Destination Beckons Sports Fans, Sneakerheads, Convention Goers in Q1 

Atlantic City, NJ - Thursday, February 3, 2022 - With the return of large format, in-person meetings and events, Atlantic City has rebounded in more ways than one. While the destination received more than 230,000 room nights booked for meetings, conventions, events and motorcoaches in 2021, Meet AC is anticipating over 23,211 room nights and more than $40 million in future delegate spending in the months to come. 

“We are seeing great pent-up demand for live business and consumer events this year with a robust schedule of meetings, conventions and sporting events already lined up for Q1,” said Meet AC’s President and CEO, Larry Sieg. “Not only will Atlantic City see boosted economic impact through this healthy tourism influx, but the destination will also enjoy the rise of new hotel, retail and attractions including the highly anticipated Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel, which will be the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world.”


Q1 EVENTS IN ATLANTIC CITY 

U.S. Futsal Northeast Regional Championship
The U.S. Futsal Northeast Regional Championship, the largest Futsal Competition in the U.S. will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center February 18 - 21. The deadline to register is February 1 with an entry fee of $625 per team. The event expects 8,000 attendees, 6,041 room nights, and $5.6 million in economic impact.

The Harlem Globetrotters
On February 22 at 7 p.m., bring the whole family to the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall to see the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters for a night of mind-blowing basketball moves, must-have swag, and a have-to-see-to-believe combination of talent and game. As part of The Spread Game Tour, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a variety of new premium fan experiences including unprecedented access, celebrity court passes, meet and greets and the all-new #SQUADZONE, where fans will truly feel like part of the show. Visit www.boardwalkhall.com for more information and to purchase tickets. 

Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show
The Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show, presented by Discover Boating pulls into the Atlantic City Convention Center March 2 - 6. Featuring respected brands such as Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Key West and Mercury Inflatables, among others, attendees are invited to view boat model and participate in activities for all ages including a virtual fishing simulator, boating skills virtual trainer, toy boat building for the kids, and sand art displays from award-winning sand sculptor John Gowdy. To purchase tickets, visit www.acboatshow.com. The event expects 40,000 attendees, 924 room nights, and $64.4 million in economic impact.

NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships
New Jersey’s most decorated wrestlers will make their way to Atlantic City for the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall March 3 - 5. With a state title on the line, attendees will cheer on their favorite high school stars as the mat’s rolled out. The event expects 32,822 attendees, 437 room nights, and $5.1 million in economic impact.

MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship
From March 8 - 12, the 2022 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships return to historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The event begins with tipoff at 7 p.m. on March 8, and runs through March 12, concluding with the championship games. The event expects 7,000 attendees, 1,644 room nights, and $3 million in economic impact. 

American Cornhole League (ACL) National Tournament
The Showboat Hotel is the place to be this March for all things cornhole. The fastest growing sport’s fastest growing league kicks off the American Cornhole League National Tournament from March 18 - 20 with both singles and doubles brackets. The event, which will also be televised on ESPN, expects 800 attendees, 975 room nights, and $677,000 in economic impact.


Q1 CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES IN ATLANTIC CITY

Jus Nice Sneaker Convention
On February 12, the Atlantic City Convention Center will be transformed into the Mecca of sneakers. Sneakerheads and swag-seekers are invited to browse, buy, and sell some of the most sought after sneakers and vintage clothing in the world. With appearances from three of the top sneaker influencers on social media (Jumperman Kris, Jay The Sneaker Guy, Roszko), this is a can’t miss event for any sneaker enthusiast. The event expects 700 attendees, 60 room nights, and $219,000 in economic impact.

NJ Music Educators Association 2022 State Conference
Held at the Atlantic City Convention Center February 24 - 26, the NJMEA arrives in Atlantic City for three days of meetings and keynote conferences on how to further support and develop students K-12 in the musical arts. The event expects 2,000 attendees, 561 room nights, and $943,000 in economic impact.

Tri State Camp Conference
From March 14 - 16, the Atlantic City Convention Center will host the largest gathering of camping professionals in the world. Guests will learn the ins and outs of camping and the great outdoors at any of the 170-plus educational sessions while discovering new products at the over 300 booth exhibits. The event expects 3,800 attendees, 2,005 room nights, and $2.6 million in economic impact.

2022 Impressions Expo
Celebrating 40-plus years as the Northeast’s largest trade show in the decorated apparel industry, the Impressions Expo returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center March 24 - 26, with workshops beginning the day prior on March 23. The Impressions community is encouraged to explore the latest trends, technologies, demonstrations, techniques, and new product lines essential to business growth. The event expects 7,000 attendees, 2,182 room nights, and $3.9 million in economic impact.

Mary Kay 2022
An iconic brand for more than 50 years, Mary Kay Inc. comes to the Atlantic City Convention Center to showcase its wide variety of cosmetics products March 25 - 28. The event expects 2,500 attendees, 497 room nights, and $1.1 million in economic impact.

WHAT'S NEW IN ATLANTIC CITY

North Beach Mini Golf Eyes Summer Opening
Construction on the all-new North Beach Mini Golf is making headway for summer 2022 opening. Situated at 120 Euclid Avenue, next to the Altman Playground and just a short walk from the Absecon Lighthouse, the mini golf course will feature 18 holes and include historical aspects in its design, calling attention to notable Garden State landmarks and sites.

New Sports Experience at Ocean Resort Casino
Following last year’s $15 million casino floor remodel, Ocean Resort Casino has announced that in March, it will begin construction on a new sports venue, intertwining an entertainment bar and lounge, along with an immersive gaming and sports wagering experience. The $4 million initiative is expected to debut in summer 2022.

Island Waterpark 
Atlantic City is set to add an all new attraction to its long storied collection of hotels and casinos with the debut of Island Waterpark - the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world. Located at the Showboat Hotel Atlantic City, spanning 103,000-square-feet featuring an array of waterslides, lazy rivers and pools, the waterpark will also feature retail outlets, party rooms, and lounge areas, plus a retractable glass roof making it the ideal year-round attraction. The attraction is expected to open by Memorial Day 2023.

New Boutique Hotel Prepares to Break Ground in Atlantic City
Following approval of plans to demolish a property on 151 South New York Avenue, a new six-story, 14-room facility named Cardinal Restaurant & Hotel, has begun construction. The new hotel, which is expected to open in 2023, is just one of several investments being made in the “Orange Loop,” an area encompassing various properties along St. James, Tennessee, and New York Avenues. This will mark the second non-casino project on New York Avenue in the last year following plans to restore the historic Morris Guard Armory property. 

For more information on upcoming meetings and events, visit meetac.com


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About Meet AC: 
Meet AC, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism. Meet AC focuses on three primary objectives: sales, marketing, and services. For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetac.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Atlantic City Sports Commission:
The Atlantic City Sports Commission was officially formed on January 13, 2015 as a 501 (c)(3) organization with the support of Meet AC and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to attract sporting events, conventions and competitions to Atlantic City. For more information, visit www.atlanticcitysports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Media Contacts
MMGY NJF
meetac@njfpr.com 

Meet AC
Jessica Kasunich
jkasunich@meetac.com