Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in

Atlantic City

Learn why you should host your next meeting, event or conference in Atlantic City. 

Why Atlantic City for Your Next Meeting or Event?

Atlantic City is ready to create meaningful meetings together and sustainability efforts throughout this seaside destination show for itself.

Only in A.C.

The 33,114-pipe organ at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is the largest and noisiest instrument of its kind in the world. Take a free guided tour of the "Sonic Mount Rushmore," where guests can climb in and out of the instrument's chambers, enjoy a concert and even play a few notes. 

Transportation in & Around the Area

Atlantic City International Airport is located 12 miles outside of Atlantic City and is serviced by Spirit Airlines.

Philadelphia International Airport is located 60 miles from Atlantic City and is serviced by over 30 airlines.

Rail service is provided by NJ TRANSIT; the terminal is connected to the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Motorcoach transportation is provided by NJ TRANSIT and Greyhound bus services.

Jitney transportation is powered by compressed natural gas. This people mover runs throughout the city or can be tailored for a specific route for your event. Cost, $2.50 per person, per way

Boardwalk Tram service; a one‐way ticket costs $4.00 per person, $2.00 for children under 12

Travel Essentials

Taxes: Luxury tax, 9%; sales tax, 4%; occupancy fee, 1%; tourism promotion fee, $5 per room for casino hotels; total tax on hotel rooms, 14% plus tourism promotion fee

CVB: Visit Atlantic City, (609) 348-7100 or (844) 855-6338

Convention Center: Atlantic City Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 486,600 square feet; meeting space, 109,100 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 45; (844) 855-6338

Total Number of Hotel Rooms: 17,500

 

2022 Stella Award Winners

2021 Stella Award Winners

2020 Stella Award Winners

    Meeting & Event Venues

    New & Coming Soon to Atlantic City

    • Visit Atlantic City has launched a redesigned, user-friendly website. Planners can easily organize an upcoming trip by using the Trip Builder feature, and other CRM resources directly on their desktop, tablet or phone. Event organizers will be able to find properties and meeting spaces effectively promoted throughout the new website's listing pages for easy access. Plus, the map section enables planners to see exactly where the event or attraction is in relation to everything else in Atlantic City. Other features include a blog and Atlantic City Voices, featuring interviews with leaders in the community and destination.

    • The CVB has launched an incentive program that provides funds to offset the cost of any meeting or convention booked or taking place in Atlantic City from 2023 through 2027. To qualify for the incentive of up to $10 per contracted room night, the event must be new to the destination, imust generate 100 total room nights and be booked through Visit Atlantic City. Priority is given to midweek dates. Planners seeking more information can contact the Visit Atlantic City team at (844) 855-6338 or email sales@visitatlanticcity.com.

    • The Atlantic City Convention Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification in accordance with the LEED rating system developed by the U.S. Green Buildings Council. In addition, the Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall became New Jersey’s first Convention Center and Arena to achieve GBAC STAR facility accreditation.

    • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has completed a $55 million project that involved a redesign and rebranding of The Water Club, now known as the MGM Tower. The tower’s 700-plus guest rooms now exude a sophisticated coastal vibe, with a nautical palette of neutral and blue tones accented by deep wood finishes. Newly created Vista Suites boast expansive living rooms, private bedrooms, two bathrooms, and spacious dining areas. Borgata is also introducing a 9,000-square-foot event space on the 32nd floor of the tower, on the site of the former Immersion Spa.

    • ISLAND Waterpark at Showboat Hotel Atlantic City, the world’s largest indoor beachfront waterpark, is now open. Covering 120,000 square feet and holding more than 317,000 gallons of water, the waterpark features 11 waterslides for the adult crowd, plus five waterslides for younger visitors. Among other features are the 1,000-square-foot Wild Wave FlowRider surf simulator, where surf lessons are available; a 30-foot-tall treehouse that can be booked for private parties; Adventure Pool, where guests can play various watersports; an adults-only pool with Atlantic City’s only swim-up bar; a 6,500-square-foot Lazy River; and a Kids Cove play area. Guests can also enjoy craft beers, curated wines, and signature cocktails at the waterpark’s six bars or relax at Paradise Adult Island, a 10,000-square-foot venue with DJ entertainment. Every evening, the waterpark transforms into an adults-only nightlife venue, said to be the first of its kind at any waterpark.

