June Event on St. Lawrence River Expected to Draw Anglers from Around the World

Prize of $1 million to be Awarded if New York State Carp Record is Broken

As an added bonus to this year's event, the American Carp Society has announced a $1 million prize for a single carp caught during the competition, which breaks the New York State record which is currently 50 pounds, 4 ounces. First prize for the competition is $50,000, plus two Chevrolet Colorado trucks, based on the total weight of all carp caught by a two-person team during the 115-hour competition.

More than 400 people from all over the world are expected to attend the event, which organizers say will make it the largest World Carp Championship ever. The first W.C.C. was held in Romania in 1999 and prior tournaments have been held in Yugoslavia and France. In 2006, the tournament travels to South Africa. Teams representing Akwesasne, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Holland, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Ukraine and the United States are registered for this year's event.

Carp is considered one of the most popular catches in Europe and Asia, where the practice of "catch and release" has bolstered tourism in many countries. The American Carp Society is hoping this year's tournament will raise the profile of carp angling in the US.

The public is invited to attend the W.C.C., including the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Flags, slated for Saturday, June 4 at 10am in the Donald Martin Civic Center Arena, in Waddington,

NY. The Civic Center will also host the American Carp Society Expo, including the I LOVE NEW YORK Showcase, an educational exhibition and marketplace, featuring the best of New York's Thousand Islands Seaway region.

An entry fee of $2,500 is required for the tournament. For more information or a schedule of events during the tournament, visit: http://www.americancarpsociety.com/

ABOUT I LOVE NEW YORK

I LOVE NEW YORK is a campaign administered by Empire State Development, Charles A. Gargano, Chairman, through the New York State Division of Tourism. First launched in 1977, I LOVE NEW YORK remains one of the most successful international tourism campaigns ever created and continues to promote the beauty and attractions of New York State's eleven geographic regions: Adirondacks, Capital - Saratoga, Catskills, Central Leatherstocking, Chautauqua-Allegheny, Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara, Hudson Valley, Long Island, New York City and Thousand Islands Seaway.

With 168 state parks, 35 state historic sites, major metropolitan centers and quaint small towns, New York State offers exciting year-round travel possibilities for visitors of all ages. To learn more, or for details on upcoming events and lodging, dial (800) CALL-NYS or visit the I LOVE NEW YORK Web site at http://www.iloveny.com/.

   FOR MORE INFORMATION:
   Ron Jury
   Empire State Development
   212-803-3740/rjury@empire.state.ny.us

   Sarah E. Bilofsky
   Eric Mower and Associates
   518-449-3000/sbilofsky@eric.mower.com

Source: I LOVE NEW YORK

CONTACT: Ron Jury of Empire State Development, +1-212-803-3740, or
rjury@empire.state.ny.us; or Sarah E. Bilofsky of Eric Mower and Associates,
+1-518-449-3000, or sbilofsky@eric.mower.com, for I LOVE NEW YORK

Web site: http://www.iloveny.com/
http://www.americancarpsociety.com/