In an effort to attract younger visitors, the Atlantic City Alliance, the destination’s marketing arm, is successfully reaching 21- to 35-year-olds with innovative strategies such as the DO AC Nightlife Party Bus.
Introduced last January, the program involved a 45-foot bus decked out with strobe lights, a full bar and a DJ who collects young revelers from outside popular Philadelphia nightclubs and brings them to Atlantic City for a night of VIP fun before returning them in the morning.
With plans to possibly renew the program in 2015, nightlife is one of Atlantic City’s fastest-growing non-gaming revenue segments and a major lure for Millennials (as well as older delegates still in the groove). Options run the gamut, from Anthem at Tropicana, Boogie Nights at Resorts Casino Hotel, MIXX and mur.mur at Borgata and Latin dance parties at Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar.
The Alliance also promotes a wildly popular free concert series with hundreds of shows on the beach, Boardwalk and other venues. This summer, a free concert from country superstar and The Voice co-host Blake Shelton drew some 60,000 fans to the Atlantic City beach. The Alliance also partnered with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to produce 3D Light and Sound Shows. Open to the public, these free nightly shows feature a mesmerizing display of state-of-the-art architectural mapping, 3D animation technology, surround sound and original soundtracks projected on the facade of Boardwalk Hall.
Atlantic City is also big on major festivals and events, with gatherings for all ages and tastes. Among the highlights are the DO AC Boardwalk Wine Promenade, Pro Beach Volleyball tournament and Seafood Festival.
Meanwhile, constructed mostly from wood from Atlantic City’s boardwalk, Heartwalk is an irresistible piece of artwork representing the love that binds people together during trying times—an apt metaphor for the enduring passion that keeps this resilient city going.
