Atlantic City puts on its poker face for meetings
Three years ago, Atlantic City’s meetings growth was meteoric, says Meetings/Focus. But then came the twin storms of recession and competition from emerging markets in other Eastern states, followed by slowing investment.
But the area has rebounded.
"While room night growth will remain flat heading into 2010, attendance at all convention center shows was up four percent through September of this year," said Gary Musich, vice president of convention development for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. "In this environment, we’ll take stable."
With 14 new events booked this year and 12 new events booked for 2010, Musich says the outlook for 2011 and beyond is sunnier still.
In 2008, Atlantic City grew room inventory by 20 percent.
With group, tradeshow and championship sporting events proving counterbalances, Atlantic City’s maturing product mix is paying dividends.
"We are reaping the benefits of our investments over the past several years," Musich said. "The length of stay in Atlantic City has tripled over the last decade, with leisure visitors averaging 2.6 days, and conventioneers spending 3.5 days."
Once celebrated as "The World’s Favorite Playground," Atlantic City has held losing hands before. “But has always managed to reshuffle weakened hands into royal flushes, and that is especially so this time around,” says the site.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt