Harrah’s new $126 million conference center has been topped off in an event seen as symbolic for troubled Atlantic City’s future.
The final beam was put in place in the presence of Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman with both talking up Atlantic City’s future prospects as a more diversified destination.
"This is really a test case for me and my competitors – that Atlantic City can have a multifaceted meetings and conventions business," Loveman said.
"That we can offer an entire experience, a deeper hospitality experience."
Loveman said the new Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, due to open in August, is the largest and most advanced technologically on the East Coast.
He added that Atlantic City only secures about 1% of the Northeast Corridor’s $16 billion convention business.
"There’s no reason with Atlantic City’s proximity to New York City, Washington, D.C., Philly, and Baltimore that we’re only getting 1%, and we can offer a state-of-the-art facility that’s fun and inexpensive."
The convention center will be equipped to accommodate up to 5,000 delegates at a time.
Even more bullish was senate president Stephen Sweeney, who said: "Atlantic City has a phenomenal future. We’ve taken some hits, and we know that and Atlantic City’s best days will be as a resort again."
However a survey of local residents released yesterday paints a very different picture.
Almost two-thirds of New Jerseyans believe AC’s best days are behind it and only 25% say gambling has benefitted local people.
Four Atlantic City casinos – Atlantic Club, Showboat, Revel, and Trump Plaza have closed so far this year with a fifth – the Trump Taj Mahal struggling to stay afloat.
