Nicole Grala, the executive assistant to Andy Crowley, director of customer supply at food manufacturing company Ken’s Foods of Marlborough, Massachusetts, is responsible for planning and executing the company’s annual year-end celebration. For many years, the event was held at a hotel, but one day, Grala and her team decided it was time to change things up. “It was just a meeting, then dinner, and everyone would go home,” she says. “We were looking for something a little different and a little more fun.”
An associate of hers recommended Apex Entertainment, which is also in Marlborough—a 100,000-square-foot complex featuring games, food, attractions, and meeting space. (Apex also has two locations in New York state and one in Virginia.) “We have been holding our year-end meeting there since 2018 and haven’t gone back to a hotel or meeting room,” Grala says. “Everyone has such a great time. It adds a little element of fun. We haven’t even thought of having it somewhere else.” Now, the year-end event includes a meeting, cocktail hour, dinner, and play. For the dinner, Apex’s chefs work with the chefs from Ken’s Foods to create customized menus that include the company’s sauces and dressings.
Game-focused venues are popular choices for planners, as they give attendees plenty to do before, during, and after meetings, and their relaxed environment allows colleagues and peers to engage with each other authentically. “We will do something like go-karting, or try out the sports simulator or the pool tables, which have been really fun,” Grala says. “It gives us a chance to interact and get to know each other.”
One-Stop Shops
Kimberly Simone, vice president of sales and marketing at Mohegan Sun casino and resort in Uncasville, Connecticut, says casino resorts are a great choice because everything is in one place. “It’s all under one roof—the hotel, the meeting space, dining, and activities at night. You don’t have to get on a bus and drive across the city.” Mohegan Sun has over 275,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, including its Earth Expo & Convention Center and Sky Convention Center that can accommodate larger events like trade shows and expos. The property also contains a comedy club, 40 dining establishments, 40 retail options, a 10,000-seat arena, and nightclub.
Similarly, Live Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover has more than enough to keep attendees occupied and provides all the space planners need. Its 50,000 square feet of customizable event space includes the 15,680-square-foot Live Event Center and The Hall at Live, a 3,825-seat, three-story entertainment venue. Each space at the casino hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems. “Hosting at Live Casino & Hotel Maryland is much more than just the hours of the event itself—it’s a well-rounded experience that promotes the enjoyment of all attendees,” says Cindy Jones, vice president of sales and marketing for the hotel’s hospitality division. The property includes a six-time AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel with 310 luxurious guest rooms, and allows attendees access to the serene Live Spa, a fitness center, world-class entertainment, and a casino that Casino Player Magazine named “Maryland’s Best Casino” in May last year, among other awards.
Venues like Ken’s Foods’ year-end meeting spot, Apex Entertainment, offer all-in-one gaming experiences on a somewhat different level from a casino resort while still allowing for plenty of bonding and team building. “We put fun into meetings and will wow you with everything we have to offer,” says George Aronstein, Apex Entertainment’s chief operating officer. “If you’re looking for a classroom-style meeting with audiovisual, we can do that. If you want continental breakfast before a meeting, we can do that. If you need an overnight stay, we can do that in one of the hotels on our property. We’re very much a one-stop shop—everything is here.” At Apex’s four locations, groups might strengthen bonds and let off some steam with bumper cars, mini golf, bowling, arcade games, and more.
Dynamic Spaces
It’s the flexibility of gaming venues that keeps planners like Lesley Palagi rebooking year after year. Palagi, director of communications, marketing, and events for the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce in Lincoln, has held events at her city’s Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort for over a decade. “The casino has a big event center that’s very versatile,” she says. “It has a stage and an excellent audiovisual system. It’s the go-to place in northern Rhode Island for larger events. They can do anything, and that’s what we like about it.” Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort hosts the chamber’s yearly Holiday Open House, which draws some 400 people, and its Annual Celebration, which attracts close to 500, plus smaller events throughout the year.
