Atlantic City celebrates unsung heroes of tourism. Atlantic City celebrates excellence in hospitality. Atlantic City celebrates diversity. Atlantic City celebrates legacy. Atlantic City celebrates front-line workers. Atlantic City celebrates service. Atlantic City celebrates the heart of its tourism industry. Atlantic City celebrates every smile, every gesture, every guest experience.

At the 26th Host Awards, Atlantic City celebrates unsung heroes of tourism like never before. Atlantic City celebrates those who rarely step into the spotlight. Atlantic City celebrates names not found on billboards, but on guest thank-you notes. Atlantic City celebrates passion, dedication, and impact. Atlantic City celebrates the power of people.

CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight excellence in every corner. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight excellence in every role. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight excellence across departments. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight diversity through every nominee. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight diversity as strength. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight legacy built one guest at a time. CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight legacy that shapes the future of Atlantic City hospitality.

Moreover, Atlantic City celebrates unsung heroes of tourism not with fanfare, but with gratitude. Atlantic City celebrates their excellence. Atlantic City celebrates their diversity. Atlantic City celebrates their legacy.

As CRDA and Visit Atlantic City spotlight excellence, they spotlight the soul of the city. They spotlight diversity. They spotlight legacy. At the 26th Host Awards, Atlantic City celebrates unsung heroes of tourism—and gives them the stage they have long deserved.

In a powerful moment of recognition and reflection, Atlantic City rolled out the red carpet for the people who define its spirit—those working tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front lines of hospitality. On May 7, 2025, inside the iconic Adrian Phillips Theater at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 135 standout individuals were honored during the 26th Annual Atlantic City Host Awards and Spirit of Hospitality ceremony.

Hosted by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and Visit Atlantic City, the event served as a heartfelt tribute to the employees who elevate guest experiences every day and contribute directly to the city’s resilience and growing status as a premier U.S. tourism hub.

This celebration wasn’t just about recognizing work—it was about amplifying the people who make Atlantic City unforgettable.

From Bell Desks to Boardrooms: The Real Stars of Atlantic City

The Host Awards recognized 27 winners chosen from over 250 nominees. From housekeeping to concierge, restaurant servers to security staff—this diverse group of honorees embodies what hospitality truly means. These professionals don’t just serve—they engage, connect, and create meaningful experiences for millions of visitors.

In a competitive market defined by big-name hotels, dazzling casinos, and packed boardwalks, it’s these individuals who turn one-time visitors into lifelong fans.

By uplifting these unsung heroes, Atlantic City is doubling down on service as its core value proposition in a fast-evolving tourism economy.

Spotlight on Legacy: Spirit of Hospitality Award Honors Ralph E. Hunter, Sr.

This year’s Spirit of Hospitality Award, the ceremony’s highest honor, was awarded to Ralph E. Hunter, Sr., founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey (AAHMSNJ).

Mr. Hunter’s decades-long commitment to preserving Black history and culture in the region has transformed local tourism beyond entertainment and gaming. Through hundreds of curated exhibits, two museum locations, and a traveling exhibition program, he has built bridges between past and present, visitors and residents.

His recognition underscores a growing shift in tourism—from traditional hospitality to cultural storytelling and community engagement. It’s a reminder that legacy and inclusion are shaping the future of Atlantic City’s brand identity.

Elevating Tomorrow’s Talent: Scholarships Reward the Next Generation

The ceremony also looked ahead, spotlighting the future of Atlantic City’s tourism workforce. The CRDA Foundation and Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association awarded hospitality scholarships to students from Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College.

Recipients included Hannah Cohen, Tyler McDonnell, Kaylie Shannon, and Grace Tarantino from Stockton, and Lilly Guest, Charlotte Johner, Clive Morgan, and Renata Riesenberg from Atlantic Cape.

These awards are more than financial support—they’re signals of investment in long-term workforce development. With the hospitality sector facing ongoing staffing challenges, Atlantic City is choosing to grow its talent pool from within.

A Region on the Rise: Atlantic City’s Tourism Resurgence Continues

The event comes amid strong signs of tourism recovery in Atlantic County. With major conferences returning, beach tourism surging, and new hospitality developments underway, the city is positioned for continued growth in 2025 and beyond.

In recent months, hotel occupancy rates have surged by 12% year-over-year, with regional tourism spend climbing thanks to group travel, events, and cultural tourism.

Events like the Host Awards reinforce Atlantic City’s efforts to balance entertainment with authenticity—an increasingly essential formula for post-pandemic travel success.

CRDA and Visit Atlantic City Push Hospitality to the Forefront

Led by CRDA Executive Director Eric Scheffler, Deputy Executive Director Maisha Moore, and Visit Atlantic City President and CEO Gary Musich, the city’s tourism authorities are leaning into people-first policy.

From investing in neighborhood beautification to supporting community-centered tourism initiatives, both organizations have made it clear: elevating service and storytelling are essential to Atlantic City’s long-term visitor appeal.

The presence of Miss New Jersey Elizabeth Mendel and returning emcee Larry Sieg, former Visit Atlantic City CEO, further underscored the unity and pride within the local tourism ecosystem.

Emotional Connections Drive Viral Momentum

Unlike flashy expos or corporate summits, the Host Awards resonate because they’re deeply human.

They recognize smiles behind reception desks. Problem-solvers in kitchens. Comfort providers during chaotic moments. And cultural leaders like Mr. Hunter, who show that tourism isn’t just about what you see—it’s about who you meet.

This emotion is exactly what today’s travelers crave. As booking decisions become more values-driven, destinations that celebrate human connection and community culture are winning hearts—and headlines.

Tourism Trendspotting: Why Atlantic City’s Host Awards Matter

In a global travel landscape crowded with luxury trends and AI innovations, service remains the soul of tourism. And Atlantic City is capitalizing on it.

By formally recognizing its hospitality workforce each year, the city sets itself apart. It positions itself as a destination where staff aren’t just trained—they’re valued. And where culture isn’t just marketed—it’s lived.

Moreover, it signals to the wider industry that service culture is not a cost—it’s a growth strategy. Especially in an era where labor shortages, burnout, and turnover threaten guest experience across major markets.

Final Word: A Model of Purpose-Driven Tourism

Atlantic City’s 26th Host Awards show what happens when a destination honors its people. Not just its CEOs or investors—but its front-line workers, cultural stewards, and student dreamers.

In doing so, the city delivers a compelling message to the travel industry at large: hospitality is not a commodity—it’s a community. And when that community is empowered, everyone wins—visitors, locals, and the future of tourism itself.

The post Atlantic City Celebrates Unsung Heroes of Tourism at 26th Host Awards as CRDA and Visit Atlantic City Spotlight Excellence, Diversity, and Legacy in Hospitality appeared first on Travel And Tour World.