Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission had an eventful kick off to 2024 by hosting over 14 successful events, conventions and conferences generating 39,423 room nights booked and 174,882 attendees, resulting in a total economic impact of $40,430,667. The seaside destination will continue the momentum going into spring by hosting major events and conferences including the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival, CHAMPS Trade Show East and the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) Atlantic City Grand Prix.
“The first quarter of 2024 brought several exciting events to our city, such as The Pool & Spa Show, Alpha Kappa Alpha – North Atlantic Regional Conference and the Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show,” said Larry Sieg, President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City. “We’re looking forward to the continued reinvestment into our community, such as updates to our boardwalk and hotels, which will help put Atlantic City on the map as the go-to seaside destination on the East Coast. Between additions on Tennessee Avenue and renovations at the Golden Nugget, to the opening of the Nobu Hotel, Atlantic City is ramping up for its best year yet.”
Q2 CONVENTIONS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center on April 12 – 13, 2024. For over 17 years, the festival has attracted thousands of visitors each year. This year, the festival will make its return with bands like Saves The Day, Goldfinger and Hot Mulligan to keep the crowds entertained and over 100 breweries pouring more than 400 beers. The event expects 18,000 attendees, 200 room nights and $4,712,637 in economic impact.
The 2024 CHAMPS Trade Show East is celebrating their 25th anniversary at the Atlantic City Convention Center on May 7 – 9, 2024, attracting hundreds of exhibitors to attend the leading counter-culture B2B trade expo serving the smoke shop industry. CHAMPS exhibitors will include manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, glass artists, inventors, and suppliers who showcase specialty products. The event expects 3,000 attendees, 1,071 room nights and $1,550,754 economic impact.
The 12th annual New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) conference will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center on May 16 – 17, 2024, bringing together prevention, treatment and peer recovery professionals to learn about critical issues within the continuum of care. The event expects 1,200 attendees, 235 room nights and $355,872 in economic impact.
The NJAA Conference and Expo 2024
The New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) Conference and Expo will return to the Atlantic City Convention Center from May 21 – 23, 2024. This event attracts the industry’s finest professionals for three days of networking and education. Owners, regional managers, leasing and other industry leaders attend to learn about the latest products and services provided by our vendor members in addition to two outstanding days of education. The event expects 1,525 attendees, 1,418 room nights and $1,616,042 in economic impact.
The 38th Annual Police Security Expo will be held June 25 – 26, 2024 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. This event is the law enforcement industry’s premier showcase and is designed to empower the law enforcement community and unveil industry-leading goods, products and services. The show expects 8,000 attendees, 1,821 room nights and $4,047,598 in economic impact.
Q2 SPORTING EVENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY
April Fools Half Marathon and 8K
The April Fools Half Marathon and 8K will take place on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk on April 6 – 7, 2024. With over five miles of boardwalk, the April Fools Half Marathon offers a shared start and finish line and a fast, flat course along the picturesque Atlantic Ocean. All participants over the age of 21 will receive a ticket for one free beer at either LandShark Bar & Grill or Margaritaville. The event expects 1,200 attendees, 220 room nights and $198,060 in economic impact.
In conjunction with the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival, the Hops Trot 5K will be returning for its eighth annual race on April 13, 2024. Trotters will race through Atlantic City stopping along the way at some of AC’s finest watering holes where they will be encouraged to drink a 2 oz beer before proceeding on.
The Boardwalk Block Party will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center April 20 – 21, 2024. The Boardwalk Block Party offers high school volleyball teams and club families to wrap up the season and prepare for Nationals. The event expects 10,500 attendees, 4,000 room nights and $4,122,810 in economic impact.
Zero Gravity Basketball Presents The Launch
Zero Gravity will return to the Atlantic City Convention Center on April 27 – 28, 2024, where top sneaker and independent programs will be competing for the first annual Launch Championship. Zero Gravity was created to give boys and girls in every grade the experience to have fun and participate in professional basketball tournaments. The Launch will be hosting boys grade three to 12 all throughout the East Coast. The event expects 7,500 attendees, 2,250 room nights and $2,765,775 in economic impact.
The Main Event will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center on May 4 – 5, 2024. The Main Event is part of the Select Events annual basketball circuit, which is one of the leaders of youth basketball markets in the Northeast. The Main Event will be hosting games played between boys in grades three to eight and girls in grades four to eight. The event expects 7,000 attendees, 2,650 room nights and $3,470,044 in economic impact.
The Atlantic City Showcase will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center on May 17 – 19, 2024. The Atlantic City Showcase is part of the Select Events annual basketball circuit which is one of the leaders of youth basketball markets in the Northeast and will host girls in grades six to 12. The event expects 11,500 attendees, 4,000 room nights and $4,079,931 in economic impact.
