Beyond the Boardwalk
America’s playground is serious about building a sustainable future where generations of groups can escape to the shore for fun and innovation. When we brought a group of top meeting professionals to town for our Innovation Experience, we saw evidence of a fresh approach to progress everywhere we looked. Here are some highlights.
Meet & Stay
More than $100 million is being invested in Atlantic City resorts. The sparkle is evident in the new arrival experience alongside Nobu’s suites and restaurant at Caesars Atlantic City, where the company’s wellness menu is in full effect.
At Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in the Marina District, a recently completed $55 million renovation turned the Water Club into the luxurious MGM Tower, which upgraded the Vista Suites as part of the 2,000 guest rooms available.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort—known as regular stops on world tours for top acts—are investing millions in upgrades. I stayed at Ocean and was awed by the floor-to-ceiling ocean-view windows in the 1,860 guest rooms.
Harrah’s Atlantic City has mounted a massive, 3.8 MW solar canopy on its garages to augment 913 kW at LEED-certified Waterfront Conference Center. Harrah’s has also added Gordon Ramsay Steak to complement the Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Atlantic City.
Indulge
Bring the boardwalk to the reception. For a private event that included the tastes and indulgences of a day on the shore, The Yard at Bally’s brought everything from lemonade and churros to crispy fries and saltwater taffy.
For locally owned and operated flavors, Chucktown BBQ in The Orange Loop (named after the ochre-colored spaces on the Monopoly board) offers Pitmaster Charles Soreth’s take on Carolina-inspired brisket and is linked with Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, where live music is always on the menu.
You will find more local vibes at Wonder Bar in Gardner’s Basin, a Tiki bar accessible by water or land. Order baskets of clam strips with Boom Boom dipping sauce, shrimp wrapped in bacon and drizzled with barbecue sauce and fish and chips just the way you like them.
Immerse
For groups looking to leave the destination better than when they arrived, local organizations such as C.R.O.P.S. can harness attendee energy to alleviate food insecurity in the community while giving everyone a chance to work together in the fresh air.
To celebrate a job well done, align your event with one of the major activations happening in town this year, including Atlantic City Latino Festival in September, Atlantic City Marathon in October and Atlantic City Tattoo Expo in November. That is what we call local color.
This article appears in the September 2025 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
