Casino Gambling: The Icing or the Cake? Meetings & Conventions NY Jun 1979 ' .. Y
-. ) ,- 1. ,.... _._, b...,_,,... /
f e2 ,.,_
casino Gambling:
The Icing or the Cake?
Las Vegas is a resort built by gambling, while Atlantic City's legalized casinos are credited
with its rebirth. Foreign sites offer gaming as one of many attractions.
of since the Gold Rush of the BY DONNA ZACK after year is impressive. Some of the re-
turning conventions, which other cities
�
l 800s has there been anything like the speculation going on consideration in attracting some of the compete for fiercely, are the Home
at destinations where casino gambling nation's largest trade shows and conven- Builders scheduled through 1982, the
has been (or even might be) proposed tions requiring multitudes of meeting National Automobile Dealers Associa-
over the last five years or so. Even the rooms as well as enormous exhibit tion; the American Medical Association
hint of a hotel chain with casino in- space. The percentage of repeat con- (returning in 1980) and the Consumer
terests in Nevada making overtures in vention business Las Vegas boasts year Electronics Show (scheduled annually
Atlantic City, the Poconos or one of the
New York resorts is likely to bring 1�..11—
some kind of vibration in its stock - , o .c, ,' r ; ' , ! •• + •
activity. 2 . f�• 1. ' 2 'T ` : nil , *,' , `j. , i ,a: t .,.�yy !` i •
Nevada, of course, is the prime ex- s ��,; , � ` , ; ` x "
ample of what legalized gaming can do. i I .. f
It is claimed that Americans spend A .( ......
'
more in one year in Las Vegas than they ' � t1a / '
do in all of Europe on their vacation f • gip - - .
travels. What all this means to the meet- .. _. , ,: r if i ^+' ;1i { - 4,
ing and convention planner may be - ° ,1,7 ;,, - 7." r l ' . i
somewhat obscure without further ex- "' ' 1 .''
amination. Using Las Vegas as the `Y ; a'
standard (Reno's gaining ground, with i t .rr "` •' • , !1 , 'r' ,,
the surge in new hotel building over . t - -;Y 1,
the past few years) what casino gam - .s„, y Y
bling generates is an inventory of top - ^.a i{ 477x0
notch hotel rooms few non-gambling •"-. - -_ •
resorts can rival; a staggering number ® , s . 3 tr• ° '
and variety of restaurants; continuous , � .' !: , -- - . •
entertainment of the star - studded type - 4 ® `` F �
practically every night of the week (at ;.v:3 �' ^ • ` -: ' '
least on weekends at developing desti- , ° -. ?. �- . s `T2
• �. is '' „. t„- `, .,.
nations); and an atmosphere of excite- r q _
ment that reportedly draws record . �
breaking attendance at conventions and r ' ,
trade shows staged there. Las Vegas has -, V . a ` ; ,, ti ' 4.4 ' •
also built the largest single -level con- -
vention center in the U.S. — no small A turn at Dorado Beach's roulette wheel is just one of its many popular diversions.
JUNE 1979 75
' Casino Gambling continued from page
,
on a whirl with Lady Luck. The ad-
.► ' ' lt dition of glittering marquees, the entice-
*I I'� _ ment of scantily -clad show girls, top-
name entertainers and sumptuous bui-
fets were the icing on the cake, window
..".•''*. , ; at _ •' --ez: ', ,, dressing to attract gamblers. Visitors
> r ..:...„0:-.r. K were often provided free room and
_ board for a chance at the tables.
tY = It wasn't until the mid -1950s that a
t .ht =- .. _ _ t = small group of businessmen and elected
officials took a look around Las Vegas
P ARK PLACE CAS I N o /HOTEL -`r " ` r and decided the town could achieve
greater things. Conventions, they 14- Y j = lieved, were a way to future growth an
/ . 1"_ they set about finding financing to build
_ ` A A A p q _ 0, A -." + , ,t,+♦.„ ... the Las Vegas Convention Center +
o ., ,. .,, "
T oti , - _ n : ,,;.om 1 .:1. r:1. r ..... r ...., r .... r .... P"" known early in the community as "the
; _ M••— 't
- white elephant basking in the dese�
I en" CaU"Il C t"Wili , tA = CAVTIOR (.4MOMC4UT++• t. 1......++ �- '
.n s ••oawsyrw-i to i.:10 Ma. sand."