    • Caesars Atlantic City is now home to two Spiegelworld venues: THE HOOK and Superfrico restaurant. Atlantic City’s only permanent live entertainment destination, offering 400 seats, The Hook features the splashy production of the same name with an all-star cast of acclaimed comedians, acrobats, and circus performers from nine countries spanning four continents. Billed as an Italian-American-psychedelic dining spot and already a hit on the Las Vegas Strip, Superfrico serves reimagined classic dishes prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients with unique textures, techniques, and flavors. Also new at Caesars: There are more than 750 newly renovated rooms and suites in its Centurion and Ocean towers. Redesigned and redecorated as part of a $200 million enhancement project underway at the property, the rooms now feature a contemporary Roman aesthetic inspired by Atlantic City scenery, including the beach, ocean, and iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. Modern bathrooms have oversized showers, mirrors, and signature amenities.

    • Caesars Entertainment has embarked on a project intended to help propel the company toward its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent before 2050. Included in the project are  the installation of two solar canopies at Caesars Atlantic City; two solar canopies, plus a rooftop system at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, and a canopy at Tropicana Atlantic City. In addition to generating clean energy, the canopies will provide shade to guest and staff parking areas and reduce snow removal costs, while the rooftop system will limit UV exposure to the roof, reducing cooling needs and extending its lifespan. Slated for completion in late 2022, the installations are expected to generate enough clean, renewable energy for the three properties each year to avoid 8,144 tons of carbon dioxide annually and equivalent to removing 1,592 gas-powered cars from the road annually.

    • Ocean Casino Resort’s $25 million casino transformation is now complete, following the opening of The Gallery Bar, Book & Games. The 12,000-square-foot venue features a 100-foot elevated bar and lounge with 59 seats and 12 slot machines, plus 140 feet of LED walls. Blackjack and roulette tables surround the perimeter of the bar. A 17-foot open-air staircase will connect to Balcony Bar, a mezzanine bar and lounge that offers a VIP sportsbook experience.

    • Bally’s Atlantic City has completed the renovation of 750 renovated guest rooms and suites. Features include beach- and Boardwalk-inspired design; new flooring with carpet inlays; tiled bathrooms with modern vanities and illuminated mirrors, and updated showers. Corner king junior suites offer ocean or bay views,  seating areas, and spa-like bathrooms with separate showers and freestanding deep soak tub. All penthouse-style suites feature dining areas, pool tables, wet bars, custom rainfall showers, and more. The property recently unveiled its Carousel Bar—the first venue of its kind in Atlantic City — that offers visitors 360-degree views of the property’s casino and adjacent areas on a 24-seat platform that makes several revolutions per hour.

    • Several new F&B outlets have opened at Tropicana Atlantic City. Il Verdi serves up hand-made pasta and gorgeous ocean views. Ossu Japanese Tavern offers a modern take on traditional Japanese food, with a selection of dishes like yakitori and sushi as well as small plates. The beverage menu includes an array of sakes and Japanese whiskeys, while graphic murals, illuminated street signs, dim lighting, and other back-alley inspired decorative elements inspired by Tokyo. Live DJ entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening turns the dining room into a vibrant nightlife spot. Hash House A Go Go brings its “twisted farm food” concept from Indiana, where it originated, to the Boardwalk. Known for its huge portions, the restaurant serves unique breakfast and lunch fare, including an Andy’s sage fried chicken benedict entrée that features fresh spinach, hardwood smoked bacon, tomatoes, grilled mozzarella, chipotle cream, scrambled eggs and fried chicken, all atop a fresh split biscuit and garnished with griddled mashed potatoes and a fresh fruit garnish. And Live music with dueling pianos, plus a playful mix of classic cocktails, awaits visitors to Gin Rickey’s. Now open at The Quarter at Tropicana, the venue features nightly sing-along performances by local artists, touring musicians, and bands from across the U.S. The cocktail menu offers more than eight Gin Rickey cocktail varieties, plus a range of classic drinks. A late-night menu served on Fridays and Saturdays includes the venue’s signature “twisted biscuits,” which can be filled to order with sweet (e.g., cherry cobbler and hot apple pie) or savory (e.g., pulled pork, chicken, or smoked meat, topped with macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, or whipped potatoes) items.

