New Showboat GM Martinez Looks to Build on Family Resort as Waterpark Hits 1 Million Guests

ATLANTIC CITY — Just days after taking over as general manager of Showboat Resort, Maritza Martinez says her focus is on continuing the property's transformation into something once considered unusual in Atlantic City — a major Boardwalk resort built around families rather than casino gambling.

And she is taking over as one of Showboat's signature attractions reaches a significant milestone.

Martinez said Friday that Island Waterpark recently welcomed its 1 millionth guest, roughly three years after the $100 million attraction opened along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

“One millionth guest is an incredible milestone, and we are extremely proud of it,” Martinez said during an appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on WOND (weekdays 12-1p). “When you think about it, it did get here quickly.”

For Martinez, the number is evidence that there was demand for something different in a city traditionally identified with casino gambling.

“It really shows how much people were looking, though, at something different in Atlantic City, a place where families could come together and have fun, regardless of the weather,” Martinez said.

From Finance Office to Running Showboat

As South Jersey NewsBeat previously reported, Martinez was promoted this week after spending about a decade helping oversee Showboat's finances and its transformation under owner Bart Blatstein.

A Stockton University graduate with more than three decades of finance and accounting experience, Martinez began her Atlantic City casino career as a cage cashier at Trump Taj Mahal when it opened in 1990. She eventually rose to senior accountant and remained there until the casino closed in 2016.

Martinez joined Showboat as director of finance and accounting shortly after Blatstein acquired the property that same year.

She now moves from watching the transformation from the financial side to overseeing day-to-day operations of the resort.

“I've spent about a decade here at the Showboat, and I've watched it grow and evolve from a very different perspective,” Martinez told Lopez.

“And it means a tremendous amount to me personally. I'm very proud of my Hispanic heritage. And I also recognize that being the first comes with a lot of responsibility.”

Betting on Families Instead of Gambling

Showboat's evolution has been one of the more unusual redevelopment stories in modern Atlantic City.

The former casino reopened as a non-gambling hotel in 2016. Since then, Blatstein has invested heavily in repositioning the property around entertainment and family attractions, including Lucky Snake Arcade and the beachfront Island Waterpark.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has described the waterpark as the largest non-casino development in Atlantic City in four decades.

Martinez said being part of a resort deliberately pursuing a different Atlantic City customer is one of the things that excites her about the job.

“I don't think that anyone had the nerve, like Bart did, to take on this project, right, to not open a casino, but to focus on just families,” Martinez said.

“Just being a part of that is extremely exciting. That's the other Atlantic City that we want to bring to Atlantic City.”

Showboat Expanding the Family Experience

Martinez said the strategy increasingly involves giving families enough options to spend much of a day — or an entire stay — on the property.

Island Waterpark features a retractable glass roof, allowing it to operate year-round regardless of weather. The resort also markets Lucky Snake as the largest arcade on the East Coast.

Martinez said Showboat has recently added a children's area designed for younger guests while retaining attractions such as go-karts and arcade games for older children.

“A lot of us have kids ranging between three and 15,” Martinez said. “That's a big range.”

The goal, she said, is having enough different attractions that “you can bring the whole family together.”

The resort has also been expanding activity onto the Boardwalk.

Martinez said visitors can spend the day at the beach before returning to Showboat to eat, shop, hear music and play games along its Boardwalk corridor.

“The fun doesn't end when the sun goes down,” Martinez said.

Outdoor Entertainment Could Continue Into October

And Showboat isn't planning to shut down its outdoor entertainment immediately after the traditional summer season ends.

Martinez said the resort intends to continue presenting weekend bands as long as the weather cooperates.

“I see us going into the end of September, beginning of October,” Martinez said.

The outdoor programming also includes salsa lessons.

“People love it,” Martinez said. “It's just a great time and it's a great vibe.”

Renovated Hotel Rooms Part of Next Phase

Showboat is also investing in its core hotel product.

South Jersey NewsBeat reported earlier this week that two floors of the New Orleans Tower have undergone renovations featuring updated designs, bathrooms, furnishings and electronics.

Martinez said Friday the renovations are intended to complement the resort's family attractions.

“We have some newly renovated floors that gives our guests, you know, that fresh, modern experience while still keeping the personality of the Showboat,” Martinez said.

After families spend the day at the waterpark, arcade and Boardwalk, she said, the goal is to provide “a comfortable area where they can come back and just really relax together as a family.”

More Than a Waterpark and Arcade

Martinez also wants visitors to recognize another piece of Showboat's business: private events.

She said the property has hosted everything from birthday parties and family reunions to fashion events and school proms.

One of the more unusual examples was Pleasantville's 2025 prom, which was held inside Island Waterpark.

“Just to think that we can create that, right, that we can have a prom in the Island Waterpark — it's magical,” Martinez said.

The newly renovated Diamond Club has also been used for private celebrations, while other areas of the sprawling property can accommodate larger events.

Martinez Has a Message for Young Women

Near the end of Friday's interview, Martinez shifted away from Showboat's attractions and talked about the personal significance of her promotion.

South Jersey NewsBeat's earlier report said Martinez is believed to be the first Hispanic woman to serve as general manager of an Atlantic City resort hotel.

Martinez said she hopes her promotion sends a message to girls and young women who may someday find themselves pursuing careers where few people look like them.

“Never be afraid to be the first,” Martinez said. “Sometimes you may walk into a room and not see anyone who looks like you, but that doesn't mean you don't belong.”

She encouraged young women to work hard, pursue opportunities and remember others once they achieve success.

“When you get that position,” Martinez said, “remember to always reach back and bring someone else with you.”

For Martinez, the promotion comes after spending a decade watching Showboat reinvent itself.

Now she gets to help determine where it goes next.