In 2024, Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission experienced one of their most successful years to date, with 200 events and conventions taking over the city throughout the year. To kick off the new year, Atlantic City is not slowing down with a packed schedule of conventions, sporting events and more, welcoming back popular events, including The Pool & Spa Show, Tri-State CAMP Conference 2025, and The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival.
“This is such an exciting time to be a part of Visit Atlantic City, and we expect 2025 to be a year filled with successful events and conventions,” said Gary Musich, President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission. “The Orange Loop is one area in particular that we’re expecting to see several reinvestment, including a new boutique hotel breaking ground and updates to the many restaurants in the district. Winter is a great time to visit our seaside destination, and we hope that visitors will explore this hidden-gem of Atlantic City while they’re visiting for the many events and activities happening this quarter.”
Q1 CONVENTIONS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY
The Pool & Spa Show will take place from Jan. 28 – 30 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. During this event, attendees will hear about new technologies in the pool and spa industry, gain must-have industry certifications through on-site courses and network with other spa and pool professionals. The show expects 11,268 attendees, 7,885 room nights and $11,113,177 in economic impact.
New Jersey Music Educators Association 2025 State Conference
This year’s New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conference will take place from Feb. 20 – 21 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Music educators from across the state will enjoy dedicated concert hours that feature several student performance groups from throughout the Northeast. The event expects 2,000 attendees, 988 room nights and $1,209,338 in economic impact.
Law students hopeful to be admitted to the New Jersey Bar will sit for the New Jersey Bar Exam at the Atlantic City Convention Center from Feb. 25 – 26. The event expects 400 attendees, 60 room nights and $146,967 in economic impact.
Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show 2025
As the one-stop shop for boats, boating accessories and on-the-water adventures, the Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show has something in store for every boat enthusiast. Not only will there be hundreds of vessels on display, but there will be plenty of interactive boating exhibits the whole family will love. The event takes place from Feb. 26 – March 2 at the Atlantic City Convention Center and expects 40,000 attendees, 572 room nights and $8,624,120 in economic impact.
Tri-State CAMP Conference 2025
The Tri-State CAMP Conference will take place from March 11 – 13 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. It is the largest gathering of camp professionals in the world, with a community of over 3,200 that will come together to learn at over 160 educational sessions, find new products and services at their 300+ booth exhibit hall, and best of all, spend time with like-minded people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children. The event expects 3,893 attendees, 1,977 room nights and $2,675,779 in economic impact.
The 2025 Impressions Expo is coming to the Atlantic City Convention Center March 19 – 22, providing individuals in the decorated apparel industry with a firsthand look into new products, services and trends that are shaping the industry. The Impressions Expo will be filled with top exhibitors ranging from apparel screen printing equipment, multi-head embroidery machines, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing options, heat-applied rhinestone designs, neon inks, performance stretch inks, sublimation equipment and more. The event expects 4,900 attendees, 1,896 room nights and $3,934,839 in economic impact.
The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center on March 29. The 19th annual Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival will feature over 100 breweries showcasing their finest craft beers, live entertainment and much more. The event expects 18,000 attendees, 318 room nights and $4,692,351 in economic impact.
Q1 SPORTING EVENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY
28th Annual Starstruck Invitational
From Jan. 17 – 19, the 28th Annual Starstruck Invitational will be returning to the Atlantic City Convention Center for a weekend filled with outstanding gymnastic competitions. The event expects 4,000 attendees, 1,080 room nights and $1,459,374 in economic impact.
Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City will again be home to the NAPA AUTO PARTS Indoor Auto Racing Series Jan. 31 – Feb. 1. This year’s race weekend will once again showcase the high-speed TQ Midgets, purpose-built race cars powered by 750cc motorcycle engines, competing in main events on both nights on a 1/10th mile oval track set up on the arena floor. In addition to the TQ Midgets, the weekend will also host three support divisions: 600 Sprints, Slingshots, and Champ Karts, promising an action-packed lineup for motorsport enthusiasts. The show expects 11,000 attendees, 952 room nights and $2,223,716 in economic impact.
