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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
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