Atlantic City Honors its Hospitality Superstars at 26th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 12, 2025) – The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and Visit Atlantic City recognized 135 individuals for their exemplary service to visitors at the 26th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards and Spirit of Hospitality Award, held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in the Adrian Phillips Theater at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Saluting the front-line and back-of-the-house employees who are the backbone of Atlantic City’s hospitality industry, the annual event encourages outstanding customer service and recognizes those who contribute to the resort’s success as a world-class tourism destination.

Speakers and presenters at the event included CRDA Executive Director Eric Scheffler, CRDA Deputy Executive Director Maisha Moore, Visit Atlantic City President and CEO Gary Musich, and Miss New Jersey Elizabeth Mendel. Former Visit Atlantic City President and CEO, Larry Sieg, emceed the event.

The 27 Atlantic City Host Award winners were selected from more than 250 nominees by a selection committee consisting of educators and representatives from Stockton University, Atlantic Cape Community College, Local 54, Marriott Vacation Club International, Masterpiece Advertising, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Visit Atlantic City.

As part of this year’s ceremony, the annual “Spirit of Hospitality” Award was given to Ralph E. Hunter, Sr., founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey (AAHMSNJ). The award honors an outstanding individual who has made a long-lasting contribution to the Atlantic City tourism and hospitality industry.

Mr. Hunter has curated hundreds of exhibits that showcase the region’s unique and valuable impact on Black History. The AAHMSNJ has locations at Stockton University’s Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Center in Newtonville, NJ. The Traveling Museum visits schools, businesses and community organizations throughout the state year-round.

Also at the event, the CRDA Foundation and Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association awarded scholarships to students pursuing degrees in hospitality from Stockton University (Hannah Cohen, Tyler McDonnell, Kaylie Shannon and Grace Tarantino) and from Atlantic Cape Community College (Lilly Guest, Charlotte Johner, Clive Morgan and Renata Riesenberg).

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About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com, and follow us on Facebook and X.

About Visit Atlantic City
Visit Atlantic City is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through leisure tourism, conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism.

Atlantic City is a premier travel destination on the East Coast with the first Boardwalk to open in the United States. Attracting visitors with its diverse array of tourism offerings, Atlantic City is home to nine casino resorts, an eclectic culinary scene, vibrant history, thrilling entertainment and family-friendly adventures, making it the ultimate destination where celebrations live on and inspire visitors to create memory making moments.

For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Photos:

High-resolution image assets can be found here and should be credited to Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).

Media Contacts:
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)
Karen Martin
[email protected]

Visit Atlantic City
Jessica Kasunich
[email protected]