U.S. Futsal Northeast Regional Championship 2025
The U.S. Futsal Northeast Regional Championship, the largest Futsal Competition in the United States, will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center between Feb. 14 – 17. Futsal is a type of soccer that is played indoors on a court much smaller than a traditional soccer pitch. The smaller field size ensures a game of Futsal is fast-paced and more intense, with more opportunity for goal scoring. The event expects 7,000 attendees, 6,000 room nights and $5,667,656 in economic impact.
NJSIAA Wrestling Championship 2025
Returning to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall from March 6 – 8, the 2025 NJSIAA Wrestling Championship will showcase the top high school wrestlers from across the state. The event expects 34,162 attendees, 436 room nights and $5,719,088 in economic impact.
2025 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships
The Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will take place from March 11 – 15 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The MAAC basketball tournament determines the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s champion and the winner of the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. The event expects 10,000 attendees, 1,928 room nights and $3,764,289 in economic impact.
WHAT’S NEW IN ATLANTIC CITY
The Orange Loop Welcomes New Boutique Hotel, The Top Hat
Atlantic City’s Orange Loop district is slated to break ground on a new boutique hotel in Q1 2025, The Top Hat at The Orange Loop. This hotel will feature 1,400 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a boutique hotel-style short-term rental on the upper level. True to its name, the development will be distinguished by a striking Monopoly-inspired design, highlighted by a prominent Top Hat motif. The boutique short-term rental component will offer six thoughtfully designed bedrooms accommodating up to 12 guests, as well as a rooftop deck that boasts sweeping views of Atlantic City. The commercial space will provide opportunities for local businesses to thrive while fostering greater economic activity within the Orange Loop.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Launches On-Site Helipad
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has unveiled its newly constructed on-site helipad, offering convenient helicopter transportation for guests traveling to and from New York City. This project was developed in collaboration with Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC), allowing Borgata to contribute to the local community in a meaningful way. As part of this partnership, Borgata provided ACCC with comprehensive educational content chronicling the helipad’s creation—from the initial planning meetings to footage of its construction and the inaugural landing.
Tennessee Avenue Restaurant Renovations
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall has temporarily closed its doors to undergo a series of renovations. The temporary closure marks the start of a transformation designed to elevate the Beer Hall experience while maintaining its unique charm. As part of the renovations, the team promises to enhance the venue’s aesthetics, optimize functionality, and incorporate innovative elements that complement its reputation as one of Atlantic City’s top live entertainment and dining destinations. Guests can expect new menu items, curated drink options, and a revamped atmosphere that pays homage to its roots while ushering in a bold, forward-thinking vision. Cuzzie’s Pizzeria Kitchen will also be closed for a refresh to complement the new Beer Hall vibe. The Beer Hall and Cuzzie’s are expected to reopen in early 2025. Along with the revamped venues, the growth of Tennessee Avenue continues with the creation of a container park, a transformative project of entertainment and community spaces aimed at further enhancing the vibrancy of Atlantic City. A groundbreaking for this container park expansion is expected during the first quarter of 2025.
The ByrdCage, a LGBTQ+ Restaurant and Bar Set To Open in Atlantic City
The ByrdCage, a new LGBTQ+ owned and operated hotspot, is coming to Atlantic City in early January, bringing vibrant energy to the destination’s day and nightlife scene. The ByrdCage will feature a range of offerings designed to attract locals and visitors alike, including a lively brunch menu, happy hour specials and nightly dining. The first floor will host a piano bar where patrons can enjoy great food and music in a relaxed atmosphere, and the second floor will be home to an entertainment space offering drag shows, theme nights and more fun and inclusive nightlife experiences. This will be the first full-time LGBTQ+ establishment in Atlantic City since the closure of Studio Six in 2004, and is poised to be a landmark venue that will contribute to the continued revitalization of the city’s dynamic culture.
Beach Replenishment Project Underway
Atlantic City is revitalizing its coastline with a significant beach replenishment project led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This initiative will add 1.2 million cubic yards of sand, equivalent to 120,000 dump truck loads, to the shoreline, addressing erosion caused by natural tides and recent storms. The $38.2 million project, which began in late November 2024, is expected to be completed within two to four months, ensuring wider beaches for the upcoming summer season. The restoration focuses on the north end of Atlantic City and includes portions of neighboring Ventnor, with additional dune repairs planned for Margate and Longport.
Photo credit: Visit Atlantic City
