Let's Meet in Atlantic City

Let’s Meet

by Sharon DeFelices

I recently spent a few days offer for groups, I found my

Atlantic City’s regenerative for the area in an effort to s

t in Atlantic City!

s in Atlantic City to learn more about Meaningful Meetings. While AC has so much to yself captivated by the people and experiences that I encountered during my trip.

efforts are impressive, and there are some inspiring people doing amazing things spark the locals’ love and to draw tourists and groups to the area.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

On the first day, I was given a tour of the 48 Blocks Atlantic City murals by Zach Katzen, program manager of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation. Zach’s passion for the project was palpable and I learned so much about Atlantic City’s history on the tour.

For the past four years, artists have been invited to create murals throughout the city. These murals are rich in detail and tell stories about several events and people of Atlantic City. I could pen this entire article on the murals alone, but it would be a shame to ruin the wonder of you seeing them for yourself.

While they all bear mention, two that I am compelled to share are “Before I Die, I want to...” and “Life is a Maze, Find Your Way.” Find Your Way was painted on what was then a threestory, vacant building. It contains a series of solvable mazes that represents the journey we all are taking, and it inspires onlookers to get where we want to be regardless of how many times we reach a “dead end.” But what makes this mural even more impressive is what it inspired after its creation.

The building today houses a nonprofit organization that does, in fact, help people to find their way. The solvable mazes proved that there is hope and a way out of tough economic times. And with circumstances as they are, we absolutely need to hear that message as often as we can.

Before I Die sits across the street from a school. It is painted in the style of a chalkboard with the words “Before I die, I want to….” followed by a fill-inthe-blank line for the school children, local residents and visitors to contribute their own attestations and reflections on life. This particular mural is a global arts project and it is one of 2,000 such murals around the world. Be sure to bring a piece of chalk to add your own reflection while visiting AC.

Creation continues among the murals of 48 Blocks AC, and if you’re visiting, download the map (https://bit.ly/3yMQBko) and explore the works of its amazing muralists. If you’re taking a group, be sure to schedule a tour with Zach, a lifelong devotee to his community. You will not be disappointed.

A great option when it comes to getting around AC is the Atlantic City Jitney. The jitney service has been in use since 1915 and is truly the epitome of the concept of regeneration. The jitneys, now powered by compressed natural gas, are a fitting example of the how the transit system can be woven into the societal fabric to strengthen it. Many jitneys are franchise owned and available for private hire.

Wanting to capture the “buzz” of Atlantic City, I was introduced to Alveole, a company that has been connecting nature and cities since 2013. Alveole is the urban beekeeping company whose hives reside on top of Tanger Outlets. Home to over 50,000 bees, the rooftop hives provide educational opportunities as well as ecological awareness for the community, not to mention some really delicious honey!

While salt-water taffy is the “go-to” treat at any outpost along the Jersey Shore, I was really excited to spend an evening at Bar 32, where house-made Tanzanian chocolate is crafted into delicious bars, desserts and cocktails. The vibe, like the rest of Tennessee Avenue, is cool and the bartender and chocolatier are ready to give you a chocolate experience you’ve never had before. Order a tasting of their chocolates and be sure to grab a bag of brownie mix to take home. Custom branded bars can be infused with the ingredients you request to create a favor or swag gift for your event, as well.

WHERE TO MEET

Caesar’s Entertainment has invested in Atlantic City to create state-of-the-art meeting and conference spaces that are destined to please. The Waterfront Conference Center at Harrah’s Atlantic City is the largest conference center on the East Coast between Boston and Baltimore. Its column-less ballrooms allow for endless room configurations that can accommodate groups of all sizes. 100,000-square feet of meeting space, 50,000-square feet of pre-func-

tion space, and close to 2,600 beautifully appointed guestrooms combine to make Harrah’s an excellent option for your next meeting.

Chef Louis Heckel and his talented culinary team are creating wonderful options at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center that are sure to please, as well.

Bally’s Atlantic City has kicked off their Return to Glory, undergoing renovations to its 750 guestrooms and grand lobby. With ocean views, the VIP lounge is a great space for a corporate event. Bally’s AC has great dining options, too, and a few new ones on the horizon, making this property a flavorful option for your group.

If you’re looking for a property where the energy is electric for your next event, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City might be just right for you. Any property that has a staff position called the “Vibe Manager” tells you that they truly are focused on the guest experience. The largest Hard Rock property, with 2,000 guestrooms and 150,000-square feet of meeting and event space, this hotel and casino has a lot to offer.

THE GREENING OF ATLANTIC CITY

I had the opportunity to tour the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm with five 380-foot wind turbines. Impressive in stature, but even more impressive in function, each wind turbine creates approximately 1.5 megawatts of power. Solar panels at the site contribute energy to power the ACUA wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater treatment plant processes 29million gallons of waste water every day and is powered by both wind and sun. Any excess energy from the turbines assists with the city’s power grid, providing electricity to local residences. This urban initiative is proof positive that sustainability efforts can make a tremendous impact in the way a city provides resources to its community.

Speaking of going green, the Atlantic City Convention Center has been hard at work with sustainability initiatives since 2009. 13,000 Solar Photovoltaic panels cover 290,000square feet and provide approximately 26 percent of the energy needs of the convention center. Recycling efforts, green seal approved chemicals, and low-flow plumbing fixtures are just a few of the ways that the convention center is working to create a healthier environment for its guests and to reduce resource consumption. With 500,000-square feet of exhibit space and 45 meeting rooms, the center serves as a spacious option for your expo.

A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO BEER

One of the last stops on my Atlantic City trip was a visit to The Seed: A Living Beer Project. Married owners, Sean Towers and Amanda Cardinali, take the concept of terroir to a new level, using local grain grown in Shiloh, NJ to produce unique and amazing brews for their taproom. With 9 taps there is a beer here for everyone! Don’t take my word for it, USA Today voted them as the #1 Best New Brewery (2021).

The team at The Seed embrace the community and culture and want to help draw attention to undiscovered spots by doing partnered events. The space is warm, the décor, organic, and the beer is delicious.

WITH ITS FOCUS ON THE FUTURE, ATLANTIC CITY HAS FRESH ENERGY AND IS WELL WORTH CONSIDERING FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP EVENT OR WEEKEND GETAWAY.

Sharon DeFelices, CMP is the owner of Mosaic Meetings and Events, LLC, a comprehensive meeting management company with a division specializing in food and beverage management, as well as accommodating dietary preferences and restrictions for events. sharon@mosaicmeetingsandevents.com