Guide to Meeting & Event Planning in

Ocean City, Md.

New & Coming Soon to Ocean City 

• Ocean City celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and will mark the milestone with “150 Years of Smiles,” a program that will feature special offerings at hotels, restaurants and attractions throughout the year. Annual events including Springfest, Sunfest and Winterfest will be enhanced this year with anniversary-themed features, while new monthly celebrations include a Dine, Shop & Play Around Town program that offers special deals at various businesses around the city.

• A new event, Boardwalk Rock, will debut May 17-18, 2025. The event  features an impressive lineup of rock performers, including Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Nickelback and Shinedown.

• Ocean City’s meeting and tourism professionals can assist with planners with services including site inspections, hotel sourcing and negotiation, connecting with local vendors and unique experiences, and obtaining local messaging from community leaders. Team members include Kim Mueller, director of sales, Ashley Johnson, convention sales manager, Chip Woytowitz, sports and events sales, and Nicole Olsen, sales and partner relations.

• Ocean City's inaugural Wine & Seafood Festival, scheduled to take place on September 6, 2025, celebrates the city’s coastal gastronomy with an array of live entertainment and activities at Northside Park. Attendees will be able to see cooking demonstrations with guest chefs, participate in wine tastings, learn from mixology demonstrations and enjoy live musical performances. 

• The Roland E. Powell Convention Center has unveiled its $1 million renovation, which began in December of 2022.  Local artist Abbi Custis brings a lighthearted feel of the community to the venue; it has been transformed into a space that fosters creativity and connection, full of color, texture, and visual elements.

• The convention center is a green facility. In 2024, it has created more than 90 compost cans, prevented the use of an estimated 180 plastic bag liners and diverted more than 10,000 pounds of food waste. In addition, the facility partners with Go Green OC, a local grassroots organization dedicated to promoting zero waste through education, program implementation and collaboration.

• A new video showcases Ocean City’s recent sustainability initiatives, including volunteer community cleanups and composting programs at The Hobbit restaurant and the Ashore Resort & Beach Club. Since 2019, 20-plus local businesses have diverted more than a million pounds of food waste.

• Spain Wine Bar, an upscale venue located at the Cambria Hotel Ocean City Bayfront, has been named the best rooftop bar in Maryland by an online resource called the Rooftop Guide. Spain features a sophisticated menu of Spanish cuisine and international wines and spirits, and offers private and semi-private options for groups of up to 500 guests. 

• Two waterfront hotels are sporting refreshed style, thanks to a major investment by Blue Water Development, which owns the properties. The SeaLoft Oceanfront Hotel is wrapping up a $4.7 million renovation that includes new flooring and carpeting, new furnishings and amenities that are in line with its “retro luxury” vibe: retro-style refrigerators and dining tables. Another property, Commander Hotel & Suites, has received a $2 million infusion that resulted in a refreshed lobby and restaurant, as well as new furnishings in guest rooms and the pool area.

• Hyatt Place Ocean City, which has 1,567 square feet of meeting and event space, is expanding. When the addition is completed, the property will have a total of 170 guest rooms, as well as another outdoor pool, breakfast area and parking.

• 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. Ocean City is proud to be an official partner with Go Green OC, working together to bring about positive change for the community and the environment. The ultimate aspiration is to make Ocean City the “first zero waste resort town in the United States,” setting an example for sustainable tourism and demonstrating that small changes can make a significant impact. Event organizers will now have the opportunity to work with the Go Green OC team to receive an official Zero-Waste Certification from the city for their conference.

• 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 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. 

• One of the newest names in Ocean City’s hospitality scene is the Ashore Resort & Beach Club, which opened in April 2023 as a reimagining of the former Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort. Renovations have brought a new, upscale sheen to the property, which has a 40,000-square-foot conference center with 16 conference rooms, as well as multiple dining venues and a new, 3,000-square-foot deck that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The property has been awarded top recognition as one of ten "Best New Hotels" in America for 2024, according to the USA Toda 10 Best Awards. 

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.

• The Ocean City area is home to several group-friendly distilleries that can add some spirit to any get-together. Forgotten 50 Distilling, for example, specializes in boutique liquors and small-batch spirits, complemented by a menu of lunch and dinner items. Seacrets Distilling accommodates groups of up to 70 for private events, with tours and tastings available. 

•  Go Ape is an adventure park that offers an array of team-building and leadership programs that make good use of the attraction’s zipline, ropes course and other activities designed to enhance the connection among attendees. 

• 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 137-room 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. Its South Lawn offers waterfront views and space for 250 guests.

• 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. It is expected to reopen in summer 2024. The new Downtown Recreation Complex will feature a grassed open space, a new playground, two basketball courts and shared-use asphalt tennis and pickleball courts. 

• 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.

• Ocean City is bustling with the energy of unique activities in the autumn months. Groups can participate in the destination’s creative scene in new ways, thanks to programs offered by Bay Hopper, a water taxi service in partnership with the Art League of Ocean City. Afternoon Art League Adventure, which includes a private tour of the organization’s exhibits, is October 1, 8, and 15. The Unleash Your Creativity cruise, a hands-on art experience set aboard one of Bay Hopper’s boats, is offered on October 2, 9 and 16.    

• Among Ocean City’s most popular fall festivals are OCtoberfest, the Shore Craft Beer Fest and Sunfest, which attracts thousands of attendees for four days of free musical performances, representing styles including rock, country and R&B. 

• The Ocean City Performing Arts Center hosts a robust array of live entertainment throughout the year. Performances in 2024 include The Simon & Garfunkel Story, Come From Away, Jay Leno and Menopause the Musical. The 1,200-seat theater is located inside the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

• Groups can test their skills in new ways at Nick’s Mini Golf, which recently debuted the city’s first ropes course. The Jurassic Ropes Course can be combined with mini golf and refreshments for private group events.

• For picturesque outings that take in Ocean City’s natural beauty, consider a group activity with Sea Rocket Adventures. The company offers a variety of experiences, including parasailing, speed boat dolphin-watching cruises, sunset cruises  and  private boat tours that can be tailored to each group’s needs.

• 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 the Egyptian Tomb/Mayan Temple. The venue hosts corporate events and team building programs for up to 25 players in one location.

• 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.

• 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.  Opening this spring are the Berlin Beer Company and Yaks and Tracks, which offer railbike tours.

• 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. 

• 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.

• Ocean City has become a hub for yoga enthusiasts with an increasing number of yoga studios, classes, and retreats available for both locals and tourists. Spas offer luxurious treatments, including massages, facials, body wraps, and aromatherapy. Some offer salt rooms and hydrotherapy sessions, where clients can relax in warm salt water infused with other minerals. Among wellness venues to try are Ocean Elements; Institute of Aesthetic Medicine; Creative Day Spa and Ocean City Yoga.