Atlantic City, N.J. -  Bill Quain began a new tradition when his Events Management class, part of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies program, moved to Stockton University Atlantic City in September.

Called “Boardwalking for Success” its goal is to visit four event venues on the Boardwalk, meet executives, and take students on tours of the facilities. If the weather cooperates, they will walk to the venues.

Elizabeth McGlinn, director of operations and general manager of One Atlantic, a social event and wedding space on the top floor of The Playground in Atlantic City, led the first tour in the series. 

Student Nick Joannides of Manahawkin was impressed with McGlinn’s discussion of building relationships with the clients.

Senior Alexandra Carlson wants to be an event planner, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to visit different venues in the city.

“We are lucky to have opportunities like this,” she said.

Before the tours, the students review the websites of the venues to learn about them.

Quain said the trips mesh with Stockton’s mission to prepare students for careers.

“This is what people were thinking about when we opened in Atlantic City,” Quain said. “I like the motto that students can learn and earn in the city. We embrace that 100 percent.”

Story by Diane D'Amico/ Photos by Susan Allen 

The first detail a student notices is a sign personalized to welcome Bill Quain's hospitality class. 

 

Elizabeth McGlinn said three Stockton student interns have become employees at One Atlantic.

 

Students take in the ocean view as they ride the escalator to the event venue. 

 

One Atlantic hosts customized corporate, family and social events as well as weddings. 

 

Even the bathrooms at One Atlantic have a fabulous view of the Atlantic City shoreline from their floor to ceiling windows. The attention to detail that makes even a trip to the ladies room an event was not lost on the students who stop to take selfies.

 

 The view. 

 

Elizabeth McGlinn came up with a unique event opportunity for couples to return to the venue a year after their wedding for an anniversary tasting. 

 

McGlinn talks about the different types of events One Atlantic has hosted. “Your goal is to listen to your client, get their vision, and give it to them,” McGlinn tells the students, adding that some of the specialized requests they have met include providing a hot dog cart, donut wall, Manco and Manco pizza, Johnson’s popcorn, and pretzels made in the initials of the wedding couple. 

 

Students go behind-the-scenes to see the kitchen operations.  

 

Executive chef Bill Faust talks about setting up menus that may include a favorite family recipe, or something entirely different. “We encourage them to try things,” he explains. Staff prepare almond cookies and a cheesecake dessert for a tasting event and make extra for the students to sample. 

 

Not even a windy day can stop students from enjoying the bird's-eye-view of the ocean and skyline. 

 

A gull races an incoming wave below.