History Lesson
New Jersey, one of the original 13 British colonies in North America, was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and in 1790 was the first state to sign the Bill of Rights.
Atlantic City
Earlier this year, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed bill S-11, which authorized the creation of the Atlantic City Tourism District. The state's Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which will be responsible for revitalizing the gaming destination's tourism and convention business, was expected to present its plan last month.
At press time, Gov. Christie's office still was searching for candidates to run the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Former CRDA executive director Thomas Carver resigned in mid-February after Christie made public comments about his desire to see someone else in the position. Since then, Susan Ney Thompson has served as the authority's interim director. Under the governor's plan, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority would become a division within the CRDA.
In another major shift, Gov. Christie signed a measure allowing the development of two new 200-room casino hotels in Atlantic City. One of the new licenses is for a "staged casino," which means the developers may open a 200-room property on the condition they will expand it within five years. New Jersey law previously required casino hotels to have at least 500 rooms.
Casino revenue figures for March 2011 showed a 7 percent decline, year-over-year. These results follow a 1 percent revenue decline in February. In previous months, Atlantic City routinely suffered double-digit declines, suggesting that the local market might finally be stabilizing after a prolonged slump.
The 2,000-room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has completed a renovation of 300 suites. The property currently is refurbishing the rest of its guest rooms and public areas, with completion of the project scheduled for summer 2012.
Revel Entertainment Group announced in February it had completed a financing package to the tune of $1.5 billion, which will enable the company to complete construction of Revel, a casino resort. The property, which will open with 1,100 guest rooms, a 150,000-square-foot casino and a 5,500-seat theater, is expected to debut in June 2012. An additional 800 guest rooms will be phased in afterward, and a second tower is planned, which will push Revel's total room count to 3,800
Landry's, the parent company of Nevada's Golden Nugget Las Vegas and Golden Nugget Laughlin, has agreed to purchase the Trump Marina Casino and Hotel from Trump Entertainment Resorts for $38 million. The 728-room property will be rebranded as the Golden Nugget Atlantic City and will undergo a head-to-toe renovation set for completion by the end of this year.
Trump Entertainment Resorts, which owns and operates the 2,032-room Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel, the 904-room Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel, and, until its sale in March, the 728-room Trump Marina Casino and Hotel, emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization -- the property's third time under such circumstances -- last year.
Gomes Gaming Inc. purchased the Resorts Casino Hotel last December. The property offers 942 guest rooms in the 13-story Ocean Tower and 28-story Rendezvous Tower, along with 100,000 square feet of gaming space and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. A renovation of 480 guest rooms is slated for completion this month.
Seaview, a Dolce Resort, reopened in March following a two-month renovation of its 297 guest rooms. The Galloway Township property was purchased by Richard Stockton College last year. The college plans to use part of the resort for student housing and intends to develop a hotel management program.
The 2,133-room Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Resort, which was purchased by investor Carl Icahn last year, has been awarded an operating license by the Atlantic City Casino Control Commission. This represents a turnaround from three years ago, when the commission stripped the casino of its license following a massive round of layoffs that, according to officials, left the property understaffed.
Meeting Hotels
Properties in this historic seaside mecca include the 2,590-room Harrah's Resort Atlantic City; 2,133-room Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Resort; 2,032-room Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel; 2,000-room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa; 1,756-room Bally's Atlantic City; 1,331-room Showboat Casino Hotel; 1,140-room Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino; 942-room Resorts Casino Hotel; 904-room Trump Plaza; 804-room Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort; 800-room Water Club, a Signature Hotel by Borgata; 728-room Trump Marina Casino and Hotel; 502-room Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel; 331-room Chelsea, and 206-room Courtyard by Marriott.
Convention Center
Atlantic City Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 486,600 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 45; (888) 222-3683
Airport Transit
Atlantic City International Airport, about 10 miles northwest of the Boardwalk. Transfer cost by airport shuttle, $13; by taxi, $25-$35
Taxes
Luxury tax, 9%; sales tax, 4%; occupancy fee, 1%; tourism promotion fee, $2 per room for casino hotels, $1 per room for others; total tax on hotel rooms, 14%, plus tourism promotion fee
Group Venues
One Atlantic, an event space at the Pier Shops at Caesars, offers panoramic ocean views, along with approximately 10,000 square feet of indoor event space and a 2,500-square-foot terrace. (609) 343-9902
Cape May, about 30 miles from Atlantic City at the southern tip of New Jersey, is a charming town with a vibe all its own. The seaside resort has a number of restored Victorian buildings, many of which have been turned into bed and breakfasts or hotels and event venues. Case in point: Congress Hall. The 108-room property has 3,789 square feet of event space with many original touches from the late 19th century, including chandeliers, Tiffany-blue walls and hardwood floors. Private events for groups of up to 250 people are accommodated. (888) 944-1816
For a completely different type of experience, organize a private event for up to 850 people at Dusk, the hot nightspot on the second floor of Caesars Atlantic City, just a few steps away from The Pier. The trendy venue offers 8,500 square feet of space and features a multilevel dance floor, two large bars, state-of-the-art sound and lights, and access to Dawn, a modern take on an Old World pub that sits below the main club and can accommodate up to 85. (609) 345-3875
Golf
The Atlantic City region has more to offer than slots and shore -- just ask any experienced golf enthusiast. Many fine courses are within a 30-minute drive of the Boardwalk. Among them: Atlantic City Country Club, (609) 236-4400; Blue Heron Pines, (609) 965-1800; The Links at Brigantine Beach, (609) 266-1388; Harbor Pines Golf Club, (609) 927-0006; Mays Landing Golf Club, (609) 641-4411; McCullough's Emerald Links, (609) 926-3900; Sand Barrens Golf Club, (609) 465-3555; Seaview Pines Course and Bay Course, (609) 652-1800; Shore Gate Golf Club, (609) 624-8337; Twisted Dune Golf Club, (609) 653-8019.
Contact
Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, (888) 228-4748