as the Bronx Zoo or the New York Aquarium. Views of the Manhattan skyline are the perfect backdrop for receptions of up to 200 guests at the chic Sky Room at the New Museum of Contemporary Art's new downtown facility. Transport guests back to the gateway to America with an event of up to 1,000 people at the Ellis Island-American Family Immigration History Center. Or, celebrate a New York pastime by inviting a group to one of the plush suites at the new Yankee Stadium.

New York City is certainly a destination that knows how to do things big – and meeting and events are no exception. The city has plenty of large-scale venues to complement its smaller options. Headlining the meetings scene is the stunning Jacob K. Javits Convention CenterJacob K. Javits Convention Center
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Spanning five blocks, the center ranks among the top 20 largest U.S. convention centers. The center boasts 760,000 square feet of exhibition space and 28,000 square feet of meeting space, with a total of 102 meeting rooms. Equally impressive are the amenities, which range from enough kitchens to provide 10,000 meals simultaneously to wi-fi Internet access and plasma television screens for exhibitors.

Madison Square Garden Expo Center

Other suitable venues for large events include the famed Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks and frequent host to musical acts, sporting events and family shows. From its 20,000-square-foot arena to its 9,500-square-foot Garden Terrace, the Garden is more than capable of accommodating any type of event, whether it be a black-tie gala or intimate awards dinner. Or, invite guests to New York's majestic Radio City Musical Hall. Its shimmering gold curtain – the largest in the world – and city-block-long marquee set the stage for a night of luxury for up to 600 guests.

A hub for international business and commerce, New York City joins
 LondonLondon
London and Tokyo as a command center of the world economy. Finance, insurance, real estate and media industries all play a key role in the city's economy, which is the largest regional economy in the United States. Nearly 50 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in New York, along with the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Public post-secondary institutions in the city include the City University of New York, while the private schools of Columbia University, Cooper Union and New York University, among others, are also in the city.

Key Statistics

About New York City / Additional Info

The buzzing metropolitan that is New York City traces its roots back to 5,000 Lenape Native Americans that occupied the region before European arrival in 1524. Initially a Dutch fur trading settlement, it came under British rule in 1667 before becoming one of the first members of the United States after the Revolutionary War. From the first presidential inauguration to the 1863 Draft Riots to the September 11, 2001 attacks, New York City has been and continues to be the site of countless significant events in the nation's history.

Today, the city alone is home to over eight million residents. A true testament to America's "melting pot" culture, its population is remarkably diverse, thanks to the city's role as an entry point for immigrants throughout history. About 36 percent of its residents are foreign-born. From Dominican to Chinese, Mexican to Russian, no one country dominates the nationalities represented in New York.

Exploring this rich cultural mosaic is as easy as stepping right outside the door. Roughly 170 languages are spoken in the city, which is built primarily on the three islands of Manhattan, Staten Island and Long Island. Though each of its five boroughs – the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island – boasts a story and culture of its own, many are home to dense ethnic and national enclaves. Explore Manhattan's ChinatownNew York Chinatown
New York Chinatown's specialty food shops or the Museum of Chinese in the Americas. Sample authentic Italian fare in New York's Little Italy in Manhattan or throughout Staten Island, which boasts a higher percentage of Italian Americans than any other U.S. county. Or, head to Brooklyn to experience one of the most vibrant Jewish communities outside of Israel.

Chrysler Building

The cityscape of New York City is as diverse as its residents. From the Art Deco Chrysler Building to the Gothic Revival Woolworth Building, the city is a mélange of architectural styles. Plus, with 50 skyscrapers reaching over 650 feet, it boasts more such structures than any other U.S. city.

Guests need not worry of getting stuck within an urban maze of steel and concrete, however. In fact the city has over 28,000 acres of parks and 14 miles of public beaches, meaning plenty of room for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. No visit to New York City would be complete without a stop in Central ParkCentral Park
Central Park, where guests can ride the antique carousel, take a gondola ride in the lake, or, in the winter, enjoy outdoor skating at the Wollman Rink. Also popular, the New York Botanical Garden is the largest such garden in any city in the United States. Enjoy the sweet fragrances of orchids, tulips and daffodils at its immaculate garden displays, or wander the 50-acre Forest area , where some trees date back 200 years.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

New York City's breathtaking scenery is matched by what awaits guests indoors at its endless attractions. Enjoy a show or concert at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, home to 12 arts organizations, or explore over two million pieces of art, from Egyptian to European, at the the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Empire State Building, the tallest structure in the city, remains a visitor must-see, while the Brooklyn Children's Museum's kid-friendly exhibits have been delighting families for over 100 years. From concert halls to baseball stadiums, museums to night clubs, New York City's attractions are just like its people: a diverse mix that's ready and willing to welcome its guests with open arms.