Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in

Ocean City, Md.

New & Coming Soon to Ocean City 

• The Roland E. Powell Convention Center will begin an interior renovation in July  that will bring refreshed style to the facility. The new look will feature warm, modern design elements, with nods to Ocean City’s appeal as a resort destination and the use of circles — similar to Ocean City’s own logo — to represent smiles and the infinite opportunities for groups at the venue. In addition, the convention center is currently offering incentives for off-season, mid-week conventions and other group events in 2024 and 2025 booked by December 31, 2023. The offers include financial concessions, in-kind marketing support and rent reduction. Contact director of sales Kim Mueller at kmueller@oceancitymd.gov for more information. To build interest in Ocean City as a meetings destination, the tourism office also recently debuted a new video.

• Planners can infuse events with an offbeat vibe at Seacrets, which will soon debut a new venue called Seacrets Area 51, a 1,800-square-foot space featuring antique stained-glass windows and inspiring bay views.

• With sustainability growing as a priority for meeting planners and stakeholders, Ocean City is proving its worth as an eco-friendly place to meet, thanks to the presence of local environmental organizations like Go Green OC, which is working toward a goal of zero waste. This year, Ocean County Tourism is helping convention center events to achieve the same goal, working with meeting planners to achieve a zero-waste certification from Go Green OC. In addition, the tourism office is participating in initiatives including community composting, beach cleanups and educational programs, and nearly 30 restaurants are expected to participate in a new compost program.

• Ocean City has unveiled a new campaign that highlights its appeal for those looking for an ideal warm-weather destination that’s within an easy drive eastern U.S. cities. “Catch a Ride,” is being promoted through a mobile pop-up event tour that also ties in with a new brand platform, “Somewhere to Smile About.”  Among the first to witness the new brand reveal was a group of meeting planners who participated in a fam trip in early May. The visit, which showcased the destination’s many offerings for the MICE segment, included hotel site inspections and tours of group-friendly area attractions like Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery, the historic town of Berlin and Assateague Island National Seashore Park.

• The former Dunes Manor has been reflagged as the Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront. The upgraded property has meeting space and a business center, as well as an indoor pool; it is currently taking reservations for July 1, 2023, and beyond. Also getting ready to show off a fresh look is the Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort, which offers 40,000 square feet of meeting space; the property is under new ownership and is in the midst of a multi-million-dollar renovation. And the Holiday Inn Oceanfront is sporting refreshed interiors and a full overhaul of its outdoor space and pool; the property has 6,700 square feet of meeting space. 

• Developers have proposed to build a Margaritaville Hotel and Resort on Ocean City's Boardwalk. Plans call for a 265-room property that will include three restaurants, three outdoor pools, a fitness center and 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space. 

More Meeting & Event Venues in Ocean City

• The 250,000-square-foot Roland E. Powell Convention Center offers 75,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 19,126 square-foot Bayfront Ballroom, 15,000 square-foot Bayfront gallery, 21 meeting rooms, two executive boardrooms and a 1,200-seat Performing Arts Center. 

• Among the top group-friendly hotels in Ocean City is the Princess Royal Oceanfront Resort, which is billed as the largest oceanfront resort in Maryland. The property features 10 meeting rooms as well as a 300-person ballroom and two outdoor venues. Guests can also make use of an Olympic-sized indoor pool, a spa and five food and beverage outlets

• There’s a new way to say “cheers” in Ocean City. Group-friendly restaurant Embers  has added a new, onsite microbrewery, The Other One Brewing Co. The facility, which shares a dog-friendly courtyard with the neighboring Blu Crabhouse, has private meeting and event space and serves a wide variety of brews as well as beer-inspired cocktails. It’s a great place to sample local favorites like Hoop Tea, a spiked iced tea that was born on the boardwalk of Ocean City.

• The Cambria Hotel Ocean City – Bayfront, located near the boardwalk, is a stylishly furnished property with an outdoor pool, business center, tiki bar, poolside cabanas and more than 2,400 square feet of meeting and event space.  
• For a relaxed vibe near the beach, groups can consider a visit to Fager’s Island, which is home to the award-winning Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar. The venue has lots of outdoor seating and serves a sophisticated menu of American and Pacific Rim cuisine.