F. With the financial support of the then
Bally's Park Place, opening this fall, takes in the old Dennis, Marlboro and Blenheim. 15 major hotels, the Nevada State Legi
lature agreed to finance the constru -
through 1982). casino gambling, Las Vegas' existence tion with funds from a room tax levi d
Organizations which once shunned (as we now know it) grew out of gam- on all hotel and motel properties in
the gambling resorts, believing their bling. Elsewhere, the gambling became Clark County (Las Vegas in actuality).
business interests could not possibly be an extra added attraction to an other - This meant no tax assessments wou4d
served there, have reconsidered. In Las wise appealing list of attributes. be made on local citizens, and co -
Vegas, for example, the National As- Casinos date back 110 years in munity support then swung in favor bf
sociation of Broadcasters, the American Nevada, although they were outlawed the Center. Almost two years after
Newspaper tblishers Association and there for a time. Since 1931, when they groundbreaking, the Las Vegas Conven-
the National Association of Realtors. were again legalized, Las Vegas has tion Center opened on April 29, 1959,
are now scheduled to meet. mushroomed like a desert mi:agr. Great when the World Congress of Flight be-
Las Vegas is unique among the desti- hotels emerged one by one, each seem- came the first convention to meet at the
nations where gambling is legal, how- ing to reach a little higher than its pre - Las Vegas Convention Center.
ever. Unlike Atlantic City, San Juan, decessors— bigger meant better, and a Consisting of the 90,000 - square foot
the various Caribbean islands, Monte city grew to serve the throngs (primarily North Hall, the 20,340- square foot
Carlo, and many other resorts offering from California in the early years) bent Rotunda and 18 meeting rooms, the
Center hosted 22 meetings in its first
' year of operation. Today, celebrating
its 20th anniversary, the Center boats
785,000 square feet under one roof
the largest single -level meeting facility
in the country. Recent advertising co,y
bra— - for the Center describes very effectively
_ its load capacity. With artwork of a
prehistoric dinosaur dwarfing the driver
' and his forklift, it says, "This big fellow
,rr�" weights 50 tons but if he were around
" r` � a �� " i' 4 ' ',' ' i, � '� '- ' ' (: today he would safely walk across any ,-;
\i\ � l ' el $' 1 \ j j ' } exhibit floor in the Las Vegas Conven-
tion Center." The largest equipment
• _ TO / j -. ,� shows in the world can be accomm�o-
} "'� dated, and one of them, the American
f
Mining Congress' exhibits weigh in g at
L ' , " [) ' 250 tons.
a.. s, i , r> l ` c Making up the 785,000 total square
14I ffit t '` E ` �, tlit111111111,'"''' fee t are the original North Hall, the
}; .1 56 square foot South Hall, the
- Ells �, 'i , 105,340- square foot East Hall, the
201,800- square foot East Hall Exp4n�-
` _ sion, the original Rotunda, the 6,4$0 -
Bold and brilliant, this welcome sign is just a hint of Las Vegas' sparkle. /continued on page 00
76 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
. • Casino Gambling '
continue from page 76
square foot Gold Room and 45 ad- last year, one new hotel with meeting ties in addition to the professional
ditional meeting rooms of various seat- facilities on the premises, Sam's Town service Las Vegas has become well
ing capacities. on Boulder Highway about five miles known for in the convention industrj+.
Today, more conventions meet in from the Convention Center, opened Whether the vast recreational and
I As Vegas in one month than did in the with 204 guest rooms. entertainment menu Las Vegas now o}-
entire year of 1965. History will once Hotels in the process of expansion or fers came before or after casino gamb # -
again be made this year when the city recently completing additions are the ing seems academic by now. It's the tot 1
hosts the National Association of Sundancer with over 300 new rooms in package that is important. That package
Homebuilders with 62,442 delegates, downtown Las Vegas; the Shenandoah includes plenty of sports facilities:
the largest ever to meet in Las Vegas. on Flamingo, with 200 rooms; Vegas 18 -hole golf courses at the Desert Intl,
Delegate spending, excluding gambling World with 102 rooms, Del Webb's the Dunes, Sahara and the Tropicana.
