Dear Members:

I want to thank you for your vote of confidence in allowing me a second term as President of the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association.  We have accomplished a lot in the last 2-years and together you, our members, and the Board will continue to support excellent hospitality in the Greater Atlantic City region.

Service is the cornerstone of our industry.  You show that every day in your work ethic, handling of visitors, and continued attendance at GACCA meetings.  I believe this and your Board Members believe this.  We will all be very busy looking for ways to support your efforts to be outstanding, knowledgeable, and hospitable and at the top of your game in the Hospitality Industry.  Our organization's culture encourages the sharing of information between professionals rather than operating in a vacuum.  That's what makes the GACCA so unique. We believe that if you share information and do what's best for the visitor, everyone will flourish.

I am looking forward to a productive and fruitful 2-years for the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association.

Yours in service

Doreen Prinzo

President, Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association

 

 

Hello everyone!  I’m Tony Penza, of VIP in Atlantic City, your new Director of Communications.  I’ll be writing the newsletter during my time here on the Board of the GACCA!   I’m hoping to increase the activity of the newsletter, with more information for all of you regarding what’s going on in Atlantic City, and what can help you be an Ambassador for this great city.  The more we all know, the better we’ll all be, and when we all work together, we all win!

I wish you all a great year and hope to see you at every meeting planned for 2009!

 

Joel Ballesteros – Rams Head Inn

Aquilla Woodall – Courtyard by Marriott

Kelli Nicholson – Courtyard by Marriott

Welcome to all!

Please visit our website for the latest info on the GACCA -- www.acconcierges.com

 

2008 was a great year and the organization accomplished a lot.  For 2009, the Board has a dynamic program planned.  Please remember that meetings are not confirmed until an invitation is issued. 

 

March 9                      JoJo’s –Pleasantivlle

 

March 24          Seminar – Carnegie Library

Hospitality Enrichment

Speakers: Donna A. & Donna V.

 

April 27(Tentative)                      Hard Rock

At The Shore/Press of AC – Concierge Challenge

 

May TBD                  Atlantic City Bar & Grill

 

June TBD                                          Sonsie

 

June TBD                           Gardner’s Basin

(Ocean Life/Flying Cloud/Cruisn 1/Back Bay)

 

 

Comedy Stop – Kozak the Magician

Quarter at Tropicana; Phone: 609-822-7353.

Members were invited to see Kozak’s show on January 22^nd.  Our members were treated to complimentary food and beverage as well as a great show!  Kozak mixes comedy with magic, and we mixed laughter with ooooh’s and aaaah’s as he threw fire out of the palm of his hand to open his act.  He then took Paula up on stage, and she didn’t win $100 or $1000, but she did get a round of applause!  Then Emily offered her wedding ring, which magically popped out a couple feet away as a prize from a big gumball machine.  Spiro, Emily’s husband then joined her on stage, where they were part of a card trick which, ironically, ended that they both picked the 2 of hearts without knowing it!  Then, on to a quick math lesson with Vonnie and Dana, who picked out a random number Kozak did some quick math, and somehow, he had already known what the answer was going to be. 

Kozak then moved into his final parts of the show, including his “bowl of mystery” and a story about how he made it snow in Hawaii for his son.  The show is a great time, and we didn’t see everything Kozak has to offer, since each night he mixes and matches his performance to keep things fresh!

 

 – T. Penza

 

The Palm Restaurant – The Quarter at Tropicana, 2801 Pacific Ave; Phone: 609- 344-7256; Contact: Barbara Bermel

On January 26, 2009 members were invited for the bi-annual appreciation dinner.  The cocktail hour was fabulous and gave members a chance to mingle.  The Palm staff welcomed everyone back with their usual warmth and hospitality.  We moved over to the dining room for a wonderful dinner which started with a salad and then we had a choice of surf and turf, chicken parmigana, or tilapia.  The dinner then included wonderful side dishes and a fattening and delicious chocolate cake dessert.  The food was superb, the staff was wonderful and Paul and Barbara go out of their way for concierge members. Anytime you send your guests to The Palm Restaurant they will be treated as valued family (guests) and you can be sure they will thank you for the tip.  The Palm would love you to call and make guest reservation directly so they can take care of your guests as you do.  The Palm Restaurant is doing a great Friday happy hour. 

