Signaling a bold commitment to revitalizing Atlantic City, Harrah’s Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Tropicana Atlantic City Corp. have joined forces and formed an alliance dedicated to making the city a thriving resort destination. The 501(c)(4) organization, known as the Atlantic City Alliance, will work together with the Governor and the Legislature to implement the vision of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gaming, Sports and Entertainment which is focused on growing Atlantic City’s tourism economy and making the city a better place to live and work. To further this objective, the casino resort industry will dedicate $30 million annually, plus savings derived from regulatory reform, toward a new marketing initiative for Atlantic City and other objectives of the Atlantic City Alliance, and work to implement the master plan for the Atlantic City Tourism District.
“The casino industry commends the leadership demonstrated by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gaming, Sports and Entertainment. We are encouraged by the Christie Administration’s partnership with city government to improve municipal administration and finance, and look forward to working with Governor Christie and the legislative leadership to make the Commission’s bold recommendations for Atlantic City a reality. While the Alliance’s members are all competitors, we all share a common vision of revitalizing Atlantic City, both for her residents and her visitors,” said Mark Juliano, President of the Casino Association of New Jersey and CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.
The Atlantic City Alliance’s founding members are:
- Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.
- Gary Loveman, CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment
- Don Marrandino, President, Harrah’s Entertainment-Eastern Division
- Keith Smith, President and CEO, Boyd Gaming Corporation
- Bob Boughner, President and COO, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
- Mark Giannantonio, President and CEO, Tropicana Atlantic City Corp.
The Alliance has a five pronged blueprint to revitalize the city which they plan to implement in a private – public partnership with the help of both the state and local government. The focus of the Alliance’s efforts will be to:
- Work with the Tourism District and to improve the safety and cleanliness of Atlantic City’s streets
- Improve and more greatly invest in marketing activities to boost tourism
- Attract more convention activities and visitors
- Attract more families and non-gaming tourists to make Atlantic City a word-class destination resort
- Prepare a master plan by July 2011 to increase demand for the tourism areas of Atlantic City
The Alliance believes this five pronged plan of action will provide the necessary improvements to completely transform the city.
Corporate citizens, small business owners, trade unions and stakeholders from throughout New Jersey applauded the Alliance.
“Atlantic City is critical to New Jersey’s economy. This Alliance will play an integral role in making Atlantic City a stronger economic asset for our state. I commend the casinos for their $30 million dollar commitment to help make this vision a reality that all New Jerseyans will benefit from,” added Governor Jim Florio.
“The Atlantic City Alliance will bring overwhelming benefits to the people of Atlantic City. Its efforts will dramatically increase tourism, which will mean more jobs and more capital investment in the area,” said Will Pauls, President of the Atlantic-Cape May Building & Construction Trades Council.
Atlantic City is already a vital economic asset for the state of New Jersey, and accounts for one-third of the state’s tourism. The Alliance is confident that through their efforts, tourism and revenues will dramatically increase, and a positive economic impact will be felt across the state.
“New Jerseyans should take notice. The casino industry has formed this group in order to jointly tackle Atlantic City’s challenges. Having all of the industry leaders around the table, with one goal, is a very powerful force for change. The more tourists we can attract to Atlantic City, the more jobs we can create,” said, Bob McDevitt, President of UNITE HERE! Local 54.
“There are thousands of small business owners in all 21 New Jersey counties who rely on the Atlantic City casinos to support their business. Efforts to increase tourism will help these small businesses grow their bottom line, and improve the economic environment across the state,” said Joseph Kelly, President of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber.
“The Atlantic City Alliance’s plan will create a large uptick in Atlantic City’s tourism and revenues. My charter bus company provides transportation to and from Atlantic City for thousands of passengers every year. An increase in tourism to Atlantic City will help me grow my bottom line and create more jobs,” said James R. Murphy III, President of Saddle River Tours, a tour bus operator based in Bergen County that provides transportation to and from the resort.
According to a recent Rutgers University Report, Atlantic City casino resorts support over 100,000 jobs across the state including their direct employment of more than 38,000 New Jersey residents, and generate over $900 million dollars in tax revenue for state and local government. In addition, Atlantic City casino resorts spend more than $2 billion dollars a year in New Jersey with more than 2,000 small businesses across the state.