expenditures, amounted to almost $200 Sahayywith a 600 -room addition; the Tennis courts are at the Aladdin, Cal-
million in 1978, making it among the Du es with 464_ rooms; Maxim with sars Palace, Desert Inn, Frontier, Las
most successful destinations in the 400 rooms; Cae ar's Palace with 600 Vegas Hilton, MGM Grand, Riviera, ,
world. rooms; and the Imperial Palace with Sands and the Tropicana. Of course,
Now some 23 major hotels along Las 350 rooms under construction. The swimming pools abound and healtl
Vegas Boulevard (commonly called Hacienda will break ground this year clubs, game rooms, even bowling an
"The Strip ") and on Paradise Road on a 400 -room expansion. jai alai (the fastest game in the worlc
closest to the Convention Center vie for In the last year, several properties on which you may also wager a bet) arc.
attention with spectacularly elaborate completed expansion efforts. The Fla- available in some or all of the hotels.
neon billboards, each more brilliant and mingo Hilton's 28 -story 500 -room
eye catching than the other. It is still tower brought the total room count to Reno
the gamblers who primarily pay the 1,250; the Desert Inn's $54 million ex- Reno, once upon a time, had more
fiddler (to the tune of $1.8 billion in pansion and refurbishing brought their action in the divorce courts than in the!
casino revenues in the state of Nevada total room count to 829; the Tropicana casinos. Those who could afford i
for 1978), but talk to any of the 23 Hotel's new tower brie jts room count waited out the six -week residency
hotels' directors of sales or marketing, to 1,070; and the La -Vegas Hilton is period, wiling away their time at pool -
and you'll learn that a primary role for fully open with its new tower bringing side or dallying with blackjack or other
each is soliciting those all- important the number of rooms to 2,783— the games of chance. But changing laws,
meetings and conventions that often fill largest resort hotel in the world. both in Nevada and the rest of the
hotel rooms in the mid -week valleys Summa's Frontier Hotel - Casino is country, shifted the emphasis to pro -
(Thursday to Sunday being prime time) just north of the company's new $74 moting tourism and conventions.
and those few months of the year when million shopping center. Until the opening of the 1,015 -room
tourism slips to lower levels. Meeting planners, of course, have MGM Grand in 1978, Del Webb'sl
Just when Las Vegas would seem to long ,ben familiar with names like Sahara was Reno's largest hotel with
be saturated with hotel rooms, another Aladdin, Desert Inn, MGM Grand and 610 rooms. The rest of the properties
expansion program or new hotel con- the Sands, which continue to offer ex- were in the 100 to 250 -room category.
struction project is announced. In the cellent meeting and convention facili- /continued on page 82
..f P 1 i }
( t ' q y ./'7'..r „V t .�,✓ pia Y 4/ 7 ' _ ,> .._.4 V � Yt x f . . AW,t b 1
,PP. ,st ,. *LI:- ii ,i i 1 %.:"." , ........
4 -th*afial ; .1". ,.:".. / " • 4 ■
/ 4,,
4
,..„,,,,,___, ,,,,,....,
I) • If .. r 0 41 filaW 7i .: 4::: 117 A A;
+1 to F � , k. .i 3 � . r � ,: ms '. � ' f � 0 �0 f . ,� a G, `. '' . a %
u l'... r A 1 J . , + ?.. ;: - z+' a- 77 �, * `y A,, �b.. , r '
'1'. .., , 4' r : „, A l f i 0 .P i t t ' 'a , r 1 C.... r . '% t • - . --1 - ..."*4-..... e - i.s,, k. \ 1 4, ".c+ ` 1'" A..' , � ' ,,..tau} ',:',...,-..t,...-1,%- . �`. .t '�' - ' .
H � �' A sa • N . etn , J i s .Z ∎ ..... ! i, + / : • 1 _ ^ � .L.„. " ' ' / IA', f It
National Association of Homebuilders' first of four meetings brought 62,442 delegates to Las Vegas this year, the largest ever. ,
80
..- MEETINGS S CONVENTIONS
. X
C asino Gambling continued form page 80
1
' Opening in July this year will be the
Eldorado Hotel /Casino's 10 -story ad- ' . • r ,. �'` - `�`` '., �` •
dition bringing the total rooms to 430 i i tt.� * ,k `
adding a new 650 -seat showroom, and % ' "�,�" .�`' �; ; ` `• -- A '' � ,. � „ ,'
containing 20,000 square feet of meet- a � ^..; R ■ , : -4,- / ' . - •ing space. \ t ."':, y`' -ft:: r <,-•: . , A .. , r. , � %`
Completing expansions in July will \ • ,.. % A e ,, iz; .`.`' , ...
