POSITION OVERVIEW MEET AC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
THE OPPORTUNITY
SearchWide, in conjunction with Strategic Advisory Group, is pleased to be engaged to support Meet AC and the Atlantic City tourism industry in the recruitment and strategic support of a new leadership opportunity in an exciting newly formed corporation. Meet AC has combined the resources of SearchWide and SAG to provide a comprehensive approach to supporting a new leader in the conventions, meetings and group tour areas of Atlantic City tourism. The opportunity to be a “founding CEO” of a new corporation with broad based industry support is ideal for a leader who has interest in leading a re-focused effort in a high profile destination.
ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Atlantic City offers something for everyone. From the boardwalk to the bay, this great city has become a world-class destination and a "must see" attraction for millions of visitors annually. From fine dining and entertainment, to a wide array of shopping and, of course, casino excitement...it’s "always turned on"!
Atlantic City is in the heart of the Northeast, it’s approximately 100 miles from New York, less than 300 miles from Boston, less than 60 miles from Philadelphia and 150 miles from Washington, D.C. This gives meeting planners access to a huge market of potential attendees, exhibitors and customers.
Atlantic City was a fishing village until the construction in 1854 of a railroad that made it a fashionable resort for Philadelphians and New Yorkers. The first boardwalk was built in 1870. Atlantic City's chief industry is tourism, with more than 30 million visitors annually. The Boardwalk, lined with casinos, hotels, shops, and amusements, is 6 miles long. The heyday for Atlantic City as a beach resort lasted through the first half of the 20th century, when it fell out of favor. Atlantic City was revived after a statewide referendum in 1976 legalized casino gambling in the city, and casinos began popping up along the boardwalk and in the Marina District in 1978.
Atlantic City has a large convention center. The Democratic national convention took place in the city in 1964, and the Miss America Pageant was held there annually from 1921 to 2005. Absecon Lighthouse, in operation 1854–1932, attracts tourists. The first Ferris wheel was built in Atlantic City in 1869. The board game Monopoly, which makes use of area street names, was invented here in 1930. In 2012 the city suffered significant flooding from Hurricane Sandy.
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DISCOVER EVERYTHING TO DO IN AC
The excitement of 24/7 gaming, the thrill of a royal flush or finding a new pair of shoes, the sand in between your toes on one of the top East Coast beaches or visiting one of the many attractions – whatever your pleasure, it is always more pleasurable in AC.
From New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse to deep sea fishing, and everything in between, you can always find fun things to do in New Jersey’s entertainment capital. Relaxing at one of the Atlantic City casino spas such as Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, Bluemercury Spa and Qua Baths & Spa lead the way for more spas that will have a grand reputation all their own include Sea Spa, Immersion and many more.
Things To Do (Click each link)
Search Attractions Events & Festivals Affordable Family Fun Shopping Atlantic City Beaches Atlantic City Boardwalk Golf Courses Atlantic City Spas Outdoor Recreation Atlantic City Arts & Culture Gaming & Poker
For the more discriminating shopper, The Pier Shops at Caesars features elite shopping from Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Hugo Boss and others. Tanger Outlets - The Walk spreads out over 15-city blocks and features outlet shopping from famous names like J. Crew, Michael Kors and Eddie Bauer, just to name a few.
Great dining is everywhere from famous names like Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Carmine’s, Cuba Libra, Buddakan, Mia, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Patsy’s, Il Mulino, Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris, Gallagher’s, Phillips Seafood and more.
BEACHES
New Jersey's crown jewel remains its 130 miles of coastline, spanning from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Our unmatched beaches boast beautiful barrier islands and bays dotted with majestic lighthouses, fishing villages and scenic views.
"Down the Shore" means there's something for everyone. Among New Jersey's most treasured prizes are the white-sand beaches that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors and families each year to enjoy the surf, sand, sun, fun and excitement of the famous Jersey Shore.
The New Jersey coastline invites everyone to swim, body surf, boogie board, sail, surf, scuba dive, fish or sun bathe. Many towns like Wildwood, Ocean City, Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights feature bustling boardwalks with rides, amusements and nonstop excitement that are part of New Jersey’s “Unique Boardwalk Culture.” For a quieter beach experience, visit Spring Lake or Ocean Grove.
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In addition to the beach and boardwalks, all along the coast visitors will find, preserved natural areas including Island Beach State Park, inlets, bays, great food and plenty of shopping.
ATLANTIC CITY’S ARTS & CULTURE
Atlantic City has a rich culture and a deeply rooted history that dates back to the days of old. Visit museums, libraries and information hubs located throughout the city to explore old photographs, vintage memorabilia, or to receive a brief AC history lesson. Take a step back to remember those who have served our country through various memorials set throughout the city in the forms of gardens, statues and museums. Enjoy Atlantic-inspired works in some of the finest art galleries in New Jersey or catch a show by top East Coast performing arts acts.
