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Atlantic City Picks Up on Entertainment Despite Casino Blues

Posted on October 25th, 2010

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Atlantic City, one of the entertainment capitals of the East Coast, is recently experiencing a period of decline, particularly in the casino industry, due to competition from neighboring states. Despite this slowdown though, the entertainment scene of the city has still drawn a number of big-name recording artists. During the summer, concert performers such as Lady Gaga, the Black eyed Peas, Rihanna and a few others have made a splash in the Shore by performing there. According to casino industry insiders in Atlantic City, there are a lot more attractions lined up for the coming fall and winter, an indication that Atlantic City is not yet n its deathbed.

The increase in competition between casinos of Atlantic City and casinos in the neighboring states has prompted operators of Atlantic City casinos to be more aggressive in its entertainment strategy. Event coordinators have already booked big names as headliners of their casinos for the rest of the year up to 2011. Joe Lupo, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa’s senior vice president of operations said that the entertainment in Agtlantic City is what sets it apart from the neighboring markets of Philadelphia and New York among others. He adds, “We have a heavy fall lineup, and we continue to ensure entertainment is a primary focus at Borgata. We have new entertainers with Kevin James and Vince Vaughn, Aziz Ansari (from “Parks and Recreation”), as well as some stalwarts like Jay Leno and Bob Dylan over Thanksgiving weekend.”
President of the eastern division of Harrah’s Entertainment, Don Marrandino expressed the same sentiments. He said that the fact that Caesars Atlantic City sponsored some of the biggest concerts this year, including Nickelback and the upcoming Toby Keith tour at Boardwalk Hall, has raised the stakes, making the city want to outperform the rest. He explained that by taking a big jump into Boardwalk Hall in 2010, they would want to continue outdoing themselves.

He thinks that the addition of sporting events such as boxing, tennis, hockey, skating and others will create buzz and make the atmosphere in Atlantic City more exciting. He admits that each casino in the city is now playing its niche, encouraging the growth of more customers in their facilities. His observation is that during his drives on the Atlantic City Expressway, he sees more and more headliners and events on billboards, which should be great for the city. He adds, “Our goal was to increase cash-paying customers in Atlantic City via hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment. And if you look around at local businesses, they are feeling it. People are coming to town who are booking rooms and spending money. And they aren’t just gamers anymore. It’s a city-wide approach.”

Harrah’s and Live Nation have joined in on the action, further increasing the events in the city. With independent bookings, Boardwalk Hall will have a record historic year, despite the fact that casino income reports have been the opposite. The general manager of Boardwalk, Greg Tesone claims that 2010 might just end up as the biggest concert year of the facility. He explained further by saying, “Three Phish shows certainly makes a big difference, but shows like that are proving that we are starting to do more stuff that we didn’t do before. The market is evolving as everyone in the industry is looking for business wherever they can find it.” He further explains by saying that certain shows that are used to going to certain venues only is not happening anymore. He thinks that there is currently a better appreciation for all factors that drives people to Atlantic City. Thus, whether it is shopping, an opening of a new restaurant, gambling, or a concert, everyone sees value. He market in Atlantic City has opened up to everything, not just gaming.

The Tropicana Casino and Resort, which had just gotten its feet back from bankruptcy, is also getting in the action. The casino had been cutting back on bookings because of its financial situation. But now, it has booked big names such as Lifehouse, Cyndi Lauper and Bret Michaels, among other acts.