f
be the 600 -room Sundowner with 15,- i -,
000 square feet of meeting space and , J t ' 'al.;
` �
tom d
the Sands with 400 guest rooms and
, am i t "" y f % �' Ty
12,000 square feet of meeting space. If ;.r --� ' . ` ' ��,, c ////
an lace west of the Rockies could be ' E r ' /" ( `�• ` * t d' '
called a "boom" town in the 70's it a .,- ,, . f, • ° , ' i _ # 4. b.., �, "
would have to be Reno. ► „,, ' ' r � � mo + ' � •, � � ~ ' ` ''' ea
Until recently, Reno suffered a dearth ! i , '' ' R4 , fir,,: t Z , ., , , 'F, 1 •
of non -stop and convenient connecting z�1 �; o - ' : ;' s' 't � ; Y � ir 1, } . A r.: •
flights from more than a few cities, and t�r ' .
limited lift capacity, which hindered its ( ;' * ' i ~ 4 -.� ', `, -Y ,-
selection as a national convention des- A ► x 1 , i '
tination. But in 1978, it enjoyed a a
' : `'"�' # healthy 16 percent increase in total ° `a 4' 4 ? _ Vis � �► = � $
visitors, including a significant jump in • A •..
convention business. The MGM Grand "•:* s i g . . If
alone hosted 800 meetings, much of it. + y � + ms . . ,� '
from California, admittedly, but 90 per- ,.a,� y Y. 5 •�r i •
cent of that coming to Reno for the first ( � , '� �,, ti : - ' 4 ; �„
time.
According to Roy Powers of the
/continued on page 84 To date, Atlantic City hotel /casinos combine new construction with renovation.
® OK1ATifHENEWELDORAD ` -
emodeled,.expanded and totally dazzling.
' � s. ..� 7 ::'. s '•L ....4 "'kz . lif }, v t. x. j .r * ,'�' .•. �.} - '",i•. y .4- t
nth a'New'ower. of Comfort-end Luxur E .Trite Sale D artment '» ?
y � P
*.With a'L'avish"New Casino L4,,- Surroundin � '»..,. , . .ourth &Virginia St ., Reno,*NV <
,•"Four,Sensational New Restaurants '`,'k+ :7 0 '
? a'New'Orleans Courtyard. . .� g -1 -; ..` °.----.• 02) 786 , f;-�• 570� 8950,5 ` =
:.
`.
;New_Convention Facilities to , '' ccorrimodate any group , ,. OTEL'- CASINO , '
1CALLTTOLL`FREE , s / "
`` \ : - 1 4; s OWNTOWN , RENO
f800- 648 -5966 ` (+� �
< s. , ar r.
' *• a "x't. < � -10 ' er
7 s Y 4 V fi t - j . y c . ry "w � ❑ ' t`. .
_ a j. 'wok K l II Y
..4 _...4 - ' ' • . A i 4$ . . 4,,„_44,,,_ "0.71 '1 7, 4 4.1. 1 A, ti
, .,, a f 110RdD0 aSI .. • ' 41
< y trims ,aIC 1411CW,<itNH»(
tt, {r
82 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
-
— f
• '1{
C asino Gambling continued from page 82
1t_1 ! i.- +.7 -!' .ry���),��w =� 1 � S lirF�� ,- L L - �t J' .s- .y +'a•^" -•-'" _ _ JM .-.. f ��N �� � .ii'J. . .-: .. 0 1.7, tip ' - _ .r fi t ' • , r_ '" ;_ ��r' Y iI .vf . �, .,,V yn ... jj — iq - - j:. `�_,- : A IS s. j ' -',:
'= - �a:",.a,,. �:= - - may • s *� i ' _ ,tf`.*`- . -, 4 ' • - •. „ r • .
Atlantic City's seaside Boardwalk profile changes daily as hotel /casino construction sites progress toward opening dates.
