Since opening with much anticipation and fanfare on May 1, 1997, the Atlantic City Convention Center has become “Your Northeast Business Address”, hosting a wide array of premier events from large public shows, conventions and trade shows, to meetings and conferences. Erected at a cost of $268 million, the building is the largest and most expensive public project in the city’s history, and was built under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). It was the centerpiece of a multi-billion dollar redevelopment plan which included The Walk, a retail and entertainment complex, numerous Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)-funded neighborhood partnerships, the Boardwalk Hall renovation, the Grand Boulevard, the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel, and new casino expansion projects.

The Convention Center, designed to incorporate and reflect Atlantic City’s seaside location, won the prestigious “Award of Excellence in Architectural Design” from the Pennsylvania Society of Architects. A regional décor is evident throughout the building, from the wave-inspired carpeting and granite flooring to the atrium’s Rock Bar, an attractive setting for any event planner. Visitors entering the building are welcomed by a 90-foot high skylit atrium lobby complete with a lobby concierge, sculptures and art. Artist Jonathan Borofsky created the five flying fish sculptures suspended above the atrium floor. Twenty seven cast stone sculptures, created by Thomas Van Dyke of Prospect Park and cast by American Trim Stone of Haskell, are inset into the atrium walls and represent local sea life such as starfish, crabs and seahorses. The fourth floor showcases artist William Wegman’s photographic exhibit entitled Six Scenic Scenes that depicts his famous weimaraners in costume and participating in activities found throughout New Jersey. Both Borofsky’s and Wegman’s creations were commissioned through New Jersey’s Public Buildings Art Inclusion Act of 1978. Wallace Roberts & Todd of Philadelphia, Pa is the architect and landscape architect of the Center, a project undertaken in joint venture with STV Incorporated, Engineers.

The facility contains 500,000 contiguous square feet of space and occupies a site of nearly 31 acres, making it one of the East Coast’s largest Convention Centers. One of the most sophisticated facilities of its kind in the nation, the center features cutting edge communications technology and offers the instantaneous transfer of information throughout the building or across the globe.

Verizon’s Enterprise Solutions Group, a full service voice, video and data network integrator, provides a unique network that allows exhibitors and visitors use of two-way communications applications, such as video conferencing, audio-multimedia capabilities, Internet access and LAN configuration, all without laying a single wire. The building is equipped with 375 miles of communications cable, 16,300 light fixtures and 1,800 miles of electrical wire and cable.

Five spacious exhibit halls are located on the building’s second level, ranging in size from 29,400 square feet to 199,500 square feet. The rooms can be contracted individually, adjoined or easily configured to meet a client’s needs. Hall A, at 29,400 square feet, can be transformed into a ballroom or banquet hall. Services available in each exhibit hall include electric, water, voice/data, exhaust, compressed air, drain, and MATV. A Show Manager’s Office, Press Office and securable storage space are also conveniently located adjacent to each exhibit hall.

The Center’s 45 meeting rooms surround the expansive atrium lobby and total 109,100 square feet. Room dimensions range from 11,880 square feet to 672 square feet. The rooms’ amenities include soundproof panels, assisted listening systems and voice, video and data communications capabilities. MATV connection for audio and video playback from point to point makes possible an “in-house television station” for event promotion and messaging. Room 311, a sophisticated Executive Level Presentation Room, features a large screen projection system with integrated video conferencing and video tape and audio input, ideal for interactive meetings and product demonstrations from the Convention Center to any point in the world. The room was planned, executed and continues to be managed by Verizon’s Enterprise Solutions Group.

The facility’s ample pre-function space, more than 32,000 square feet, is well suited to registration, retail or dining needs. The building is served by 29 covered loading docks, four drive-in doors, mechanical levelators, and 1,400 indoor parking spaces. It is connected with the Atlantic City Rail Terminal that runs the Atlantic City Line from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. Jitneys, buses and taxis queue at the front of the building to provide service to other points within the city. A pedestrian airbridge links the Convention Center to the adjoining Sheraton Hotel. Located within a few hours drive of nearly one third of the nation’s population and 20 percent of the country’s business addresses, the convention center is easily accessible for convention, trade show and meeting attendees.

Since 1992, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has overseen the operations and management of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA). In addition to overseeing the Convention Center, the NJSEA supervised the $90 million renovation of historic Boardwalk Hall, which was transformed into a contemporary and exciting special events center and re-opened in October 2001. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is the governing body that oversees the operations of Meadowlands Racetrack, Giants Stadium, Continental Airlines Arena, Monmouth Park Racetrack, and the Wildwoods Convention Center. For more information, visit them at www.njsea.com.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority manages Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center. For more information visit www.atlanticcitynj.com or contact them at 1-888-AC-VISIT.

The management team at the Center and Boardwalk Hall is headed by SMG, the world leader in facility management. With 169 venues, SMG controls more than 1.46 million entertainment seats worldwide and more than nine million square feet of exhibit space. For additional company information, visit www.smgworld.com.

Atlantic City, historically known for its fine hospitality, continues this great tradition into the new century. Servicing the client’s every need and the satisfaction of all visitors to the Atlantic City Convention Center is the goal of the management team.

As the catering company for the Convention Center, ARAMARK provides a wide range of managed services, including food, facility management and other support services to over 40 convention centers nationwide. ARAMARK offers organizations a single source provider for event planning, premium dining needs and catering, on-site restaurants, retail merchandise sales, concessions and facilities management. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 200,000 employees serving clients in 18 countries.

Atlantic City Convention Center Electrical provides power supply, outlets and plumbing connections to exhibit areas and booths.

AudioVisual Headquarters (AVHQ) offers clients the latest in audio-visual service and assistance with the center’s technological capabilities.

The UPS Store, conveniently located on premises, showcases a full line of products and services including document finishing, faxing, color and black and white copying, cellular phone rental, packaging and package shipping and receiving, and a generous range of office and sundry supplies.

Verizon’s Enterprise Solutions Group provides total integrated network solutions allowing exhibitors and visitors utilization of a variety of basic and advanced business communications applications.

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