The Bungalow Beach Boardwalk Run will take place on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk on June 1, 2024. The event is a five-mile race and is a part of the Atlantic City Marathon Race Series set to take place over two hours ending with a final dash to the finish line on the beach into Bungalow Beach Bar. The event expects 500 attendees, 165 room nights and $116,908 in economic impact.
Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) Atlantic City Grand Prix
The OPA Grand Prix will return to Atlantic City on June 22, 2024 in partnership with Visit Atlantic City and the city’s casinos for the most anticipated offshore high-performance race of the year, marking the grand debut of the OPA National Championship Series on the upper east coast of the United States with 72 racing teams. The Grand Prix will be held on the water, allowing spectators to watch from Atlantic City beaches and Boardwalk.
WHAT’S NEW IN ATLANTIC CITY
Nobu Hotel Atlantic City Officially Opens
Nobu Hotel Atlantic City within Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino officially opened to the public. Nobu Hotel Atlantic City, including a Nobu restaurant, is part of Caesars’ $400 million investment in the destination. This investment includes high-end remodeled room towers and suites; freshly appointed interior design elements; enhancements to the casinos’ gaming floors; and many more exciting additions within the next three years. The debut of Nobu Hotel Atlantic City at Caesars Atlantic City will revitalize the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk and raise the hospitality bar by introducing world-class experiences to the market.
New Remodels at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has completed its transformation of Immersion Spa to The Overlook. Located on the 32nd floor of the MGM Tower, the space has been turned into a versatile area with tailor-made event capabilities. The 9,060 square-foot floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows has been turned into a memorable and visually appealing space perfect for special occasions and meetings. Additionally, the hotel is expanding Borgata’s Outdoor Pool footprint to become an oasis and party spot, which will include even more poolside cabanas, new enlarged stage area, and a cover to accommodate outdoor conventions and weddings. The hotel will also add splash pads and a living plant wall to attract a family-friendly visitor, and will be open to the public as well as guests.
The Golden Nugget Atlantic City Begins Room Renovation
The Golden Nugget Atlantic City has begun a multi-million-dollar renovation to the hotel and rooms and suites, with expected completion of phase one by spring 2024. The renovation is aimed to increase the overall guest experience at the hotel, make necessary updates to suites, create luxury bathrooms in all rooms, update interiors, meeting spaces and the casino floor. This newest remodel comes on the heels of additional upgrades at the property, including the addition of the all-new authentic Mexican restaurant Dos Caminos, enhanced redesign of the popular Chart House restaurant, as well as significant meeting space and casino floor upgrades.
Show-stopping Entertainment Takes Over Atlantic City This Spring
Atlantic City is preparing for an all-star line-up of entertainment coming to the city’s various resorts this spring. At Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, spotlighted performers include Bill Maher on May 18 and John Legend on June 21 and; at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, guests will enjoy performances by Mötley Crüe on May 3 and 4, Kelly Clarkson on May 10 and 11 and Steve Martin and Martin Short on May 18; and Ocean Casino Resort will house Comedian Tim Dillion on May 25 and Lynyrd Skynyrd on June 28.
Michael Schulson Set to Open Two New Restaurants in Atlantic City
Chef Michael Schulson is set to open two new restaurants this summer, including Pearl & Mary oyster bar and Samuel’s at Ocean Casino Resort. Pearl & Mary will open its second location at the resort, offering bespoke dishes inspired by classic coastal favorites, including an assorted raw bar, mixed crudo and refreshing cocktails. Samuel’s is Michael’s modern take on the diner experience, taking inspiration from his grandparents who immigrated to the Bronx and opened a kosher butcher shop. Samuel’s American-Jewish inspired menu will include fresh baked breads and pastries, scrumptious salads and signature sandwiches.
The Peach at the Beach Series Takes Over Island Waterpark
A new summer concert series will be taking place at Island Waterpark at Showboat Resort Atlantic City on July 13, 2024. The Peach at the Beach is a spinoff of the Allman Brothers’ peach-themed music festival and will feature a Grateful Dead cover band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, the Asbury Park jam band, Dogs In a Pile, and Trouble No More, who will perform the Allman Brothers’ biggest hits and more.
Tennessee Avenue Container Park Set to Begin Construction in 2025
The Orange Loop is getting a $2.5 million grant to upgrade Tennessee Avenue with a new Container Park that will feature local shops benefiting retail, farmers, artists and educational institutions in the area. Construction will begin in 2025 to transform vacant spaces and turn them into vibrant community hubs.