■ Reno Convention Bureau, compared Reno International Airport is under- drive of Lake Tahoe and its many
with the period three years ago, con- going a $5 million expansion program pleasures, and close to Virginia City
vention business will be up over 400 to match the accelerated air passenger and its silver mining town atmosphe ,
percent for 1979, most of that national growth, increasing its passenger termi- definite assets.
association convention business. nal to four times its existing size. Due Complementing the 2,000 new hot 1
Along with the rapid growth in the for completion in 1980, the new termi- rooms added recently is the 113,00 -
number of superior hotel rooms in nal will have second story loading and square foot Centennial Coliseum, the
Reno, increased air service contributed 18 boarding gates. It is interesting to city's modern convention center, with
greatly to the record year of growth. note that, according to Reno's master a maximum seating capacity of 7,000
New service was added by Air Cali- plan, this expansion was not anticipated and 16 meeting rooms seating up to
fomia, Br niff, Delta and PSA. A total until 1995, but with investment in hotel 2,000.
of nine airlines provide 7,000 seats a building and the successful marketing For a long time, Reno suffered from
day into Reno from across the country. of the city, the airport plan became an the chicken - and -egg syndrome. Hotel
Chicago has five non - stops; Denver, immediate priority. companies waited for one another to
four; Los Angeles, 10 and San Fran- A tradition of friendliness has long make a major move, and when MGM
cisco, 16; and from one to five non- made Reno popular with many visitors, Grand took the plunge, it didn't take
stops per day from eight other cities who also find its compactness and con- long for the others to follow. And tin
across the country. venient location— within an hour's came additional air service—all of tne
essential ingredients for attracting net
r , �. ►. g ' 1 ' i only vacationers and gamblers, but con -
0 " ' L ' IP. i a1,S1 '�b vention planners and delegates as we 1.
' ... [ I I I 14 .
— I "i ' l .t �, , 1 Lake Tahoe
" ;: ? ; ill This area of spectacularly beautif il -
�, _ _ �� i evidence of Mother Nature's capabi i-
'° 7 r' 7 �4 4 1 i E = ` '; ties has enough attractions in the for4n
• _ _ — � ?s # I;- ; of sports (golf, tennis, skiing in winter,
4 '---- c�, 1 k boating in summer, and so forth) d
-11 , ; _ a .: : r• , - scenery, so that casino gambling and
woad) , O - ' _ - , . ' 0 Q 1, j i' _ r_ top -name entertainment somehow seem
-- i "}� _ � � . t, } 1 , f ; _. . .. --- - superfluous. Yet they certainly a
' � �' , „ f „ . 1 i„ , �— —°� f} .4 extra added attractions for the enjoy-
; ti_� { -1,i, ,t .1 • . -, ment of visitors and meeting attende,s
frr ,,. �a .,,,.. 4 # ,: 4 .,, ' : a i n the vicinity.
p i,....; 1 --- ! i' 1 f- z . ,- , "' ` "# Whether you're holding a meeting at do =IN Cal -Neva on the norther most port
i =� - 1 0 of Lake Tahoe, at the Hy Lake Tahoee
ilit. " = ° •- - Y at Incline Village to the north or at
_ at Inn ►'s or th
I I/ e = Del Webb Sahara at
S - g --1--",-.".:'' - ..- -- - ° 4. . - - . 4\ '
Tahoe on the south shore, the com i-
' y,= '=` " ` � "" nation of beautiful surroundings, fi e
s " ` "` _ meeting facilities, good entertainment,
I. ! From Atlantic City Convention Hall to Resorts Intl —a 15 min. Boardwalk stroll. /continued on page 06
e4 ' MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
x --
l Casino Gambling continued form page 84
excitement of gambling and excellent -
sports facilities is a big factor in drawing '"` - ,.�,� > ^"
a strong repeat clientele to the area .- - 7- -- -' -,-- - mow.,* •' ,-r
r. ti an i " ,�
Atlantic City -. - "` ; z,, < ` r
The headlines read, `"There's A New ` . z - -�"% ;_;�� , -4 ' .. .,, `'• ; 1,--4
Deal in Atlantic City," "You Ought
to See What's Happening in Atlantic "' ,' + 5„ rr ,,
t . a . �t��,' }',�'Ee „e-„:",•-.„:• 1(G�..� • — �'C^y i
City. Atlantic City's Getting Young- , ' -..:., . '” t - " ' 4 li
er Every Day." The city's advertising . , : =. .. - ` , " s •z+-' .. ' .