    • Atlantic City’s steakhouse scene is sizzling even more with the opening of B-Prime Steakhouse at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Billed as a “modern, chic alternative to the classic steakhouse," the restaurant serves steaks sourced from Japan, New Jersey, Idaho, and Texas, along with local produce. Non-carnivores can enjoy fare including Dover sole Veronique, cauliflower steak, organic chicken with a choice of sauces, and scallops. A large selection of raw-bar items is also available.

    • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has announced plans to reinvest a minimum of $20 million in capital improvements to the property. Most of the investment has been earmarked for a renovation of the casino resort’s 66 Celebrity and 25 Roxy suites. Other enhancements include upgrades to the resort’s meeting and convention space and indoor pool; the addition of gaming units in the Asian and High Limit areas of the casino; and an expansion of the main casino floor and cage areas to include new table games and slot machines. Upgrades of the Hard Rock Beach Bar will involve the construction of new restrooms and the addition of more than 1,000 beach chairs. Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill is the newest restaurant to join the resort's lineup of dining venues. The menu features an eclectic seasonal fare designed for sharing.

    Meeting Hotels
    by number of meeting rooms
    Harrah's Resort Atlantic City60
    Tropicana Atlantic City52
    Bally's Atlantic City33
    Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa24
    Resorts Casino Hotel24
    Hard Rock Hotel & Casino20
    Ocean Resort Casino20
    Caesars Atlantic City17
    The Claridge16
    MGM Tower at Borgata14
    Find event venue

    • Resorts Casino Hotel has reopened its rooftop pool, adding a retractable roof that will enable the pool and pool deck to be used year-round. The enhancement will allow the space to be available for meetings and events. Other new features added  as part of the renovation include a 12-seat, cabana-style bar, an upgraded fitness center, and 100 new loungers for the pool enclosure and adjacent outdoor sun deck.  

    • A new branch of Chicken Guy!, a restaurant concept conceived by celebrity chef Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl,  has hatched at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. The bill of fare includes a variety of chicken tenders that are brined and infused with herbs. The menu includes 22 signature dipping sauces, sandwiches, salads and tasty fries. 

    • A honeybee colony has been installed on the roof at Tanger Outlets Atlantic City in partnership with social beekeeping company Alvéole. The latest extension of Tanger Outlets’ commitment to environmental responsibility, the seasonal program integrates sustainability practices locally and highlights the importance of building back biodiversity within communities.  As part of the program, the center hosts educational bee workshops for visitors and retailers, with resident beekeeper Allison Gratton providing a hands-on, interactive experience. Artisanal honey produced by the bees is shared with the community.

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    • The 23,100-square-foot Adrian Philips Theater at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall features a stage with a 48-foot proscenium opening, as well as an open-air loggia that overlooks the beach and Boardwalk. With a capacity ranging from 1,000 people in rounds to 3,200 in theater-style seating, the facility is suitable for a variety of functions, including theatrical events, concerts, galas and banquets.
     
    • Hold your event in a tented space perched 1,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Reef Oasis at the Steel Pier serves a wide variety of fare, with catering packages that include everything from barbecue favorites, sliders, crab cakes and a clam bake to Italian specialties and freshly carved roast beef. Groups using the venue can also enjoy optional extras, like bonfires on the beach, assorted rides and amusements, and helicopter journeys.

    Things To Do in A.C.