 

-          D. Prinzo

 

Paul Sandler, General Manager of the Palm Restaurant Atlantic City, was our guest speaker during the 1/26/09 meeting held at the Palm.  Some of you may not know it but Paul is an expert when it comes to wine.  Paul gave us a small demonstration/test about wine utilizing Scott Cronick as our test subject.  Paul then proceeded to blind fold Scott and test him with a glass of water, soda, and juice to prove that the nose, as well as the palate, can tell you what you are drinking.  I can’t wait for part 2.  Should anyone have questions about wine you can e-mail them to Paul.

 

Manna Restaurant, 8409 Ventnor Avenue, Margate, NJ;

Phone 609-822-7722;

Contact: John or Victoria

On February 11^th, Manna hosted a members meeting.  Manna is located on Ventnor Avenue at the Corner of Jerome.  It is a bring-your-own-bottle restaurant featuring new American cuisine.  Chef’s John and Victoria are also the owners of the establishment and pair ingredients to get the most of your taste buds! 

 

Manna was recently rated the #1 restaurant in Margate, out of 39 on TripAdvisor, for being the Most Romantic!

 

Thursday and Friday there is live music.

Again, a thank you to all of those who brought beverages for our group!

 

Concierge members, don’t forget, they will pay the CAB FARE if you send a group to eat at their restaurant!  Just let them know your group is on their way!

 

- T. Penza

 

 

Previously Released (if you know ANYONE who is pursuing a degree in hospitality, let us know so we can get them an application for the scholarship!) - The Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association has partnered with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority Foundation to give out scholarships in 2009 on behalf of the members of the GACCA. 

 

The GACCA members have generously contributed to the first GACCA/ACCVAF Scholarship.  The application and criteria is on line at www.acconcierges.com.  If you are eligible, please go on-line and apply for the scholarship.  The sealed school transcripts rule will be waived for members applying.  The scholarships will be awarded during the Atlantic City Host Awards on May 13, 2009.

 

Nominations are now being taken for the Annual Atlantic City Host Awards.  Remind your supervisor to nominate you and your co-workers.  There are 27 categories from Concierge to Front Desk. 

 

We hope to be writing about one of our members winning an award in our next newsletter!

 

 

February 17, 2009 – Two board members from the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association – Jamie Winkler, Supervisor of the Concierge’s Desk and Business Center at The Borgata, and Tony Penza, owner of VIP in Atlantic City were selected to be part of the 5^th Annual – 2009 “40 under 40” celebration… which honors the Region’s Best and Brightest Young Leaders.

 

The selection committee included staffers from AC Weekly and members of the Greater Atlantic City Jaycees – Junior Chamber of Commerce.  Jamie and Tony will be profiled, including a photograph and biography in the March 5, 2009 special issue of AC Weekly. They will also be honored at a special celebration party at MIXX nightclub at The Borgata on March 27, 2009.

 

 

 

It seems that the one area of high-end fine dining that is still going strong in our dire economy is steak restaurants. In the

Atlantic City market we have the corporate entities -- The Palm, Morton's, Ruth's Chris and Gallagher's, we also have excellent

steak palaces in the casinos - The Oaks, Old Homestead, Wellington's, The Steakhouse, The Rib & Chophouse, Safari, Max's, DJ's, Bobby Flay's and Chelsea Prime.  A number of these restaurants offer special promotions -- $35.00 three-course meals at Max's & Wellington's. Ruth's Chris has a $39.95 special. You can feast on an Steak & Lobster Tail dinner for two at The Palm for $89.00 + Morton's has a fabulous dinner for two for $109.00.

You can check with each property to see what other specials they are offering...in addition, most of these restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week. Plus you can also feel good that during these hard times, you recommended a very comforting dining experience for your clients.  

 

 

For the latest in entertainment, check out

 

http://www.atlanticcitynj.com !

 

or pick up the following publications:

 

Press of Atlantic City

Atlantic City Weekly

What’s On Atlantic City