4,'. . i ,<: a .w -..
obviously takes advantage of the al- ;r - ^0.' ° ' �.
lure of casino gambling ,r "" °° "` 's '� -, -`"• ` ' -
CBSIn g ing flS a visitor * ' ► x + ~ '` "r i.- 1 �
attraction, but if you read on, it be- . . :' . ` , -•,� t ", r'`' " > ,'`ter` rr '''
h
comes clear that the city fathers intend - - • = " ��' r
to promote all of this long - standing "y � ` "� =-, a. ' r
'
resort's assets: "expansive, clean, fine- ""' .lit• ; ` _'
'
sand beaches; miles of shop-lined r µ ` > � ' -
boardwalk; - - '� ill'i ,. ..:�_ ~�`
r walk; amusement piers; cultural ,`" ' _ '•� °� �F a ' . ,
programs and concerts; superior res- `- , 4 - �I s.' - a _
taurants; olf, tennis fishin c clin ° „„,,,F • j . - .',, `
on the Walk . ." And now, "great . — . "' "" ...∎∎• v " > "`
new hotels ... star - studded entertain- ; "�
. �, h
ment in new cabaret theaters. . ,and ... „ , r '' / •
for those who seek the unique diver -
it e,.. - - °" � '"" •14- -,..,..p....4. - 4,7,.., ;. "` "!'' — "'� `rt. 1, �•,
FitAriii4 it sions they offer, thrilling big casinos!' ! f - ''`s " _ "°""° � a. ' I
What's happening in Atlantic City „ ` A , r ' ' � ... ' r; '� t " °
is perhaps the best example of what the 1 -: , ..
legalization of casino gambling can do a L , _ ,' ? '"�
both to and for a city. At 0,- `'" "° r-,. • _., ;R' -: . •r
our last writ- • :•=, °
ing on the subject (June, 1978 issue) ' R 14 �'` ~ ` ►bt! �•'''
. "•• -*•,:„.-16-4.
;_
Resorts International had been issued t• ``' _r ;'�• _ " -`•.' ` :°
a temporary gaming license and ex- (Above) The way it was in 1957, when the Las Vegas Convention Center broke
pected to open their casino in the for- ground and was referred to locally as "the white elephant basking in the
mer Chalfonte- Haddon Hotel.Atmost desert sand." (Below) Today, as the largest single -level facility in the nation
one year after its debut, Resorts Inter- the Center helps to make Las Vegas one of the most successful convention
national has finally been awarded a destinations in the world. More conventions meet in one month there now
permanent license after intensive in- than did the entire first year of its operation 20 years ago.
vestigations by the authorities. In the "
the casino has realized some .
�-
interim, th ° " .si'
$200 million (of which the State of ; •�` . •
New Jersey should get $30 million, ac-
cording to The New York Times), and >. f
between this one casino operation and y
other new construction in progress, At-
lantic City's unemployment rate has
dropped from 14.3 to 8.5 percent.
Besides the innumerable restaurants
operating in the ResortsJIatel and the Y
recently opened Boardwalk Regency , r y
a^°•
• e- �.� ig � -� � ' *�"� ---� 'w� �.., --
(a Caesars' operation), existing lad
pendent restaurants are refurbishing L.' _ � ' 4- •�:, • • to meet the competition and new ones ' ^ .- " ` L " ' -- � , - s _.;;;,� _
are opening like the flowers that bloom "T ` "` i -
in the spring. Weekend entertainment �' m y
at Resorts in the month of June, in- ,_
eludes Joan Rivers, Neil Sedaka, Ella ' i - :' :' !''"
Fitzgerald, Bill Cosby and Buddy ,-- y "�� �►N� .
Hackett. Come July, there are none �" ' � ' ' • • other than Tom Jones ,. ` ,} A , � ` ? � • Cher Tony t . •,mil „ s -. " •-
Bennett, Danny Thomas, and more r wK a�
What has it done for convention '"' t �* ""�%'
/continued on page 88 - , 2, : %.. , _ - , , -T-.:-.\ ,_�--- ,,�
86 _
MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
• — N/
CASINO GAMBLING continued from page 86
business? Gerry Kauper, head of the "This really reflects the spirit of the ing and the reported displacement of
Atlantic City Convention Bureau, casino gambling referendum at work elderly and low- income families un-
, told us, "Ninety -five percent of the right now," said Mr. Kauper. "The able to meet the higher cost of rent and
business we've booked for the years ancillary facilities that accompany inflated property values, the majority
1981 -87, which is worth a billion dol- casinos will revitalize Atlantic City of locals I spoke to are excited by
lars, would not have been in our realm and help to restore it as a major con- what's happening. The air is alive with
without the referendum (legalized vention destination in this country. anticipation of the city's bright future.