• Fresh seafood and Angus beef are among the specialties at Harbor Watch Restaurant, which is located on the southern end of the Ocean City boardwalk. The venue offers banquet menus and space for up to 250 guests for private events.  

• Groups can savor a variety of noteworthy wines at the Windmill Creek Vineyard, which serves reds, whites and a new line of fruit wine. The venue also offers fine dining at its Mariner House restaurant and frequently hosts live musical performances. 

Sports Venues in Ocean City

• The Roland E. Powell Convention Center can accommodate a full range of indoor sporting events, while the Performing Arts Center can host a variety of events including cheer and dance competitions, and award ceremonies.

• Northside Park, Ocean City’s largest and most popular park facility, is located just 11 miles from the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. The 58-acre complex is well-suited for sporting activities, thanks to its impressive array of facilities, which include walking and jogging paths, three lighted softball/baseball fields, a lighted soccer field, a multipurpose sports field and even a fishing lagoon. Concession stands, two piers and a gazebo add to the venue’s appeal. Groups can also make use of a 14,200-square-foot gymnasium, complete with kitchen, community room, conference room and a sports annex with a 21,000-square-foot arena.

• Additional public parks with sports facilities include John Walter Smith Park, which has basketball, tennis and pickleball courts as well as an 18-hole disc golf course, and Newton Park, which has baseball, softball and baseball fields, a walking and mountain bike trail and fishing pond.

• The Ocean City Tennis Center can host a number of tennis activities, including tournaments.

• With 17 championship golf courses surrounded by beautiful landscapes and water views, Ocean City is well-equipped to hold golf tournaments of any size. The destination is also home to several miniature golf courses.

• Skateboarders of all ages and skill levels will find lots to like at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, which is billed as the oldest operating municipal skate park in the United States.The 17,000-square-foot, concrete-based park features an innovative, 13,000-square-foot open concrete street course, complete with hit walls, hips and a small bowl.  

• The nearby town of Berlin is home to a popular facility for sports enthusiasts: the Northern Worcester Atlantic Complex, which has multiple baseball, softball and multipurpose fields as well as walking trails, a pavilion with grills and a concession stand.

• Countless year-round events and attractions in Ocean City provide visitors and groups with exciting options, year round.

• Shopping is an especially rewarding visitor experience, whether it’s fashionable finds at Ragamuffin Jewelry and Clothing, surfboards and accessories at Malibu’s, fishing gear at Pure Lure or unique floral arrangements to take home from Inner Bloom. Ocean City’s website showcases even more options. 

• Events take on a decidedly festive vibe at Trimper Rides, Ocean City’s oldest amusement park. The family-friendly attraction’s party packages are available for a minimum of 10 guests, and all participants receive a Mega Pass, which provides free access to all rides, including bumper cars and the 1912 Herschell Spilman carousel. Add-on amenities include souvenirs, catering and use of a private party room.

• Attendees may be accustomed to facing challenges during their daily work life, but they’ll find their wits tested in new ways at Escapomania, an escape room chain with multiple Ocean City locations. Themed rooms include Black Sail’s Lost Treasure, Poltergeist and — debuting in summer 2023 — the Egyptian Tomb/Mayan Temple. The venue hosts corporate events and team building programs for up to 25 players in one location

• Groups can take their programs to new heights at the Sun Outdoors Frontier Town High  Ropes Park. Team-building activities take place on three courses, each designed with a different level of difficulty. Participants can enjoy the thrills as they conquer 47 obstacles while zooming along zip lines and scramble between platforms made of wood, ropes and cable. 

• Outdoor sports can provide an ideal complement to events during warmer months in Ocean City. Biking, for example, is fun along the oceanfront boardwalk as well as in Northside Park and the Assateague National Seashore.