MGM Springfield in Massachusetts blends its versatility with glam and history. Its historic Armory building dates to the early 1900s. “We do all kinds of fun things—fundraising cocktail events, general sessions, press conferences, and weddings,” says Susan Coyne, director of sales at the casino resort. MGM Springfield’s 240-room hotel has some Massachusetts flair as well. “The decor gives nods to local notables,” says Coyne. “For instance, Emily Dickinson—who was from Amherst—has her writing woven into the hotel’s carpet. In the lobby, we have a beautiful library containing books from regional authors.”
Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, is a great option for planners seeking something a little farther from the hustle and bustle, where attendees can unwind while enjoying myriad gaming amenities. The resort boasts 2,000 slot machines, 66 Las Vegas-style table games, a bingo hall, and the largest poker room in New York state with 32 tables. Planners and attendees might also take advantage of its 125,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, more than 20 different restaurant options, and five golf courses—three of them championship-level. Turning Stone also is undergoing a $370 million renovation, set to be completed in 2027, which will result in a new on-site hotel and 165,000 square feet of additional meeting space.
Casino resort Encore Boston Harbor relaxes attendees with its beautiful outdoor areas and water views, set in the heart of Boston. The venue features over 50,000 square feet of conference space, plus a 21,000-square-foot waterfront event lawn overlooking Boston Harbor and the skyline. “The resort is situated along the Mystic River, which features accessibility to the outdoor Harborwalk, as well as a dedicated dock that seasonally runs water shuttles direct to Boston so attendees can avoid traffic,” says Vice President of Hotel Operations Jeff Caldwell.
If your group lives for camaraderie and fun, Play Arcade in New Bedford, Massachusetts, focuses heavily on old-fashioned friendly competition, adding a different dimension to meetings, events, or team-building retreats. “Our unique space is located in the heart of historic downtown New Bedford and offers something for everyone,” says Lauren Katz, Play Arcade’s co-owner and business manager. “We have over 50 vintage arcade games, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of nostalgia. It’s the perfect place for team building, bonding, and relaxing.” The venue’s space can be customized for small- to medium-size groups—it offers table reservations for six to 30 people and private space in its side room or on the spacious roof deck for groups up to 75. The roof deck has a private bar, as well as views of the working waterfront. Or, rent out the whole facility for groups of up to 250 people. Play Arcade leans heavily into the nostalgia aspect, which is a fun throwback for attendees, but it also keeps things easy for planners. “All our games are token-operated,” Katz explains. “Our catering packages include food, tokens, and nonalcoholic beverages to help make planning simple.”
A Coastal Hot Spot
Atlantic City, New Jersey, has long held its place as one of the nation’s quintessential gaming destinations and has seen a resurgence in the last decade. From legendary resorts steps away from the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk to refreshed offerings and expanded meeting spaces, there are plenty of options for planners in this seaside playground.
Bally’s Atlantic City Casino Resort
With over 100,000 square feet of venue space—including 53,337 square feet of exhibit space and 25,162 square feet of meeting space, among other event areas—Bally’s Atlantic City Casino Resort can host a range of functions. Its newest addition, The Yard, is an indoor/outdoor facility ideal for holiday gatherings, banquets, and more.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
This resort includes 2,000 rooms and more than 150,000 square feet of meeting space. For the largest gatherings, Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena holds 7,000 people for general sessions, or 300-plus booths for a trade show or expo.
Ocean Casino Resort
Ocean Casino Resort contains 160,000 square feet of event space. Whether serving as the host of a retreat-style event for a dozen or a large-scale gathering for a few thousand, it has the space to make your vision a reality. Besides expansive indoor venues, the resort has 90,000 square feet of refreshing outdoor meeting space.
Tropicana Atlantic City
Its location on the Atlantic City Boardwalk means groups are right in the middle of the action. The venue includes 122,000 square feet of meeting space, 2,400 guest rooms, and over 30 restaurants. The property’s South Tower is home to the Grand Exhibition Center, perfect for large-scale events like expos and trade shows.
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