New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
is preparing a campaign to promote his city as a gay wedding
destination.
The city's marketing office, NYC &
Company, has already released portions of its upcoming NYC I Do
campaign. Helpful advice on who can marry in New York City and how
soon is posted at the city's NYCgo.com website.
Kimberly Spell, spokeswoman for NYC &
Company, said the campaign “will create millions of dollars in
additional economic impact to the city's $31 billion tourism
industry."
The agency “is working to create a
multichannel, global communications and marketing campaign – NYC I
Do – to promote the vibrancy and attractiveness of the five
boroughs as a gay weddings destination,” she said.
A study conducted two years ago when
lawmakers were considering legalizing marriage for gay couples from
then-city Controller William Thompson predicted $149 million in city
coffers within three years.
But a more recent report released by
the Independent Democratic Conference, a group of four New York
Senators led by Senator Jeff Klein, put the figure closer to $400
million.
Gay and lesbian couples can begin
marrying in the Empire State on July 25.
“I just don't know that everyone is
going to rush to New York the first day given there are
alternatives,” Bloomberg told the New York Daily News. “But
we will be ready. Will there be lines the first day? Yes. Get
ready for it. Get used to it. It's a lot better than no lines.”