ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City's strategy of attracting nationally recognized sporting events and entertainment continues to pay dividends, with several marquee events expected to become annual fixtures, according to Dan Gallagher, executive director of Sports and Entertainment for Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission.
During an interview on The AC Mike Lopez Radio Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Gallagher said the city's event calendar has evolved dramatically in recent years as tourism officials shift their focus beyond traditional meetings and conventions to consumer events that attract visitors throughout the year.
"We're not comparing apples to apples," Gallagher said of Atlantic City's recent growth. "It is apples to watermelons."
Gallagher credited partnerships with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Oak View Group and local stakeholders for helping attract events ranging from WWE programming and powerboat racing to youth sports tournaments and concerts.
One of the newest additions was the American Power Boat Association races, which Gallagher said generated an estimated $2.2 million in economic impact despite requiring only about 180 hotel rooms because of the spending power of participants and spectators.
"We officially found the right partner," Gallagher said of the APBA event, noting that organizers brought 51 high-performance racing boats to Atlantic City.
Gallagher also revealed that fans can expect more from both APBA and WWE.
"I can tell you right now APBA will be back next year," he said. "I can tell you right now WWE will be back. We've already had the meetings. We've already had the conversations."
According to Gallagher, Visit Atlantic City intentionally seeks long-term partnerships rather than one-time events.
"We don't believe in one-and-dones," he said, explaining that developing successful events requires significant planning, financial investment and coordination among numerous organizations.
Youth sporting events have also become an increasingly important part of the city's tourism strategy.
Gallagher said Atlantic City invested approximately $1 million in portable basketball courts and related equipment, allowing Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center to host large basketball, volleyball and futsal tournaments without relying on rented equipment. The investment, he said, was recouped in less than five years.
Those tournaments have attracted nationally recognized athletes and families from across the country while introducing visitors to attractions beyond the competition itself.
"They're not coming here just to play basketball," Gallagher said. "They're coming here for a family vacation."
Gallagher said Atlantic City's advantage over competing sports destinations is that participants can combine tournaments with beaches, the Boardwalk, casinos, restaurants, shopping and other attractions.
The city's event calendar continues this weekend with free FIFA World Cup watch parties on the beach in partnership with the Atlantic City Beach Festival. The third-place match will be shown Friday evening, followed by the championship match Saturday, complete with live DJs, food and entertainment.
Gallagher made the remarks during an interview with AC Mike Lopez on The AC Mike Lopez Radio Show, which airs weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