casino gambling). When you translate a convention like It is the land of opportunity and that
"Our Convention Center is the larg- The Pittsburgh Conference, with 20,- opportunity extends to the meeting and
est one in the eastern United States, 000 people spending around $300 each convention planner who needs not only
and the third largest in the country, over a three or four -day stay, it results the facilities, but the kind of excite-
, offering a total of 523,870 square feet in about $6 million infused into the ment Atlantic City will offer up once
of exhibit space and auditorium seat- community." enough hotels to complement the Con -
ing for 40,000. So many conventions Reading the List of hotel projects vention Center meeting space are open
have long needed these facilities, but either under construction or due to Here is a list of the properties com-
we didn't have the number of quality begin is mind - boggling in itself. But a ing on stream this year and next:
hotel accommodations. By the end of walk along the Boardwalk and /or 1. Resorts International, 570 rooms
1979, we will have 7,000 hotel rooms Pacific Avenue one block off the Walk and casino open, with 20,000 square
back in our inventory, and by the end is facing reality. No matter which di- feet of function space: capacity for
of 1980, about another 3,000 are rection you turn, there is a construc- meetings, 1,750; banquets, 1,400.
scheduled for completion." tion. Steel superstructures loom above
2. Boardwalk Regency (Caesar's
On the day of my visit with him sidewalk barricades boldly displaying World), 537 rooms open and the cad
local news media had just announced the hotel's name and artist renderings sino scheduled for opening this month
the booking of Atlantic City's first big of the finished product. Heavy equip- 30,000 square feet of meeting space
, new annual convention in years — The ment moves on and off Pacific Avenue
Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical in a steady stream, as local traffic police 3. Park Place (a Bally operation)
Chemistry and Applied Spectostrophy, at every intersection try to maintain due to open 515 rooms and casino ir
commonly called simply The Pittsburgh some kind of orderly procession. late summer, with 35,000 square fee
Conference. In spite of local motorists' grumbl- /continued on page 9(
.4 ' .. : ' ` • f „ t: A NEW DIME NSION SORTSI
�z ` - . ; ,, , ` Welcome toe totally different dimension in resorts. Resorts International Hotel Casino is a
u ■ 1.r..-- ' � s dazzling world of entertainment designed to cater to your every pleasure.
rut ; . " Discover the excitement of the Superstar Theatre, featuring the brightest stars in show 44 4 - "Viiiite .+ �' , business. Sparkling ocean beaches. Exclusive designer boutiques. The shimmering
.•
w A.C: Disco. And, of course, the magnificent hotel casino, offering Blackjack, Roulette,
i t. : � Craps, Slots, Big Six, and Baccarat.
` ....=
x Al For a truly special convention, Resorts offers exciting new dimensions in entertainment,
at K
,=,
` ' .„.'1 � ' r ,�'1,� � �7 - ,,�C recreation and ddining. We have the space your meetings require. From seminar-size
4 �, t : �^ x rooms to the Superstar Theatre at over 22,000 square feet. Audio and video equipment
-t r 1:::' 1 ',t 'ti� � ' "` are available upon request. Let us help with your special needs when you call.
y� 4' For convention information S Reservations, I hone (6 340.6025.
4 t r i ce. '6 \ \
z
Y z- f, `� . ‘ D RESORTS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL CASINO
, • j �° , ''' North Carolina Avenue and Doordwalk, Atlantk City, New Jersey 08404 ' .,..0.44...
' ..
, ° For reservations and Information: From Conn Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania,
x -.)„10 1 , .e. •fi Virginia and Washington, D.C. call toll free: (800)257-8122. I .N From New Jersey, call ,
f i collect: (609) 344 -5131.
M ^ "wa ., g i l t ,- ResonsIntemational. Inc .ownsandopereresthe&itanniaBe chHotelandoceanCtub esseu,Baharnes.
Y -. - - Thecompanyatsoo ,Freeport.Bahamas.
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`may -is. fin > i A t . F4, , ; , IFri t ti w „,„,„, s;
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s
8S MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
• Charlie Hardison is one of our best salesmen... CASINO GAMBLING
continued from page 88
j r of meeting space (14,400 square fo )t
3.► ballroom divisible into eight sections;
i 15,000 square feet of exhibit space)
d ; maximum meeting capacity of 2,000
► L x , • .; ,�'r ` . j ;�.; and 1,400 for banquets.