    Getting Active & Outdoors

    • Get your golf on: Casino gambling and sports books are not the only games in town. Golf is another option, especially now that several previously private courses in and near the destination are open for public play. One of the oldest facilities of its kind in the U.S., the layout at the Atlantic City Country Club has been named the number-one public golf course in New Jersey by Golf Week, Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. The course is known for its finely manicured fairways and large sloping green complexes protected by sand bunkers. Long carries over natural ponds and saltwater marshes make a formidable challenge for any golfer. The Vineyard National Golf Course at Renault at Renault Winery Resort & Golf features a 7,200-yard layout with vineyard views. Meandering subtly through South Jersey’s Pinelands, the course offers challenges at every turn — such as an island green surrounded by treacherous bunkers at the third hole, and a bentgrass hollow at the 10th hole. Situated on 350 acres of land, the Ballamor Golf Club has wide, easy-to-hit fairways and large greens. One highlight is the 15th hole, a 347-yard par four with a challenging tee shot. After clearing the water, players must decide whether to carry a massive bunker on the left corner of a dogleg with a 220-yard drive or take a long shot with bunkers everywhere in sight.

    • Atlantic City’s Inlet neighborhood will be home to North Beach Mini Golf, slated to open on the Boardwalk at Euclid Avenue this year. With views of Absecon Lighthouse and Absecon Inlet, the attraction will feature a natural motif with greenery, nautical elements, and flowing water. Several of the course’s holes will pay homage to Atlantic City’s casino gaming heritage. Bike rentals will be available as well.

    • Don’t have time to hit the greens? Topgolf Swing Suite at Ocean Casino Resort offers an immersive experience with seven private bays to play; food; beverages, and views of the ocean and Boardwalk.
     
    • Bike the boards: A bicycle ride is one of the best ways to experience Atlantic City's famed five-mile Boardwalk and all it offers. Cycle nonstop or pause to enjoy ocean views, shops, restaurants, bars and traditional beach-resort treats like salt water taffy and fudge.

    • Ride the waves: Atlantic City has three surfing beaches: Crystal Beach at New Hampshire Avenue, Delaware Avenue Beach and Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue. Several surf shops on the Boardwalk, including AC Surf School, provide surfing lessons as well as rent out equipment. Paddleboard rentals and lessons also are available.

    • All aboard: Boardwalk Tram Service operates electric tramcars that transport visitors anywhere along the Boardwalk from the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Atlantic City to the Tropicana Casino and Resort. Adult fare is $4 one way and $8 for an all-day pass; group rates are available on request.

    Extending Your Trip in Atlantic City

    • Atlantic City’s aptly nicknamed Little Water District is home to three adjacent venues: The Seed: A Living Beer Project, Little Water Distillery, and Westecunk Axe Throwing. A 5,000-square-foot craft brewery and tasting room, The Seed features a seven-barrel brewing system with nine taps and a dedicated side-pull lager line. Its menu of specialties includes saisons (highly carbonated pale ales) and mixed-fermentation ales made from local fruits, grains, and botanicals. In addition to libations produced on its premises, Little Water Distillery offers a 30-minute tour during which visitors can enjoy a tasting of its spirits and an overview of its history and distilling process. The tour operates every Friday at 5 pm and on weekends at 1 pm. Westecunk Axe Throwing is open to individual visitors and can be booked for small groups.

    Mad for Macaroons
    Mad for Macaroons
    The G. Carl Tripician Co. has been making macaroons since 1910, when the shop was set up on the Boardwalk. The almond and coconut delights are made with the original recipe and join a delicious slate of modern delectables. 

    • History lesson: Journey back in time by climbing the 228 steps of the Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, which recently underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration and now features a Fresnel Lens exhibit in its original Oil House, a museum, and a replica of the original light keeper’s cottage.

    • Retail therapy: From quaint boutiques and kitschy stores on the Boardwalk to malls and outlet centers, Atlantic City is a paradise for shoppers. The Quarter at Tropicana beckons with more than 25 luxury shops. Tanger Outlets Atlantic City is the place to go for discounts on a wide variety of brand-name merchandise, including apparel, shoes, home furnishings and accessories.
     
