Grand Prize winner to walk the green carpet and attend exclusive events in Toronto

TORONTO, June 17 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM), the proud presenting sponsor of the 2011 IIFA Celebrations in Toronto, today announces the five winners of the CIBC IIFA Golden Ticket Contest who will get an opportunity to join Bollywood's hottest stars at the IIFA Weekend in Toronto June 23 to 25.

These five lucky Canadians have won a VIP experience at one of the world's most watched awards show:

Grand Prize Winner:
        -  Trisha Sengupta of Burlington, ON

    VIP IIFA Weekend for two winners:
        -  Sara Syed of Mississauga, ON
        -  Lori Novak of Winnipeg, MB
        -  Monisha Jani of Markham, ON
        -  Raj Banka of Brampton, ON

"We are thrilled to provide five lucky Canadians and their guests the experience of a lifetime with a VIP weekend at the IIFAs, said Raza Hasan, CIBC Senior Vice-President. "Our grand prize winner from Burlington, Ontario - Trisha Sengupta - will walk the green carpet and go to exclusive after parties with Bollywood stars. CIBC is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the IIFA Celebrations in Toronto and to offer our winners this exclusive chance to take part in the excitement of the IIFA weekend in premium style."

The CIBC IIFA Golden Ticket Contest offered current and new CIBC clients the opportunity to win 1 of 5 VIP weekends for two to attend the IIFA weekend celebrations in Toronto when they applied for or purchased a CIBC product.

"I've always dreamed of going to the IIFA Awards but never thought I would ever have the opportunity," said Trisha Sengupta of Burlington, Ontario. "When they announced they were coming to Canada I thought I might get to go but the tickets sold out so fast. Now, thanks to CIBC I'm living out this dream."

The winners were selected in a random draw on May 2, 2011. The grand prize is a Golden Ticket prize pack for two with VIP admission to all IIFA weekend events including a chance to walk the 'green carpet' with the stars, access to select after parties as well as transportation, hotel and meals. There are also four VIP IIFA prize packs for two which include tickets to the IIFA Awards show and IIFA Rocks, as well as transportation, hotel and meals.

CIBC is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2011 International Indian Film Academy Celebration to be held in Toronto. The IIFA Awards, known as the 'Bollywood Oscars', are the annual awards for India's global movie industry. The event, taking place in North America for the first time, is expected to attract over 40,000 visitors to Toronto as well as a global audience of 700 million viewers.

For information about other IIFA-related events, visit www.cibciifa.com.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

Image with caption: "CIBC IIFA Golden Ticket Contest Winner, Trisha Sengupta of Burlington ON, is congratulated by CIBC Associate Vice-President Ray Gagne and CIBC's Hamilton Westdale Branch Manager Sharon Johnston. (CNW Group/CIBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110617_C7114_PHOTO_EN_01.jpg