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Teachers convention provides boost to local economy
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They're not big gamblers, and most don't stay overnight.
But the arrival of an estimated 50,000 educators for the annual New Jersey Education Association Convention this week is being welcomed as a two-day economic stimulus plan for the region.
"In terms of attendees, it is the largest convention in the city," said Gary Musich, vice president of sales for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.
Now in its 155th year, the NJEA takes over the entire Convention Center today and Friday with hundreds of exhibitors and workshops. But while the NJEA has been coming to the city for decades, the event represents what Musich and others would like to see as the future for a resort that can no longer rely solely on gambling to attract visitors.
Musich said overall convention attendance is up 4 percent this year, with 264,000 visitors expected. He said the convention season is traditionally during the late fall and early spring, which links perfectly to the slower times for the resort, and the NJEA generates a consistent visitor level each year.
While most teachers make it a day trip, the "overnight stay rate" for the NJEA convention is about 15 to 20 percent, Musich said, which still gives a boost to the hotels during a typically slow time of year.
Statewide attendance also means money will come in from outside the immediate region, which is good for the local economy, said Richard Perniciaro, director of the Center for Regional and Business Research at Atlantic Cape Community College. And while teachers may not be big gamblers, they are likely to spend some money at restaurants and stores.
"It's a pretty dead time, so it's a very good marriage for the Convention Center and the Walk," he said.
The Walk has geared up for the event, with some stores, including Polo/Ralph Lauren and DKNY offering coupons online that give NJEA members additional discounts. A visit to the Coach store is practically a requirement and a clerk there this week just rolled her eyes when asked about the anticipated crowd. Think of it as a rehearsal for post-Thanksgiving Black Friday.
"It is a good piece of business for us during a traditionally slow time," said Kim Butler, general manager of The Walk/A.C. Outlets. "Stores have preholiday sales going on, and merchants will do special offers."
But first the teachers have to get there.
NJ Transit is adding three trains and an extra car to regular trains both days to accommodate southern New Jersey teachers who have learned the convenience of mass transit. NJ Transit spokesman Joe Dee said in 2008 ridership on the Atlantic City line increased by 50 percent both days of the convention. That breaks down to 1,855 extra trips each day, or 928 people taking a round trip.
The NJEA and other affiliated groups sponsor luncheons, dinners and special events, some of which take place in casino hotels. The NJEA also runs shuttle buses from hotels to the convention center.
Steve Baker, spokesman for the NJEA said the Convention Center is the only venue in the state that can handle the convention's size.
"There is no one else in the Convention Center but us those two days," he said.
But that clout can work both ways. The NJEA also issued an alert that it would not do business with Trump Plaza and Bally's to show support for the United Auto Workers union, which is battling the casinos over representation. The NJEA canceled a planned dinner at Trump Plaza, but told members already booked there not to cancel if they would lose money, but to stop and support workers.
Still most teachers won't have time to wander too far from the Convention Center area. The exhibit hall alone is huge, with an anticipated 700 hundred exhibitors showing or selling every item and service a teacher might need, from a new math textbook to a master's degree. Three hundred workshops will be held over the two days.
"It is our premier professional development event," Baker said.
School districts also create their own professional development plans, but Baker said the conference offers a one-stop event covering every topic an educator might be interested in. If approved by their district, a teacher's attendance at workshops can be applied toward the state requirement that teachers get 100 hours of professional development every five years.
The anticipated 50,000 visitors represent only a portion of the 203,634 NJEA active, affiliated and retired members, which include teachers and educational support personnel. But public schools still close for the two days.
A state law passed in 1967 requires districts to allow teachers to attend the convention and to pay them if they attend during a work day. Over the years, districts just began closing. Some districts also are closed Election Day, and a few districts, including some in southern Ocean County, closed for the entire week. All districts still must be open for class 180 days.
Some parents complain about the closings and having to find child care. Others just pack up and leave town, including some educators who didn't want to be named for fear of being criticized for not attending the convention.
It's unofficially known as "Jersey Week" at Disney World, and a trip to the Atlantic City International Airport explains why. Flights are full of strollers, car seats and small children.
"We do see a spike in southbound traffic because the kids are off school," said Sharon Gordon, director of communications and marketing for the airport. "The Orlando flights are sold out."
Spirit Airlines spokeswoman Misty Pinson said the airline sees a definite increase in traffic during NJEA week, primarily to Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Meyers. Disney officials said they could not provide specific visitor data.
Kristie and Justin Heaton, of Toms River, said they like to take children JJ, 6, and Ava, 4, to Disney World during NJEA week because the crowds are smaller, prices are good and the children won't miss school. Ava is looking forward to seeing the princesses, and JJ, after careful thought, announced he just likes everything.
Bridget and John Gaffney, of Linwood, are doing their first family trip with children Julia 6, and John 3. Julia already is planning her trip to Disney's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where she will be made over into a princess.
"It's not too hot, and it's not too busy, and school is closed," Bridget said of their reason for taking the trip now. "It's the perfect time."
Contact Diane D'Amico:
609-272-7241
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NJEA Convention by the numbers
203,634: Total number of NJEA members, active, affiliated, and retired.
50,000: Estimated number of convention attendees.
3: Number of extra trains NJ Transit will run on the Atlantic City line both days.
50: Percent increase in ridership on NJ Transit Atlantic City line during 2008 convention
700: Number of exhibitors at the convention
300: Number of workshops offered over two days.
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If you go
The NJEA Convention is open from 9 a.m .to 5 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Posted in Atlantic_city, Atlantic, Breaking, Press, Business on Thursday, November 5, 2009 7:30 am Updated: 8:29 am.
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