� ! , � r , ° , 1,- 4. The Phoenix (Adam of New
esi , *, illi .... , , � -, • ' �Y � Jersey, affiliated with RactCada) due to .41 71, ` °' open first phase with 549 rooms in Oc-
e u s tober this year, with 26,200 square
F
, i ir: # . i feet of meeting space.
'_
4 - (At press time, the New Jersey CI-
v :• r sino Control Commission had rejected
F fi r: t
4. Ramada's plans to reconstruct the Am-
r bassador Hotel on the basis that it wants
• V/ .r ' totally new construction. — Editor's
a� %." - Note)
f 5. Penthouse Boardwalk (Board -
...and he doesn't even walk Properties) also due to open i n
work for us... Mr. Hardison plans conventions for his fall this year with 508 rooms; 24,000
sales force and has utilized the services of the Sands for many years. square feet of meeting rooms; 6,000
He feels the Sands offers him excellent facilities and meeting space square feet for exhibits.
conducive to effective and successful meetings. For this reason,
Mr. Hardison has recommended the Sands to his many business Opening in 1980
associates. Mr. Hardison is Vice President and Pacific Coast Sales 6. Holiday Inn (Marina Assoc
Manager of Foster & Kleiser, ates) scheduled to open May, 1980
A Division of with 514 rooms; 13,000 square feet o
Metro Media, Inc. $1,y For lurther information exhibit space; 5,100 s uare feet of
Sa�S' ca ou Sates Department p q
A HOWARD Collett meeting space and 13,000 square fe
HUGHES HOTEL (702) 7335000 for banquets.
LAS VEGAS 7. Dunes Hotel, scheduled to open
y y # = June_1,_1980,_with_520.rooms; 14,500 • A N o.l't h : La ke '' ` _ s quare feet of exhibit space and 21,000
'. „ »., ,.,,, „.„.. A , � ;► 4 ... square f eet of meet space.
-
S51 ,, . a h o e' 1 C l a S51 C « 94 i s ” 8. Golden Nugget East scheduled
< f I�` z for summer, 1980, opening with 520
� t N � 25 500 square feet of meet - H & 1 Io ` ' r,, : ing sp ace.
fi r ' j7 h R y r „ t1t T a , .1 r^ esi t
' i :: 4 { k m , * ` 9. Greate Bay Casino due to open
‘� ���" summer, 1980, with 515 rooms and
( EIL NEY'a °, � _ - ,aEVa 25,532 square feet of meeting space.
" om
' `` 10. Benihana Hotel scheduled far '-'4,
O DGE e + ^ kill
' � Li' ' .. �� opening June 1, 1980, with 504 room
x • :1 -et' 1 d 1 4 ' k , and meeting space as yet unannounced.
; , -? .1 Vert ►' +� , ' The remainder
Others
include with the a late 1980 openin
MISIMEMEWEINE I , «'.t ; date Pla with 500
�, r rooms and 25,000 square feet of meet -
t a.
e. , 1 . ing sp ace and the Ritz with 544 rooms
r r
- r f' a and 26,616 square feet off exhibit an
..--.,, .,.. a x s yV :-. r * � ,. . , meeting space. •
4 4 , J �y # Probably another 10 hotel/casino
,4 a� '4* : , � projects are on the drawing boards,
En jov fabulou , entertainment,finecontinen , .si with the Harrah's, MGM and Hilton
tal l and disco dancing ,See spectacular , - -
v Ew s'of, Lak ah oe ffomlthe famous Cir e, ' joint venture to divide up a 35 - acr
Bar , the''co n
eition'�+�fa`cilities nor froiri,.Vou - V x' ' tract of land in the marina area at thg
•
ownspaciousrroom e :vNJi� ..
Minutes ;away from,aii - northern tip of Absecon Island (which
summer ow n ter sports activities tits as .- encompasses Atlantic City). No fewer
ex�citmg ; or r relaxing as you wish- -- name than ei ht hotel /casino ro ects have
any; timetanyTseason `Ttanspor Address g p 1
[anon Avatlable;2For enure- ih r already been mentioned in connection
format ,call toil frees " ` mall to: cai• Neva Lodge, P.0.13ox368, with the Marina location.
(800 48'a57f7,pr write ° NV 894. GAMS • I think you will have to agree that
/continued on page 92
90 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS
1