What's New In San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA (February 4, 2009) - The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau and Team San Jose, in celebration of the renewal of a five-year contract with the City of San Jose to run the convention and cultural facilities (with the option to renew for an additional six years), and the CVB's 25th anniversary, announced the following industry promotions and developments:

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROMOTIONS
25th Anniversary Short-term booking promotion (Meetings and Events)
To celebrate its 25th anniversary and to help clients out during tough economic times, the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau has created a short-term booking promotion for its convention and cultural facilities and hotels for 2009. The offer includes facility discounts for meetings which are booked and take place in 2009.

Discounts range from 50 percent off faculty rentals for meetings with 1,000+ rooms on peak, down to 15 percent discount for 1-150 rooms on peak. An additional 10-20 percent discount will be given for events which book and take place by June 30, 2009. Nine hotels are also offering special concessions for events taking place in 2009. Offerings include complimentary internet access in all public spaces and guest rooms, 1 per 30 comp policy and 2008 menu pricing for all food and beverage functions. Participating hotels include Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport, Crowne Plaza Hotel San Jose, Dolce Hayes Mansion, Hilton San Jose, Holiday Inn, Fairmont San Jose, San Jose Marriott, Sainte Claire Hotel and Wyndham San Jose.

Renovations and News
Hilton San Jose just completed an $11 Million total property transformation. Design elements throughout the hotel have traditional Hispanic color accents and patterns, reinterpreted in the high-tech, streamlined style, suffused in the visual language of Silicon Valley and its products. In addition, the new Affinity restaurant offers a myriad European-inspired cuisine, yet made with rich, local ingredients in the dining room or on the beautiful patio.

TANQ, downtown's newest hip bar created with Michael Mina will open the end of February 2009. Located at the San Jose Marriott downtown, this new bar/lounge, an under-water themed destination offers truly engaging service, innovative small-plate gourmet cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. .

Promotions and Awards

Eco-friendly Hotel Valencia Santana Row is offering a new, grown-up twist on the all-girls slumber party tradition. It's the "Girlfriends' Getaway," and it's a package designed to let best friends get away from it all in style. The package includes an overnight stay at the Santana Row luxury hotel, including two complimentary cocktails, breakfast for two in the hotel's restaurant, Citrus, and two Valencia cinch shopping bags filled with goodies to make the slumber party complete. The package starts at $225, runs throughout 2009 and is based on availability. For reservations call 866.842.0100 or go to www.hotelvalencia.com and enter promotional ID: PKGGG. Each room will receive two black Hotel Valencia cinch bags filled with special items from Santana Row merchants. In addition to the package goodies, the hotel puts girlfriends in a prime location to have fun and pamper themselves.

The Fairmont San Joe's value-added winter offer lets visitors cozy up and celebrate this winter with its ever-popular "Only One Way Winter" program rates, offering savings of up to 20 percent, or receive a free night when booking the best available rate for three nights or more. And as an extra incentive to get away this winter, guests booking Only One Way Winter rates may also take advantage of double airline miles at Aeroplan, American Airlines, AAdvantage and United Mileage Plus. Starting from $119 and good through April 15, 2009. Based on availability.

Dolce Hayes Mansion was recently awarded the prestigious Platinum Choice Award from Smart Meetings magazine readers who noted properties with exceptional ambience, amenities, service and technology. This unique, green hotel is offering great packages, such as: "It's Not Easy Being Green" at $169 per night, $10 of which goes to Carbon Offsetting (LEEDS), good through 2009; "President's Day B&B Special" at $109 with Breakfast for two from Feb. 12-16, 2009; "Easter B&B Special" at $119 with Breakfast for two from April 9-12, 2009; and more.

SHOPPING SPECIALS
Go Red for Women Promotion at Santana Row: Shop and dine at Santana
Row during the month of February to benefit Go Red for Women, a
fundraising branch of the American Heart Association. Donate $10 or more to
receive an exclusive "Heart Card," good for a minimum of15 percent off at select
Santana Row shops and restaurants for the month of February.

SPORTS SHORTS
The 2009 Amgen Tour of California-with a Stage 3 Start, noon, Feb. 17 in San Jose-will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations, including eight of the sport's top-rated ProTour teams. Coinciding with the event, the San Jose Office of Economic Development-produced San Jose Cycling Classic takes place Feb. 14-21 in Downtown San Jose. With a myriad of events for cyclists of all levels as well as some for those thinking about dusting off their bikes, or simply wanting to enjoy the competitive spectacle, there is something for everyone.

WINE COUNTRY NEWS
Ultimate Winemakers Dinner: Feb. 24, 2009. Up to 25 winemakers in the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region near San Jose offer exclusive tastes of their wines in the Shadowbrook Restaurant's Rock Room Lounge and then join guests for an intimate gourmet meal in the spectacular setting of this Capitola restaurant, which is closed to the general public for this very special event. Cost is $105, all inclusive (meal, tax, wine and gratuity). Reservations required. Top of Form 1

TRANSPORTATION TIDBITS
The $1.3 billion modernization of Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) terminal facilities remains on schedule and on budget, and is moving quickly to the finish line next year. SJC will reach major milestones for the project in 2009, especially the upgrades at Terminal A that will be completed by the end of the year, such as: new ticketing lobbies with 60 percent more stations for more efficient service; expanded security; new restaurants and shops and upgraded lounges; and a $23 million replacement of its baggage security system. For the extended version of the release, including more updates as well as web links, visit http://www.sanjose.org/pressroom/pressreleases/2009.php or call 1-800-SAN-JOSE.

About The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB)
The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB) mission is to enhance the image and economic well being of San Jose by marketing San Jose as a globally recognized destination. The SJCVB offers meeting planners, tour operators, and individual visitors a wide range of services to ensure a successful event and fun visit to San Jose. To receive a copy of the Bureau's Meeting Planning Guide or Official Visitors Guide, please contact the SJCVB at 1.800.SAN.JOSE (1.800.726.5673) or visit http://www.sanjose.org.