As announced at the 2015 New Jersey Conference on Tourism, held in Atlantic City in March, overall tourism-related demand generated a record-breaking $42.1 billion in 2014, a 3.8 percent increase over 2013, with visitation to the state reaching 93.2 million, up 4.4 percent from 2013.
For Atlantic City especially, these gains represent prime conditions for continuing to evolve its meetings, tourism and non-gaming strengths following last year’s casino closings.
So far, 2015 has been about good news. In January, Meet AC (www.meetinac.com), the tourism development agency for meetings and conventions, announced the formation of the Atlantic City Sports Commission to attract sporting events, meetings and conventions. In April, Meet AC partnered with Caesars Entertainment and the city’s hospitality industry to rally around the first annual North American Meetings Industry Day.
“Meetings and conventions help to support the overall tourism industry in Atlantic City,” stated Meet AC President and CEO Jim Wood on the occasion. “As the meetings segment increases, it means more jobs, more delegate spending in Atlantic City and overall more non-gaming growth as Atlantic City continues to diversify its tourism portfolio.”
Then in early May came the blockbuster announcement that Meeting Professionals International (MPI) had selected Atlantic City for its 2016 World Education Congress (see news story, page 12).
Representing a first for the city and for New Jersey, MPI will hold its signature showcase at Harrah’s Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, where some 2,000 attendees, including 1,000 meeting planners, are expected to gather for premier education, business and networking opportunities. Scheduled for completion this August, this dynamic new $125 million venue, the largest hotel conference center complex from Baltimore to Boston, will offer 2,500 rooms and 100,000 square feet of meeting space with state-of-the-art technology.
“This decision validates Atlantic City as a serious contender as a meetings destination for meeting planners across the country,” says Michael Massari, senior vice president of Caesars Entertainment national meetings and events.
With 2,078 guest rooms and 122,000 square feet of space, Tropicana Casino and Resort (www.tropicana.net) is among the properties fortifying its meetings and tourism appeal.
In December, the resort celebrates the 10th anniversary of The Quarter, its Havana-inspired entertainment, nightlife, dining, retail and spa complex that remains the city’s largest non-gaming expansion ever. This summer, meanwhile, sees the unveiling of $50 million in renovations, including a makeover of all 434 North Tower hotel rooms, completely renovated casino and the spectacular Tropicana Multimedia Light and Sound Show on the property’s recreated Boardwalk facade.
“The revitalization also includes the newly opened AtlantiCare Lifecenter Fitness at Tropicana, a 12,455-square-foot facility with fitness and teambuilding programs for groups,” says Assistant Vice President of Hotel Sales Jim Ziereis.
Opened in 2003, the 2,000–room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (www.theborgata.com) set the standard for the Las Vegas-style resort destination in Atlantic City, followed in 2008 by its non-gaming sister, The Water Club. Offering 70,000 square feet of event space, the Borgata’s appeal is stronger than ever, as Mark Vanderwielen, the property’s vice president of hospitality, explains.
“The advantages of hosting a meeting or convention at a casino-resort like Borgata are endless,” Vanderwielen says. “Clients are thrilled with the convenience that their entire meeting can take place under one roof, which includes all of the additional opportunities for activities provided by Borgata’s casino, five celebrity chef restaurants, two destination spas, four signature nightlife options and more.
From group spa appointments to gaming lessons, Vanderwielen adds that his team is dedicated to creating a unique experience for every group by taking advantage of the variety of venues and amenities Borgata offers.
Tentatively opening with an inaugural concert this month, Borgata Festival Park is a new outdoor concert and entertainment venue. The property is also investing in a new state-of-the-art nightclub concept, slated to debut in late 2015.
Next month, the 942–room Resorts Casino Hotel (www.meetatresorts.com) will boost its total meeting and conference space to more than 64,000 square feet with the scheduled opening of the new Resorts Conference Center. With 12,000 square feet of versatile space and 11 conference rooms, the facility includes the 6,500-square-foot Atlantic Ballroom, complete with a multiuse prefunction area.
