From beauty queens to mail carriers and candy store owners, the week of Sept. 8 will be a busy one at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The facility will welcome more than 9,900 attendees over the course of five events in the next seven days.
“The Atlantic City Convention Center is humming with activity this week as the fall convention season begins,” said Karen Totaro, general manager, Global Spectrum, Atlantic City Convention Center.
Included among the events is the Philadelphia National Candy Gourmet & Gift Show, America’s largest tradeshow for the retail confectioner, which will take place Sept. 7-9 and will host more than 5,000 attendees. During the same dates, the Arett Lawn & Garden Show will bring together professionals of the lawn care and gardening industry for educational sessions and a show floor featuring more than 40,000 products and 1,800 retailers.
Another unique event that the convention center will host is the set-up and rehearsal for the 2014 Miss America “Show Us Your Shoes” Parade on Sept. 13. To wrap up the week, the convention center will welcome more than 1,200 postmasters for the 2014 NAPUS National Convention, which will be held Sept. 13-17.
“Our staff is cleaning and polishing in preparation for the thousands expected to walk through the front doors over the next several days,” added Totaro. “Shows are setting up and the forklifts are in full swing as exhibitors begin unpacking their show wares and attendees file in to register. The energy and excitement is palatable in the venue as we try to anticipate the clients every need. We work to ensure we have happy customers and happy attendees to ensure repeat business to Atlantic City.”
The weeklong events are expected to significantly boost activity for Atlantic City’s local businesses. The estimated economic impact is expected to be more than $5 million, and the convention center visitors will be occupying more than 6,000 hotel rooms.
