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B M & T ••• May/June 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 73 COMBINE RICH HISTORY, SPECTACULAR SCENERY & ONSTANDING VENUES WHEN CONVENING IN ATLANTIC CITY BY REAGAN MORRIS Atlantic City doesn't simply entertain, it makes sure to engage. Known for its boardwalk dazzle and casino culture, the city has matured into a destination where planners don't have to choose between spectacle and structure. This is a city that reshaped itself more than once, refusing to be typecast as simply a casino capital. From Boardwalk nostalgia to modern reinvention, Atlantic City offers meeting planners a shoreline of opportunity that doesn't ask for validation—it is verified. Legacy lives here—in the neighbor- hoods once anchored by Black business- es, churches, and jazz halls that raised generations of thinkers and performers. From Chicken Bone Beach, where Black families gathered in the face of segrega- tion, to the Civil Rights Garden just blocks from the ocean, Atlantic City remains rooted in testimony. Today's planners have access to more than sentiment—they have strategy. The Atlantic City Convention Center offers over 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, five expansive halls, and 45 meet- ing rooms—making it a premier venue for national and regional events. Located just a short ride from Atlantic City International Airport, it's supported by nearly 18,000 hotel rooms across proper- ties like Ocean Casino Resort, Bally's, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. These lux- ury resorts house state-of-the-art ball- rooms, breakout spaces with ocean views, and high-tech support that streamlines hybrid itineraries. For planners seeking experiential ven- ues, the Claridge Hotel's historic charm blends effortlessly with its modern rooftop event space, ideal for private din- ners, thought-leader roundtables, or sun- set receptions. The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University is another best kept secret—an adaptable space surrounded by galleries and Black-owned artisan shops, where conversations feel as hand- crafted as the surroundings. The Showboat Hotel—recently revital- ized—now features a 150,000-square- foot indoor waterpark and flexible meet- ing venues ideal for multi-day summits or family reunion programming. Planners also have access to Stockton University's John F. Scarpa Academic Center, which offers a modern lecture hall, tech- equipped breakout rooms, and direct partnerships for academic symposiums. For faith-based gatherings, venues like Saint James AME Church or the Atlantic Cape Community College's amphitheater offer sacred structure and scale. Whether you're hosting an intergenerational retreat or a speaker series with civic focus, Atlantic City ensures the space meets the spirit. And for wellness-minded agendas, Atlantic City's beachfront yoga, local juice bars, and holistic spas deliver restoration between sessions. Events don't just pause—they recharge. Beyond the venues, it's the texture of the city that lingers. Soul food houses like Kelsey's serve up not just meals but a mood. Local Black vendors offer every- thing from vegan crab cakes to hand- made soaps, giving planners the opportu- nity to infuse events with authentic regional flavor. Street art wraps around performance spaces, and spoken word flows where slot machines once dominat- ed the narrative. Transportation is efficient. The Atlantic City Rail Line connects directly to Philadelphia, while jitney service and boardwalk trams provide easy access to venues along the coast. For larger delega- tions, charter services and private luxury buses are available directly through the Convention Center's hospitality partners. What Atlantic City offers isn't just avail- ability—it's attitude. A city once underes- timated now proves its prowess with every conference, reunion, and executive summit that chooses its shores. This place may shimmer with entertainment, but the agenda is always deliberate—and always endorsed. In Atlantic City, meetings don't fade into the ocean breeze.They return recali- brated–- with purpose refined and impact guaranteed. AREA GUIDES AT L A N T I C C I T Y • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Bally's Atlantic City 800 Harrah's Atlantic City 1,000 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 1,000 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Atlantic City Convention Center Total Meeting/Exhibit Space Total Meeting Space 600,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 200,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 63,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 45 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Atlantic City – (844) 855-6338 www.visitatlanticcity,com Atlantic City Convention Center photo credit: Visit Atlantic City C.C