ATLANTIC CITY – Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian today (Tuesday, Jan. 13) announced the formation of the Atlantic City Sports Commission, intended to help the city grow into a destination for sporting events.
“The formation of the AC Sports Commission is one more fantastic non-gaming attraction that Atlantic City will build its future upon,” Guardian said. “No matter what your age is, you can always have fun watching a sporting event with your friends and family.”
The announcement was made at a Boardwalk Hall press conference presented by Meet AC, a spinoff of the CRDA that was formed in June to attract meetings and conventions to Atlantic City.
“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 Jim Wood, Meet AC president/CEO.
The most recent economic impact study conducted by the National Association of Sports Commissions showed that amateur sporting events generate nearly $8 billion annually and growing, notes a news release from Meet AC, with many groups running multiple events each year. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority already hosts numerous sports events in Atlantic City each year including the New Jersey State High School Wrestling Finals, Atlantic City Marathon, cheer and dance events.
“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,” said John Palmieri, executive director of the CRDA.
For information see www.meetinac.com .