    • See the Cape: Not far from Atlantic City — and well worth the short trip — is the seaside resort town of Cape May. Stroll the Historic District for a look at the Victorian architecture for which Cape May is known. The Emlen Physick Estate, built in 1879, offers a glimpse of life as it was lived more than 100 years ago. Eclectic and traditional shops, along with restaurants, line the Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian promenade that spans three blocks.

    • A corking good time: Take a break from cocktails and casinos with a visit to one or more wineries in the Atlantic City region. Bellview Winery in Landisville produces more than 20 estate-grown varietals and more than two-dozen wines. Renault Winery, one of the oldest continuously operating establishments of its kind in the U.S., is now being revitalized by Vivamee Hospitality to reflect the vision of Master Vintner Louis Nicholas Renault, who hailed from Rheims, France, and established his winery in Egg Harbor City in 1864. Hamilton is home to Plagido's Winery, which specializes in hand-crafted, artisanal wines produced from small lots of grapes using a basket press, as well as DiMatteo Vineyards and Winery, whose Pasquale Red, Chambourcin, Niagara and other varietals are consistently featured in the Winner’s Circle at the prestigious International Wine Competition and other events.

    Sports Betting in A.C.

    The legalization of sports betting in New Jersey puts Atlantic City at the forefront of being able to support esports, while legally betting on esports. Today, in Atlantic City you can place sports bets at any of the nine casinos Sportsbooks and online!

    In Walking Distance

    The following are in walking distance of the Atlantic City Convention Center:

    Grab a bite (and a brew): The historic Tun Tavern, Atlantic City's first brew pub, offers a rotating menu of handcrafted beers along with casual fare. Lunch specialties include a "super-sized pretzel" served with Ale-infused cheese sauce, sweet stout mustard and cheddar crab dip; or try the Blue Claw Fries covered in melted cheddar cheese and blue claw crabmeat, and dusted with Old Bay seasoning.

    For another extensive beer menu plus pub fare prepared from locally sourced ingredients, check out Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar. Wingcraft's "The Manhattan Project" burger, named the "#1 Burger in South Jersey" by At the Shore magazine, is topped with smoked gouda cheese, crispy fried onions and honey barbecue steak sauce.

      More Food & Fun in Atlantic City

      • The Orange Loop, the three-block expanse is chock-full of one-of-a-kind restaurants, bars and live music venues and this hip district continues to grow. Among the venues are attractions here are Rhythm and Spirits and Bar 32 Chocolate & Cocktails. Bar32’s menu includes a wide variety of desserts made with its own hand-crafted chocolate, as well as cocktails. The Bar32 Chocolate & Cocktails experience also includes music, with playlists tailored to each of the establishment’s chocolate bars. All chocolate is made from premium cacao beans and incorporates ingredients from around the world.

      • Cardinal has opened at the South New York Avenue site that previously housed the now-shuttered Bourre. Featuring contemporary American cuisine, the restaurant offers an all-day menu at the bar and an a la carte menu of dinner items “from the sea, the garden, and the farm.” Cardinal will also serve craft cocktails and wine, as well as non-alcoholic cocktails and a selection of locally brewed beers and spirits.

      • Attention, dog lovers: A second location of Philadelphia’s iconic Good Dog Bar has opened on Atlantic Avenue in a spot previously occupied by the long-shuttered RL Lounge. The venue features a patio where dogs are welcome, 5,000-square-foot, 96-seat offers two “pooch-themed” floors with two full-size bars, and a second-floor game room. The menu focuses on locally sourced, fresh food, with options like wings that have been brined for 48 hours before being cooked, burgers hand-stuffed with Roquefort cheese, poke bowls, Vietnamese Banh Mi, and daily specials prepared primarily from freshly caught seafood. A comprehensive bar menu extends beyond “draughts, cans, bottles, and wine” to include signature cocktails such as the Social Butterfly, made with Tito’s, cucumber mint butterfly pea flower syrup, fresh lemon, and prosecco.