Atlantic City has entertained guests for more than 150 years, but never before has such an array of activities been available to everyone who visits. The Atlantic City Experience encompasses the best historical and cultural resources of Atlantic City. From diving horses to dancing girls, from the Boardwalk to the Northside, from casinos to churches, from Prohibition to the present, Atlantic City, New Jersey is a unique American city with a rich history.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
Visitors will find a variety of Atlantic City hotels to suit any need or budget including Atlantic City casino hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts and more. Stay, play and be pampered in our hotels and accommodations and enjoy all we have to offer in the best places to stay in Atlantic City.
Visit New Jersey: http://www.visitnj.org/property-search/1/Atlantic_City The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority: http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/stay/
A diverse range of unique and conventional venues, a convenient location served by five airports, incredible dining and entertainment and miles of beautiful beaches make New Jersey the perfect choice for your next meeting. For meetings, trade shows, conferences and events large and small, Atlantic City has the perfect venue.
Host a large-scale trade show or convention at the 486,600 square-foot Atlantic City Convention Center, one of the largest conference centers in New Jersey. To ensure your guests stay in comfort, the housing department works closely with hotel and motel owners to secure comfortable and convenient accommodations for your event attendees. They’ve also partnered with AC Central.
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CONVENTION COMPLEXES
Since opening with much anticipation and fanfare on May 1, 1997, the Atlantic City Convention Center has become "Your Northeast Business Address", hosting a wide array of premier events from large public shows, conventions and trade shows, to meetings and conferences. The facility contains 500,000 contiguous square feet of space and occupies a site of nearly 31 acres, making it one of the East Coast's largest Convention Centers. Five spacious exhibit halls are located on the building's second level, ranging in size from 29,400 square feet to 199,500 square feet. The rooms can be contracted individually, adjoined or easily configured to meet a client's needs. Hall A, at 29,400 square feet, can be transformed into a ballroom or banquet hall. The Center's 45 meeting rooms surround the expansive atrium lobby and total 109,100 square feet. Room dimensions range from 11,880 square feet to 672 square feet. The rooms' amenities include soundproof panels, assisted listening systems and voice, video and data communications capabilities.
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Boardwalk Hall events include sporting events such as tennis and basketball, boxing, ice skating and ice hockey, as well as orchestras, theatre and concerts featuring some of the music industry's most popular artists. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall's renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon its reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination’s premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows, and sporting events.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY
. Historical fact: The first Miss America pageant took place in Atlantic City in 1921 and the city hosted the event until 2005 and it returned this year.
. The Miss America pageant was held in Boardwalk Hall (formerly called Convention Hall), which currently holds the World’s largest pipe organ.
. Random fact: "The Chaperone" Seinfeld episode, where Jerry mistakenly kills Miss Rhode Island's doves for her magic act in the Miss America pageant, is partially based in Atlantic City.
. Interesting fact: All of the street names from the Monopoly board game are in Atlantic City except one. Marvin Gardens, which is actually spelled Marven Gardens, is located in Margate.
. Before they were stars of the "Jersey Shore," Snooki was an aspiring veterinary technician and Jenni "JWoww" spent three years studying computer-programming.
. Fun fact: In July 1960, Chubby Checker first introduced "the twist" dance craze at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood.
. Interesting Fact: The Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City has four and a half times more steel than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
. Rear Admiral Alan Shepard, America's first astronaut on a manned space flight (1961), was a 1941 graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy in Pine Beach.
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. Fun fact: Cape May was a popular Victorian vacation spot. The swimming rules were different than they are today.
. Men and women had different swim hours, women wore dresses and shoes in the water, and men wore woolen shorts and shirts.
. The Promenade in Cape May used to be reserved for respectable walks along the beach, and men and women would all wear their finest of clothing.
. Weird fact: Wildwood's large beaches expand by up to 100 feet in a single year; they are some of the only beaches on the East Coast where the shoreline is not diminishing. © NileGuide
ABOUT MEET AC
The CRDA in conjunction with the industry leaders has embarked on an innovative restructuring of the tourism industry in Atlantic City. This restructuring includes the formation of a new private company, named Meet AC. The goal of the company is to lead a new effort to increase the effectiveness of the group sales activities for Atlantic City. The new company will re-think the valuable efforts of the Atlantic City Visitors and Convention Authority in a new dynamic environment that has been designed to support a focused sales approach. Partners including the Atlantic City Alliance and CRDA have been actively involved in determining the best approach to supporting Meet AC. This foundation in conjunction with the support of the Strategic Advisory Group and the newly named operator of the Convention Center, Global Spectrum, will provide a solid foundation for the leader of Meet AC.
