Former Louisville CVB Leader, Jim Wood, Tapped to Head Meet AC in Atlantic City
June 17, 2014
After stepping down from the top post at the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau earlier this year, Jim Wood has been tapped to run newly formed Meet AC, a private non-profit sales organization with a sole focus on building the convention, meeting and group market for Atlantic City.
Wood will begin his new role June 30.
“The entire board was very impressed with Jim’s highly successful track record of accomplishments,” said Jeff Albrecht, Meet AC board chairperson and general manager, Sheraton, Atlantic City.
He added, “Everyone we spoke to about Jim reiterated his strong sales performance in every venture he took on. He is the perfect collaborator, strategist and leader to take meetings and conventions in Atlantic City to the next level.”
Meet AC began operations on April 28 and is funded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), with an annual budget of $8 million beginning July 1.
Wood will hire a staff and lead the Meet AC sales effort to generate both citywide and single-property bookings.
He formerly was president and CEO of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Wood led efforts to bring to Louisville several large trade shows, including the hosting of the record-setting FFA at an economic impact of more than $40 million annually.
Other accomplishments include the opening of a state-of-the-art Visitors Center in 2007; the launch of the regional tourism partnership of Bourbon Country, one of the few multi-city cooperative marketing campaigns; and the awarding of the American Bus Association annual conference in 2016.
Wood also was instrumental in signing long-term contracts with multiple conventions, including the upcoming SkillsUSA Convention.
In Atlantic City, there have been several changes during the past few years to better position the city as a convention and meetings destination:
- In February 2011, the NJ S-11 legislation called for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) to be merged into the CRDA, with the exception of convention and group sales and convention services.
- The decision to create Meet AC was the result of two independent studies.
- The legislation also called for the creation of the Atlantic City Alliance, a tourism marketing organization for the leisure market segment funded by the casino industry through 2016 with a $150 million initial investment.
- The Atlantic City Alliance began operations in September 2011 and launched the “Do Anything, Do Everything, DO AC” campaign in April 2012.
Meet AC will work in collaboration with the CRDA, the Atlantic City Alliance and Global Spectrum, a newly selected management company of the Greater Atlantic City Convention Center and Historic Boardwalk Hall.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
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