Hotel Haven
Like Las Vegas, Atlantic City has evolved into a meetings destination where you practically need a scorecard to keep up with hotel openings and improvements.
Among the upcoming launches causing lots of buzz are the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, a marvelous makeover of the former Taj Mahal. Upon its unveiling this summer, the remarkable resort will cover 17 acres and will offer more than 150,000 square feet of event space and a rollicking casino with 2,200 slots and 125 table games. Its location right on the Atlantic City boardwalk will be yet another lure.
Also on tap for an imminent opening is the Ocean Resort Casino, reportedly part of Hyatt Hotels’ exclusive Unbound collection and a reimagining of the former Revel resort. Wood said the new lodging will include a food-and-beverage concept that includes a trio of local food trucks as well as a spacious nightclub. What might impress planners the most, though, is a wealth of meeting areas that comprise 160,000 square feet of indoor event space plus 90,000 square feet of outdoor function room.
Other noteworthy recent news tied to meetings hotels includes Resorts Casino’s addition of a 12,000-square-foot conference center, the nongaming Claridge Hotel’s unveiling of 15,000 square feet of new meeting space and the Borgata’s launching of an 18,000-square-foot Central Conference Center last year. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, which debuted its massive Waterfront Conference Center several years ago, also made news in 2017 with a $30 million makeover of its guest rooms and suites.
Off-Site Escapes
If you’re seeking to get your group away from the hotel or meeting rooms for something different, one bright idea is to host an event at the Absecon Lighthouse, the state’s tallest lighthouse. The historic beacon was first lit in 1857 and today can host about 40 or fewer people for meetings and other affairs.
“We have ample space in our museum area for a catered lunch setup and off-campus meeting for businesses,” said Jean Muchanic, the venue’s executive director. “And then what’s really fun is there are six landings as people climb the lighthouse with a window and ledge at each, so businesses can lay out a different strategy or company goal at each. Then, the company’s lead mission or vision statement and goal can be featured at the top because ‘reaching the top’ is a metaphor for success. Folks have really enjoyed using this historic site this way.”
Another off-site option with a seaside feel is the Atlantic City Aquarium, a bastion of undersea life and host of many events. Planners can ponder the 1,000-square-foot Harborview Room or even buy out the entire venue for an after-hours affair. There are also outdoor spaces available. The aquarium staff can also attend your event with its Traveling Touch Tank, which features stingrays, sharks, starfish and other sea creatures.
Meanwhile, at the Tropicana Atlantic City, guests can make a great escape without even leaving the boardwalk. The resort is home to Escape AC, with four Atlantic City-themed escape rooms, where groups must work together to find clues, solve puzzles and do whatever it takes to unlock the obstacles to freedom.
“At Escape AC, we have four adult-only, Atlantic City-themed escape rooms, all of which offer an extreme challenge,” said venue co-owner Lisa Benninger. “Our facility can handle just over 40 people in one round — a little less than 90 minutes — making our venue very attractive for large company outings. Escape AC has a great advantage over most escape rooms, as teams can meet up in one of Tropicana’s many restaurants, bars or other meeting areas before their event to form a pep rally, or after their experience, to rehash the fun.”
Wood said many groups just head straight for the beach for their off-site events. There, numerous opportunities can easily be arranged by the nearby gamut of resorts.
“Any one of them can provide a memorable off-site beach event,” he said.
Groups can also have tours and events on the water with party boats such as those operated by Atlantic City Cruises, which hosts oceanbound affairs for up to 150 attendees.
