Around Th MEET AC AWARDED INDUSTRY ACCOLADE Connect Travel, owner and producer of eTourism Summit, announced the winners of the Fourth Annual Excellence “eTSY” Awards in partnership with Expedia Group Media Solutions and Destination Marketing Podcast. Meet AC has won an award in the category of “Best Use of Augmented, Mixed or Virtual Reality” for its Atlantic City Virtual Reality Experience. This recognition goes to destination marketing organizations and their media partners to recognize and celebrate the best of 2020-2021 campaigns and programs with awards in a dozen original categories, including website content, video, email, augmented and virtual reality, influencer marketing and innovation. “We are proud to present an innovative piece of technology to help bleisure travelers (business + leisure) experience Atlantic City before, during and after their visit. It is so important, now more than ever, to be able to represent our destination virtually, and the enhancements that we’ve done to our VR experience show Meet AC’s dedication to the destination by continuing digital transformation,” stated Meet AC’s marketing director, Karina Anthony. www.meetac.com BENCHMARK & PYRAMID MERGER Two storied hotel and resort management companies have aligned forces, creating one powerhouse organization strategically positioned for the future of the global hospitality industry: Benchmark Pyramid. With a worldwide portfolio of 210 properties, the new company captures the passions and unique strengths of Benchmark Global Hospitality, a celebrated leader in the development and management of independent and lifestyle properties, and Pyramid Hotel Group, with its history of success across branded/franchise and resort properties. www.benchmarkpyramid.com
ATLANTIC CITY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Coming off the successful MEDCO/Ace Tool Customer Appreciation Show, Atlantic City welcomed the annual 2021 Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC) to the Atlantic City Convention Center in October. Also in October, Atlantic City played host to the annual Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference, Dino Stroll (a new consumer event for the Atlantic City Convention Center that allowed attendees to get up close to life-like and life-size dinosaurs), and WILD Dance Intensive - a one-day, one-of-a-kind dance experience in an encouraging, fun and creative environment. The momentum has continued into November with three returning annual events at the Atlantic City Convention Center, two of which are the largest conventions Atlantic City hosts. The annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Convention on November 4-5, Import Expo on November 7-8, and the annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) Conference on November 16-18, 2021. “The meeting and convention business in Atlantic City is back. Our clients and their attendees are happy to return to safe, face-to-face networking and educational opportunities. We are thrilled to add that the events that have taken place over the past few months have reported increased attendance from previous years,” stated Larry Sieg, Meet AC’s president and CEO. www.meetac.com
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