      • Dos Caminos Mexican restaurant at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City in the center of the casino floor, has opened. It has a ceviche bar and a menu that features Dos Caminos’ “killer guacamole” street food such as queso fundido made with dark beer and pickled jalapenos, skilled-baked nachos with queso and “all the fixings,” nearly a dozen taco options, and traditional plates like enchiladas with mole poblano, chiles rellenos, and fajitas. Specialty dishes will include skillet chimichangas, skirt steak asada, mole short ribs, and Oaxacan shrimp quesadillas.  

      • Cuzzie’s Pizzeria Kitchen is the newest addition to the roster of dining venues found along the increasingly vibrant beach block of Tennessee Avenue. The restaurant bills itself as “pushing the boundaries” of pizza, with offerings included a square pie with pepperoni cups. 

      • Atlantic City’s The Seed: A Living Beer Project has been ranked first on the USA TODAY 10BEST “Best New Brewery” list for 2021. The 5,000-square-foot craft brewery and tasting room features a seven-barrel brewing system with nine taps and a dedicated side-pull lager line. Specialties include saisons (highly carbonated pale ales) and mixed-fermentation ales made from local fruits, grains and botanicals. 

      • Attendees can participate in friendly competition at Westecunk Axe Throwing.

      • Book a tour or tasting for your group at Little Water Distillery, a craft distillery founded by brothers Mark and Eric Ganter.

      • Boardwalk sweets: Atlantic City is known as the Salt Water Taffy Capital of the World, and James’ Candy Company, offering dozens and dozens of flavors, is the perfect place to get your fix. For $5, you can enjoy a 30- to 40-minute tour to see how the candy — as well as James’ caramels — is made. Steel's Fudge has been an Atlantic City staple since 1919, when Elizabeth and Howard Steel started selling the confection prepared from an old family recipe that’s still in use today. Flavors range from traditional options like chocolate, chocolate walnut and vanilla to more unusual choices such as pumpkin, pistachio and chocolate turtle caramel. Once featured on the Food Network, Steel’s also offers salt water taffy, popcorn and macaroons. Ices from TLC's Polish Water Ice boast a creamy texture and are made fresh daily. New flavors are added to the menu every year; this year, look for sour blast blue raspberry and cola. Vanina’s Ice Cream is a one-stop shop for all the classic shore treats you can think of: soft and hard ice cream (atop a waffle, if you’d like), fried Oreos, fried cheesecake, fried pickles, smoothies, slushies, fresh-squeezed lemonade and funnel cake.

      • Solving mysteries is the fun on tap at Escape AC, housed in the Tropicana. Players are given an hour to discover clues, solve puzzles and break out of one of four Atlantic City–themed rooms: The Poker Room, Casino Cage, the Boardwalk and Backstage. Success rates for sleuths vary between 5 percent and 25 percent. Escape AC accommodates groups of up to 200 people, with 40 players hunting for the way out per round.

      • Thrilling obstacle courses across 80 acres of forest fields await at AC Paintball. Large groups of up to 100 players can test out the Black Ops course, while smaller teams can square off on the Hyperball Field. Bookings can be made for full- or half-day experiences.

      • A taste of Brooklyn Italian cuisine can be savored at Cafe 2825. Staying true to the owners’ Brooklyn and Southern Italian roots, the famous eatery serves fare prepared from fresh, authentic ingredients. House specialties include Sunday Gravy (homemade meatballs, bracciole and Italian sausage in red gravy, accompanied by rigatoni) and Chicken Sorrentino ala Jacquelina (francese-style chicken breast layered with eggplant, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh tomato), among others. Café 2825 is also known for offering “tableside experiences,” such as the preparation of burrata-style fresh mozzarella cheese straight from the curd; it’s then sliced and served warm with sauteed tomatoes and homemade ricotta topping.

      Among other top restaurants in Atlantic City are: 



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