Walter Schatz
Executive Director; Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY); Montvale, N.J.
Describe your event. Our annual event, Promotions East, usually attracts 750 to 800 exhibiting supplier companies and 4,000 to 4,500 distributor attendees. We expect the economic environment we are currently in to affect our attendance. It is a trade show, not open to the public. The association is 59 years old and the trade show is 40 years old. It is held at the Atlantic City Convention Center every year on the Monday through Wednesday of the week following Memorial Day.
Why did you decide to host the meeting in Atlantic City? The convention center opened in 1997, and we were the first show in the new building. In 1997, there were only two buildings we could consider for the show, and we chose the new building in Atlantic City, which is in the center of our marketing area. We work with the building and the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority (ACCVA) staff for two years before the events and track everything we need until opening day. We are always concerned when the building’s food service contract is renewed. The contract date starts on June 1, just in time for our show. There have been four changes since 1997 and the transition has been handled wonderfully in almost all cases.
What have your attendees enjoyed the most? Our attendees are mostly automobile drivers. Atlantic City is easy to get to, and the hotel accommodations are excellent. There are lots of first-class restaurants. Everything is in close proximity to the convention center. Although a distraction for show managers, the outlet store development, known as The Walk, has been an attraction for our attendees. Add the famous Boardwalk, the new pier mall and the casinos, and it is clear why Atlantic City has the destination qualities that are appealing to our repeat attendees.
Has anyone been particularly helpful? We developed an excellent working relationship with all of the professionals at the ACCVA and with the SMG staff at the convention center. We have worked as close partners from our first contact with them 14 years ago. Last year, in a major national survey, Promotions East was judged to be the second best show in the Promotional Products Industry. That could not happen without the excellent working relationships we have developed through these years.
What are some of the unique off-site venues that you have used? We have used many of the hotel, restaurant and club facilities in the city and have been impressed with the quality of food and service at almost every venue we have selected.
Have you incorporated any interesting excursions and activities into the agenda? We have an annual golf outing that supports our charitable foundation and have used a number of courses in the area. The Atlantic City area has a large number of excellent courses that are open to the public. We used to have tennis events, and there are many tennis facilities open for public use.
How does Atlantic City compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings? Because we are a regional association, our use of other major facilities is limited, but I can certainly share that the SMG staff at the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J., consists of strong, professional team members. We work to integrate our staff with the facility staff to make the total delivery of service transparent to our clients and guests. The staff of the ACCVA is outstanding. They have been in their positions for many years and their level of service is outstanding.
Would you return? Our organization was the first major user of the Atlantic City Convention Center when it opened in 1997, and we are in contract through 2012. We are committed to Atlantic City!