  • Teeing off takes on new dimensions for groups at Old Pro Golf, which has four colorfully themed outdoor courses at two different Ocean City locations: the 68th Street Undersea Adventure & Dinosaur Park and the 136th Street Safari Village & Caribbean Pirate course. As the names suggest, Old Pro Golf provides lots of memorable photo opportunities, with mechanized figures, creative obstacles, water features and landscaping. The venue is perfect for friendly competition that works for various age and ability levels.

• Tap into some new local excitement at Sinepuxent Brewing Company, one of the region’s newest breweries. Located on a 17-acre farm, the facility features a tasting room that stocks farmhouse ales produced onsite. Depending on the season, groups can also pick strawberries and blueberries, feed goats and partake in a variety of games.  

• Planners can infuse their programs with ghoulish fun with private tours led by Chesapeake Ghost Walks. The company also offers Ghost Storytelling Sessions, led by a trained storyteller, that can take place in any venue the planner chooses. 

• Ocean City eatery Liquid Assets offers customized group menus with dishes including a meaty pot pie and local flounder Rockefeller. An extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu complements the culinary offerings.  

• Just 15 minutes from Ocean City is Berlin, which Smithsonian named as one of the 20 Best Small Towns to Visit. Located just 15 minutes from Ocean City. Among its attractions s are the Globe Restaurant and Bar, the Burley Oak Brewing Company, and art strolls that take place on the second Friday of every month.  

• The OC Foodie Walking Tour takes groups on a tasty outing around Ocean City, diving into culinary traditions as well as the town’s rich history.

• The Ocean City Boardwalk is a scenic pathway that stretches from the southern point of Ocean City, running north for approximately 46 blocks. Known for its varied food offerings, arcades and rides (including multiple Ferris wheels and a carousel that dates to 1902), it’s a delightful place to stroll. 

• Maryland's only ocean park is located on Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Sinepuxent Bay. Two miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. Groups can also canoe to secluded coves on the island’s bayside and spot deer and feral horses in the beautiful marsh areas. 

• Fishing and sightseeing charters are among the most popular outdoor activities for groups visiting Ocean City. Attendees can find excitement on the water with the Islander, a six-passenger, 26-foot Mako Center Console boat available for fishing and scenic cruises. Planners can arrange two- to four-hour excursions that depart from the Fisherman’s Marina in West Ocean City. 

• Groups can learn about the history of the U.S. Life Saving Service, a government agency dedicated to saving the lives of shipwrecked people in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. The facility offers discounts on private tours for groups of 20 to 60.

• Golf enthusiasts won't want to miss taking a swing at Eagle's Landing, a renowned Ocean City golf course. The only Maryland course that's certified as an Audubon Sanctuary, Eagle's Landing offers a noteworthy mix of sporting activities and natural beauty, with views of both Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague National Seashore. The course is appropriate for players from beginner to pro, and groups can make use of the Caddy Shack Café, which seats up to 130 people inside and 40 on the outside deck. 

• The destination's appeal to golfers is legendary. And now, the destination’s new resident golf expert, former golf pro and current golf broadcaster David Feherty, is making it easier for visitors to discover the best places to tee off, with his own online guide to great golf experiences in and around Ocean City. His new video on the official Ocean City YouTube channel can be used to build attendee excitement for the destination. 
 
• Ocean City's prime oceanfront location makes fishing charters a natural choice for many groups, especially during the peak fishing months from May to September. Among the many options for private charters is Tortuga Fishing, which operates a 54-foot, 42-passenger boat. Even those not interested in fishing can enjoy the views during private party and sightseeing cruises.  
 
• Talbot Street Watersports offers an 80-minute cruise along the region's coastal bays. Guests can view wild ponies and bird species, visit a marine animal "touch park" and enjoy the scenery of Assateague Island, a 37-mile-long barrier island. Private sailings for up to 80 guests are accommodated.

• Planners can infuse their programs with artistic vibes at The Art League of Ocean City Center for the Arts, which features a spacious, two-story gallery, a pottery studio, art library and five working artist studios. The work of regional and local artists is the focus of the exhibits here and facility rentals are available.