CITI POND(SM) AT BRYANT PARK KICKS-OFF ITS SIXTH YEAR AS NYC'S ONLY FREE-ADMISSION ICE SKATING RINK WITH AN EXTENDED 2010-2011 SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, New York, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) October 29, 2010 --

NEW YORK (October 29, 2010) - Manhattan's most celebrated holiday epicenter, Citi Pond(SM) at Bryant Park opens today, Friday, October 29th with a new, extended season. Bryant Park will transform, once again, into an outdoor shopping, skating, entertainment and people-watching destination for its sixth consecutive season. In addition to more than thirty additional days of free-admission ice skating with a season lasting through February 27, 2011, Celsius, a restaurant, lounge and event space will debut with new décor and food and beverage additions; while The Holiday Shops will open November 5 and feature 125 plus vendors ranging from unique craft vendors to well established specialty retailers.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park, formerly known as The Pond at Bryant Park, will open its season with a new identity, incorporating edgy, personified branding inspired by 1940's and 1950's classic Bryant Park images. Visitors are also encouraged to engage with Citi Pond's user-friendly social media platforms for promotions and news updates via Facebook: facebook.com/citipond.

"Citi is thrilled to be part of yet another season of Citi Pond at Bryant Park which continues to become a bigger and bigger part of the New York experience," said Bill Brown, Citibank's Manhattan Division Manager. "Our goal has always been to give back to the New York community and this year we hope guests will join us in 'Taking a Snow Day'. We're excited to see Bryant Park transform into a winter wonderland for New Yorkers and visitors alike to come, play shop and skate."

The new identity demonstrates the destinations continued evolution; but the favored daily attractions remain the same, many with even more enticing updates. Celsius dining and entertainment, shopping at The Holiday Shops, free-admission ice skating, corporate and social holiday parties and the famed Annual Tree Lighting event are unsurpassed at this Midtown Manhattan must see. Building on the success of the past five years, Upsilon Ventures, Citi and Bryant Park Corporation have decided to extend the season from past years, opening a week earlier and closing nearly a month later.

"We are excited and privileged to continue to evolve Citi Pond at Bryant Park as the place to celebrate and share the holiday spirit with our guests, vendors and partners. We enjoy offering a platform for entrepreneurs to launch their brands at The Holiday Shops just as we take pleasure in creating an affordable destination for families and friends at our free-admission ice skating rink. Both offerings have become increasingly important as consumers maximize every dollar in today’s down economy," said Itai Shoffman, Founder and President of Upsilon Ventures, the company that produces Citi Pond at Bryant Park.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park has continued to grow through the dedication of Upsilon Ventures, and Citigroup, striving every year to develop new content and programming to make this destination and small community one that New Yorkers and visitors look forward to year after year. Daniel A. Biederman, Executive Director of Bryant Park Corporation, comments on the growth and its importance to Bryant Park:

"We are delighted that Citi Pond at Bryant Park continues to grow in size and scope offering New Yorkers and visitors a place to enjoy food, shopping, crafts and entertainment from across the world. This project brings together entrepreneurs and large companies, friends and families, locals and visitors together to celebrate the season. We couldn't have envisioned anything better for Bryant Park."

For more information on Citi Pond at Bryant Park, as well as for advance and group reservations and not-for-profit and school visits, please call 212-661-6640 or visit: www.CitiPondatBryantPark.com

Media Contact:

Karlie Kayser, Quinn & Co., 212.868.1900 x239, kkayser@quinnandco.com
Danielle Pagano, Quinn & Co., 212.868.1900 x238, dpagano@quinnandco.com
Stephen Silverman, Citi, 212.793.0321, silvermans@citi.com
Joe Carella, Bryant Park Corporation, 212.262.8800, jcarella@jjcpr.com

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