ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Tuesday, January 13, 2015) – On Tuesday, January 13, Meet AC, a tourism development agency designed to attract meetings and conventions to Atlantic City, held a press conference at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall. Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian officially announced the formation of the Atlantic City Sports Commission.
The Atlantic City Sports Commission has been a vision of Meet AC President/CEO, Jim Wood since he came on board in June 2014. The Atlantic City Sports Commission will be powered by Meet AC and continue to grow into a destination for sporting events that run from small to large events as well as sports meetings and conventions. “Sports is big business and through the formation of the Atlantic City Sports Commission we are positioning Atlantic City to attract additional sporting events to our city year round,” said Wood. In the most recent economic impact study conducted by the National Association of Sports Commissions, amateur sport events generate nearly $8 billion annually and growing. Additionally there are over 1,000 sport event rights holders who each plan multiple events each year.
Mayor Guardian stated, “The formation of the AC Sports Commission is one more fantastic non-gaming attraction that Atlantic City will build its future upon. No matter what your age is, you can always have fun watching a sporting event with your friends and family!”
Throughout the years, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has hosted numerous sports events in Atlantic City. New Jersey State High School Wrestling Finals, Atlantic City Marathon and numerous cheer and dance events are just a few of the annual sports events held in Atlantic City. John Palmieri, Executive Director of the CRDA stated, “While we continue to work with our contracted operations company, Global-Spectrum, and provide incentives to bring events to Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center, we look forward to leveraging Meet AC’s ability to maintain a presence in the sports promotion business world and draw attention to the benefits of bringing additional events to the area.”
About Meet AC
Meet AC, Inc. was officially formed as a 501(c)(6) company on June 23, 2014. Prior to its formation, the Meetings and Convention sales and marketing group was operating under the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Meet AC, a tourism economic development agency, will focus on three primary objectives: sales, marketing and services. For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetinac.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MeetAtlanticCity and Twitter at @Meet_AC.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Merrill
(609) 449-7147
jmerrill@meetinac.com