BOSTON, MA, August 5, 2009 – The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) and American Express announced that this year’s Summer Restaurant Week Boston® will be the largest in the event’s nine-year history. From August 9-14 and 16-21, 2009 diners can choose from an array of more than 200 of the region’s best eateries to enjoy three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.09 and three-course dinners for $33.09 – excluding beverage, tax and gratuity. An added menu option this summer is a two-course gourmet lunch priced at a very affordable $15.09; diners can select an entrée and then enjoy either an appetizer or dessert as the second course. For the first time in August, many of the participating restaurants have opted to offer their restaurant week menus on Saturday, August 15, the one night of the week when the offer has traditionally been excluded.

“Summer Restaurant Week Boston® provides a great dining experience at a great price,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the GBCVB. “We have over 200 restaurants from across the Greater Boston area participating. Top chefs have the opportunity to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

Visitors looking for gourmet meals at bargain prices can go online to view all restaurants, peruse menus and make reservations at the OFFICIAL website, www.BostonUSA.com/RestaurantWeek. Along with prix fixe menus at the region’s best tables, participants are encouraged to take advantage of special hotel packages and bargains during the two week promotion. Special offers can also be easily accessed at www.BostonUSA.com/GreatDeals.

Restaurant Week Boston® isn’t just about great deals – when diners use any American Express® Card at participating restaurants, American Express and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau will donate* $.25 per transaction, up to $5000, to Community Servings, an independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to provide free home delivered
meals throughout eastern Massachusetts to home bound and critically ill people with HIV/AIDS, and other acute life-threatening illnesses.

“We are proud to continue our support this year of Summer Restaurant Week Boston®,” said Kyle Curtin, Regional Vice President & General Manager, American Express Merchant Services, “Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful restaurants of Boston and we are delighted to also be able to give back to the community through this
program.”

You can further support Community Servings by bidding on Restaurant Gift Certificates at www.RWBauction.com.  Continue to enjoy great dining savings while supporting an even greater cause!

Restaurant Week Boston® is sponsored and presented by founding partners, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express®. Additional sponsors include Greater Media, Inc. radio stations: MAGIC 106.7 (WMJX), Radio 92.9, 105.7 (WROR), Country 102.5 (WKLB),Talk 96.9 (WTKK), and Metro Boston and TV DINER.
* Purchases are not tax deductible.

Boston, MA: The road to the Final Four® travels through Boston when the 2009 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball East Regionals are held at the TD Banknorth Garden March 26 and 28.

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the Massachusetts Sports & Entertainment Commission and Boston College booked the NCAA® Regionals four years ago. “This is a great event for the city during what is traditionally a slow time of year for our visitor industry,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The weekend is expected to generate more than $7 million in economic spending for the region’s visitor industry, in addition to the exposure Boston will receive as the games are broadcast nationally by CBS,” Moscaritolo said.

Although the games are sold out, the NCAA® has opened the practices on Wednesday, March 25, to the public. Open Practice Day runs from 11am – 4pm at the TD Banknorth Garden and gives fans the opportunity to see four NCAA® Men’s Basketball Regional participant teams up close as they prepare for their games the following day. Pittsburgh will take on Xavier on March 26 at the TD Banknorth Garden with a 7:27p.m. tip-off. And the much awaited Villanova vs. Duke game will follow at approximately 9:57p.m. The winners at Thursday’s games advance to the Regional final game on March 28 at the TD Banknorth Garden and that winner will move on to Detroit for the Final Four®.

In 2006, the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Massachusetts Sports & Entertainment Commission began working together with local sports teams, colleges, universities and city and state officials to secure sports events and sports related meetings.

Sporting events and sports related meetings have significant impact on Boston, representing almost 3 million visitors and $1.6 billion dollars in spending for the region. “The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s collaboration with our local colleges and universities, city and state officials and the Massachusetts Sports & Entertainment Commission have driven this success,” said Moscaritolo.

Already this year, Boston has hosted the 2009 Champions Cup Boston, an annual series for senior tennis players; 2009 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships; the 2009 Nike Indoor Nationals; and the 2009 NCAA® Women’s Frozen Four®. Later this year Boston will play host to major events such as the world’s premier global race and nautical adventure, the Volvo Ocean Race. This nine-month race will make its only stop in North America when it comes to Boston April 25 to May 16. The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is forecasting a $20 million shot in the arm from the Volvo Ocean Race, with 20,000 hotel room nights occupied. Once again, the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships will return to Gillette Stadium, May 23 – 25. Last year, more than 131,000 fans attended this event over Memorial Day weekend, driving $17 million in visitor spending. The 2009 BDO Women’s Jr. World Cup Field Hockey is set for August 13 – 16. Boston, the birthplace of field hockey in the United States, will serve at
the showcase of the sports newest wave of international talent. Scheduled for August 3-16, 2009, the 16-team Junior World Cup will be held at Harvard University hosted by USA Field Hockey. Held every four years, the Junior World Cup represents the top international event for athletes under the age of 21.

Once again, the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express present Restaurant Week Boston®. American Express® Card members have first dibs and can enjoy an exclusive early reservation period now through February 22, 2009. View the participating restaurants above. Reserve your table now by calling the restaurants of your choice and mention any American Express Card.

From Sunday, March 15 through Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22 – Friday, March 27, 2009 diners will enjoy 3-course lunches for $20.09 and/or dinners for $33.09 at restaurants throughout Boston, Cambridge, the suburbs and beyond.

New to the Restaurant Week Menu this year is a 2-course lunch option for $15.09. Diners can enjoy an entree and then elect either an appetizer or dessert as the second course. Many restaurants are also including Saturday this year.

Price is per person and excludes beverage, tax and gratuity. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Restaurant Week Boston® is a perfect time to sample new restaurants and visit old favorites as chefs prepare delectable 3 course meals for your dining pleasure.

Eat out. Eat Out Often.

bostonusa.com/restaurantweek