Virgin America Asks Toronto and San Francisco Scene Makers to Share Their
'Hometown Hideouts' to Win Tickets to a Private Concert

    
    Airline Encourages San Franciscans and Torontonians to Design their Ideal
    Urban Itineraries for the Chance to Win a Spot at a Secret Show *




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Oct. 12</span> /CNW/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing travel, is asking "scene makers" in <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> and <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> to share the hot-spots, hidden gems and landmarks that define their cities.  The airline, known for its stylish design, unrivalled entertainment platform and tech-forward features has teamed up with the <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> and <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> Convention and Visitors Bureaus for a unique promotion that encourages bi-coastal social butterflies to share their "hometown hideouts" for the chance to win the ultimate hipster reward:  a private show with famed indie band Broken Social Scene.  San Franciscans and Torontonians are encouraged to put together an ideal itinerary of all the hidden must-see gems for each of their cities.  Entries will be voted on at Torontoist.com and SFist.com where the winners will score an invite to the concert and the opportunity to bring along their closest friends for the celebration.</p>
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    (Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)
    (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

    
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<p>"We're thrilled to team up with both the <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> CVB and <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> CVB to inspire their city's residents to show off their in-depth knowledge of all the secret gems and up-and-coming must sees these dynamic, cosmopolitan cities have to offer," said <span class="xn-person">Porter Gale</span>, Vice President of Marketing for Virgin America. "Both <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> and <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> are such artistic and cultural hotspots, it will be exciting to see what people come up with!"</p>
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<p>The best insider guide itineraries will be voted on and one lucky <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> resident will be flown to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> on Virgin America with nine of their closest friends for a private concert with Broken Social Scene at one of Toronto's hottest venues.  Four <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> winners will also win the opportunity to bring eleven of their friends to the same concert in their hometown.</p>
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<p>"This is a unique and exciting opportunity to partner with Tourism <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> and Virgin America and bring this contest to <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> residents," said Matt Stiker, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the SFCVB. "<span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> and <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> are both world-class travel destinations that share inspired, eclectic and culturally diverse social scenes.  Our museums, nightlife, food and unique neighborhoods are second to none.  And our hometown airline Virgin America offers travelers a fresh new way to get from city to city.  We think the Hometown Hideouts contest is a great way for residents to share the vibrancy of both cities and encourage more bi-coastal travelers to visit."</p>
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<p>"Both <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> and <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> are internationally recognized for their cuisine, art and effervescent social scenes.  We hope those in the know will want to share what makes their city special.  And the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime private show with Toronto's own Broken Social Scene seems like a pretty good incentive," said <span class="xn-person">Andrew Weir</span>, Tourism <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>.</p>
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<p>This past June, San Francisco's hometown airline Virgin America added nonstop flights to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, its first international destination.  The airline offers flyers mood-lit cabins, standard power outlets near every seat and Red (TM) in-flight entertainment system-- the largest and most advanced personal touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies. The Red platform offers 700+ hours of entertainment content, including the ability to build playlists from over 3,000 MP3s, 30 on-demand films, live and premium TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a first-of-its-kind digital Shop section and an on-demand menu-- so guests can order a cocktail or meal from their seatback any time during a flight.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> Residents can submit their Hometown Hideouts itinerary to:  <a href="http://sfist.com/virginamerica/">http://sfist.com/virginamerica/</a></p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> Residents can submit their Hometown Hideouts itinerary to:  <a href="http://torontoist.com/virginamerica/">http://torontoist.com/virginamerica/</a></p>
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<p>About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in <span class="xn-chron">August 2007</span>, Virgin America employs over 1700 people. The airline's base of operations is <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> International Airport.  Virgin America offers in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the North American skies via the Red(TM) platform.  In three years flying, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008 and 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards.  For photos and more: <a href="http://www.virginamerica.com">www.virginamerica.com</a></p>
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<p>*Terms and Conditions: Full contest rules and regulations can be found at: <a href="http://www.gothamistllc.com/mediakit/legal_virgin.php">http://www.gothamistllc.com/mediakit/legal_virgin.php</a></p>
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For further information: Katie Baynes of Virgin America, [phone], [email protected]