Meet AC has been formed as a 501c6 with a five member board made up of industry leaders and key organizational partners. Meet AC will have a streamlined approach to membership, which will recognize sponsorship and support of the Meet AC efforts as it sole fulfillment approach.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Responsible for the growth of convention business segments by developing and executing effective sales strategies as well as providing strategic leadership and oversight of the organization in all aspects of its operations and mission. This highly visible position will interface with key community, government, media and tourism leaders to represent the tourism industry in the group market and demonstrate its positive impact on the Atlantic City Area. This position will report to an industry and partner based Board of Directors.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
1. Serves as the Executive of this newly formed organization; attends all meetings of the Board of Directors and all other committees of the Board as needed or appropriate. Regularly reports the activities of Meet AC to the Board. 2. Develop strategic alliances with ACA, hotel and casino leadership, local travel and tourism leaders and media to increase the value of Meet AC to meeting planners, tour operators, staff, and community. 3. Collaborates with the Senior Management Team (Director of Finance and VP of Sales) to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, effective organizational processes/policies and appropriate human resources to support the strategic, objectives of the organization. 4. Provides leadership, direction and topline management to the employee team to ensure that the mission and vision of Meet AC is successfully put into practice and sustained. 5. Direct the activities of the organization, which is solely focused on convention and meeting sales, as well as group tour activities. Oversee, in conjunction with the VP of Sales, regional sales offices by monitoring sales activities, providing individual guidance and counseling sales staff to assist them in meeting their established sales goals.
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6. Develop company budget and monitor operations and expenditures to ensure that expenses are maintained within budgetary objectives. 7. Develop the common metrics goals in conjunction with the convention center operator to include room nights, economic impact, convention center fiscal results and customer service. 8. Develop sales goals for staff, in conjunction with the VP of Sales, by assigning and distributing accounts and projecting sales quotas. Communicate overall performance goals to staff and monitor sales activity against goals on an ongoing basis. 9. Develop a joint marketing plan, in conjunction with ACA, the Convention Center and the CRDA communications team. This will also include input from the internal sales team and the Meet AC Board of Directors. 10. Monitor and communicate progress against annual goals and marketing plan objectives, deadlines and follow action steps in a timely manner to achieve goals. 11. Coordinate advertising program with ACA as outlined in the Marketing Plan, including sales activities, cooperative inserts and individual advertisements and responses. 12. Support an integrated sales effort with the staff of the Convention Center and develop a coordinated sales activity plan with cooperation between the sales staff of both organizations. 13. Implement a comprehensive industry communication plan including an monthly update to a broad base of stakeholders 14. Direct regular meetings with Hotel and Casino Directors of Sales to review accounts, discuss current issues, travel and promotion schedules, advertising opportunities, etc., and to keep them informed of important industry matters. 15. Conduct quarterly updated meetings with senior management of all major casinos and hotels. 16. Coordinate participation in assigned trade shows and industry promotions by planning and distributing direct mail to prospective customers. Monitor progress of assigned promotions with each sales manager. Communicate results of sales activities to key stakeholders 17. As opportunities arise, participate in hospitality organizations at a national level to provide visibility for Atlantic City in the group market and enhance on-going professional development.
IDEAL BACKGROUND AND SKILL SET REQUIRED
. Previous group sales and hospitality industry experience in an executive role. . A college degree from an accredited four year college or university with an MBA or MPA graduate degree preferred or acceptable equivalent. . 10+ years of sales leadership experience specifically to the large convention and trade show segment. . Demonstrated leadership with the major industry associations, preferably at the board level. . Significant experience and proven success in the areas of deployment, market research, accountability and tracking. . Respected as an influential, strategic thinker within the industry. . Experienced in recruiting and building an exceptional sales organization. CORE COMPETENCES & CHARACTERISTICS NEEDED
. Strategic Thinker . Communicator . Extrovert . Consensus Builder . Creative . Nimble . Genuine . High Integrity . Diplomatic . Motivational . Politically Astute . Analytical . Trainer & Mentor
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TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST 6 – 9 MONTHS
. Implementation and refinement of the strategic plan developed for Meet AC. . Support and engagement of the opening Board of Directors. . Implementation of sales management and incentive plans designed for a highly performing sales operation. . Recruitment and hiring of top sales talent. . Leading a collaborative approach for the development of the annual marketing plan, the convention center budget, joint metrics/goals and customer service management approach. . Development of a financial management plan for Meet AC with fundamental checks and balances. . Finalization and agreement of the priority group markets for convention and meetings and group tours for Atlantic City with broad based support.
MEET AC ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
If you are interested in this position, please respond via e-mail with cover letter, resume, and compensation information to the following SearchWide™ Executive:
Mike Gamble, President & CEO, SearchWide™ Email: [email protected] or Phone: 651-275-1370 www.searchwide.com
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