DALLAS, May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced today that it has selected Atlantic City, N.J., as the destination for its 2016 World Education Congress (WEC). The conference will be held June 11-14, 2016, at the Harrah's Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center, a Caesars Entertainment property and the newest and largest hotel-conference center complex from Baltimore to Boston. MPI announced its plans with Meet AC and Caesars Entertainment during a press conference this afternoon in Atlantic City featuring Mayor Don Guardian and other local dignitaries. Held annually, WEC is MPI's signature event through which it delivers premier education, business and networking opportunities, attracting more than 2,000 attendees including corporate, third party, and association planners, suppliers, students, industry faculty and more. The association initially planned to hold WEC 2016 in Philadelphia, but recently switched the location due to changes in the space available for the conference. Next year will be the first time MPI has hosted a conference in Atlantic City and the first time in the State of New Jersey. Located on the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City is a resort city known for its popular casino hotels, beach and boardwalk, fine dining, shopping and world-class entertainment. The city annually attracts more than 25 million visitors to its shores for both business and pleasure. Scheduled for completion in August 2015, the new Harrah's Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center's 100,000 square-feet of meeting space offers a first-class meetings experience with state-of-the-art technology. "We look forward to hosting our World Education Congress in Atlantic City next year," said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI. "When selecting venues for MPI events, we look for destinations that provide great infrastructure, world-class facilities and memorable experiences. Having grown up spending my summers on the Jersey Shore, I am excited for the opportunity to showcase this unique and beautiful destination to our community." MPI follows a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process for all of its signature events and considers factors such as location benefits, meeting venue facilities, pricing, hotel offerings, destination accessibility, unique options and local support. The association will work closely with volunteer leaders from both the MPI New Jersey Chapter and the Philadelphia Area MPI Chapter as well as host city partners Meet AC and Caesars Entertainment. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Caesars Entertainment in hosting MPI's 2016 WEC. This is a strategic direction for Meet AC and for Atlantic City as we continue to diversify our mix of business. Showcasing Atlantic City to over 1,000 meeting planners and over 2,000 total attendees will definitely help us grow the meetings and conventions market," said Jim Wood, president and CEO of Meet AC. Michael Massari, Senior Vice President of Caesars Entertainment National Meetings and Events added, "We are extremely honored to welcome Meeting Professionals International's World Education Congress to Atlantic City and the Harrah's Atlantic City Waterfront Conference Center next June. Cities all across North America vie for the chance each year to welcome WEC to their city, and MPI chose Atlantic City. This decision validates Atlantic City as a serious contender as a meetings destination for meeting planners across the country. Caesars Entertainment has a long and treasured partnership with MPI, and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome MPI's members to Atlantic City and to Harrah's next summer." This year WEC takes place August 1 – 4, 2015, in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. For more information or to register for WEC 2015, see www.mpiweb.org/wec15 . About MPI
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association. The organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI membership is comprised of approximately 18,500 members belonging to 70 chapters and clubs worldwide. For additional information or to join, visit www.mpiweb.org . About Meet AC
Meet AC, Inc. was officially formed as a 501(c)(6) organization on June 23, 2014. Prior to its formation, the Meetings and Convention sales and marketing group was operating under the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Meet AC, a tourism economic development agency, will focus on three primary objectives: sales, marketing and services. For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetinac.com . Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MeetAtlanticCity and Twitter at @Meet_AC. About Meetings and Events at Caesars Entertainment Corporation
The world's most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company, Caesars Entertainment offers meeting and event planners one dedicated team, united nationwide, committed to providing the most successful meeting experiences possible. With one call or email, planners have access to 40 properties in 20 unique destinations, with 1.5 million square feet of meeting space and more than 42,000 guest rooms. Mix and match properties and venues within a destination under a single contract and minimum. Enjoy elite perks, rewards and privileges with our Total Rewards Meeting Diamond Program. For more information, please visit www.CaesarsMeansBusiness.com .
Sonya Thorpe Cobb, MPI 972-702-3098
