Atlantic City Forms 'Meet AC' to Attract Meetings, Conventions

Hoping to attract more meetings and conventions to Atlantic City, N.J., the city’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has established a new nonprofit charged with pursuing them, local newspaper The Press of Atlantic City reported this week.

Called Meet AC, the new entity will not be subject to state regulations that have restricted travel and disallowed commission incentives for state employees. The result, city officials argue, will be a destination marketing staff that’s more nimble and more effective.

“We feel very strongly that this is the next best way to free up the sales team from the onerous restrictions that New Jersey puts on this type of an operation,” Atlantic City Alliance President Liza Cartmell told The Press of Atlantic City.

CRDA — which merged with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority last year — authorized Meet AC’s creation in March in order to once again separate the city’s convention sales function. Its five-member board held its first meeting last month and currently is searching for sales staff and a CEO.