LOCATIONREPORT SOUTHJERSEYSHORE
GREEN INITIATIVES WHAT TO DO
CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ
Over the past year, the Wildwoods The wide, white-sand beaches stretch
“Cape May County, because it is so
Convention Center has begun several for five miles lining the shores of North
easily accessible to most of the East
"Green" initiatives to save energy and Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood
Coast and because of all of the envi-
cut costs. The convention center and Crest, and unlike most seashore ronmental and entertainment assets, is
its staff have adopted the theory: “If it resorts today, are free of charge. quickly becoming the place for corpo-
does not need to be on and if it’s not rations and associations to meet,”
being used, turn it off.” This ideology The Wildwoods’ beaches have been explained Diane Wieland, director of
has brought electric consumption sig- voted among the best in New Jersey Tourism for Cape May County. “We
nificantly down in the venue over the by FOX-29 and the New Jersey Marine have quality facilities that can cater to
past year. Science Consortium. They were also groups from as few as 10 to as many
namedamongthe‘Top10MoreBeach as 7,000. Anyone who seeks a unique
Energy efficient light bulbs are now for Your Money’ destinations in 2009 place as an alternative to their corpo-
being used throughout the venue, and by America Online. rate conference centers should look
light sensors have been installed into Cape May County.”
throughout the building’s service areas. The two-mile long Wildwoods board-
Waterless urinals and sensor operated walk, named one of the ‘Top Ten WHAT'S NEW
faucets and flush systems to conserve American Boardwalks’ in 2009 by
water consumption have also been Forbes and Sherman’s Travel, is The oceanfront Grand Hotel of Cape
installed. The venue also utilizes envi- renowned as the liveliest and most fun- May is the largest resort and confer-
ronmentally friendly cleaning products filled along the East Coast. It’s pure ence center along the Jersey Cape.
and recycled materials when possible. sensory overload with spectacular Having recently renovated, it is an ideal
amusement piers boasting more rides venue for meetings and corporate
Recycling is another major green initia- and attractions than Disneyland, inter- events with banquet facilities for up to
tive at Wildwoods Convention Center. active waterparks, carnival-style mid- 500 guests, intimate meeting rooms
Everything from cardboard, office way games, plus shops and eateries. and first-class corporate accommoda-
paper, glass, plastic and cans to ink For a more tranquil experience, visitors tions. The resort offers a wide range of
cartridges, broken equipment, scarp can enjoy a 140-foot Ferris wheel ride on site amenities, including two ball-
metal and used light bulbs are recycled overlooking the award-winning beach- rooms, a beauty salon, its signature
by the venue. The Wildwoods es or a ride on the famous ‘Sightseer’ Hemingway’s restaurant, a nightclub,
Convention Center is currently devel- Tram Cars. game room, indoor and outdoor heat-
opingaprojecttoinstallsolarpanelson ed swimming pools, a whirlpool, and
the roof of the building to better con- Morethan180freefestivalsandevents three large sundecks.
serve energy and stay green. are scheduled in the Wildwoods annu-
ally, from weekly craft shows, fireworks The dining district in Avalon and Stone
In addition, the Wildwoods Convention and classic car shows, to dance com- Harbor known as the Seven Mile Island
Center works with the island’s hotels, petitions, Italian and Irish festivals, has experienced a rebirth after an infu-
amusement piers, attractions and local block parties, the largest kite festival in sion of young, exciting chefs and chic,
golfcoursestoofferuniquepromotions North America and concerts featuring upscale eateries with a casual flair.
and initiatives for planners and organiz- some of today’s most popular artists
ers. Packages can be made for the and yesterday’s legends. Along with For example, Blackfish Restaurant in
lone business person who wants to freeliveentertainmentalmosteveryday Stone Harbor offers fine dining, serving
enjoy a round of golf before or after an oftheweek,theWildwoodswillholdits contemporary American fare with a
event or meeting, or for those traveling 25th Annual International Kite Festival focus on fresh local seafood and ingre-
with their families. in May 2010. dients from local farms. It features
new,sleekrenovationswithsharkblack
WHERE TO MEET The Wildwoods are home to the coun- awnings, gray bricks and geometric ivy
try’s largest concentration of mid-cen- paintings climbing walls. Interior décor
The Wildwoods Convention Center is tury Doo-Wop architecture. With bright includes pale green walls, stark white
an astounding, state-of-the-art, neon signs, futuristic architecture and wainscoting and white tablecloths.
260,000 square foot venue located ‘far-out’ themes, these buildings offer a
directly on the beach in beautiful funsliceofhistorytoanyonevisitingthe The former Mirage Restaurant is now
Wildwood. The center offers 20,000 island. Take a stroll through the the Fuze Restaurant and Mirage
square feet of meeting and ballroom Wildwoods’ Doo-Wop District, head to Lounge in the Desert Sand Hotel in
space and 75,000 square feet of divid- the Doo-Wop Experience Museum or Avalon.
able exhibition space. The venue is hop onboard the award-winning ‘Back
designed to accommodate gatherings to the ‘50s’ Doo-Wop Bus Tour. Two other landmark restaurant-bars in
as small as 50 or as large as 10,000. Avalon also underwent extensive reno-
www.wildwoodsnj.com vation. The new Bluewave Lounge at
42 January a79 February 2010
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