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CORRECTION NOTE:  One slide on the presentation made during the Shoreview had an incorrect number.  There was $35 million in Total Delegate Spending (June-August 2021).

Atlantic City, N.J.  -  Despite labor shortages, supply chain issues and occasionally less-than-ideal weather, summer 2021 was a success for Jersey shore businesses and fall and winter also look very promising panelists at the annual Shoreview said Thursday.

Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT), Ã×À¼ÌåÓý School of Business, sponsor of Shoreview, moderated the panel and began with an overview showing the number of vehicles at the Pleasantville toll plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway, and the lodging tax revenue generated in June  2021 were both higher than the same months in 2019, which was considered a good year.

She noted that the only downside was the number of casino employees, which remained about 5,000 below 2019 levels. Panelist Michael Busler later said employment might never totally catch up since casinos adapted and might not need them.

The panelists for the event were:
Michael Busler, professor of business studies and finance at Ã×À¼ÌåÓý
Jamie Hoagland, director of marketing at Tennessee Avenue Liquor
Lori Pepenella, chief executive officer at Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Larry Sieg, chief executive officer at Meet AC

Following are the questions asked at the panel by both Bokunewicz and members of the audience, and selected responses.  The full event can be viewed on the LIGHT website at stockton.edu/light

Q:  How was the summer of 2021?

Lori Pepenella: We benefitted from not having as much competition with air travel. People stayed closer to home. The second home sales market was also exceptional.

Larry Sieg: There was live entertainment, and a younger demographic which was more comfortable going out.

Q: How have employment issues affected business?

Jamie Hoagland: We thought we would get a lot of young people, but we didn’t.  We relied more on our core staff. Some applicants did not have the qualifications.  We’ve been trying to open a pizzeria but can’t find a pizza maker and staff.

Lori Pepenella:  This was most recognizable in the hospitality business, but that was not the only area affected.

Q: Since 2019, how has business changed, and are those changes lasting?

Larry Sieg: We are working remotely more, on a hybrid schedule, and saw productivity increase. But doing that depends on the job.

Lori Pepenella: We’ve reimagined events. One day or weekend events may go to monthly. We’re tracking the data to see who is coming.

Michael Busler: Technology will stay – touchscreen ordering and delivery. Younger people already did it and older people started doing it and got used to it.

Jamie Hoagland: There is a more relaxed attitude about scheduling to adapt to employee family needs.  We’re also being more careful about how many takeout packs of things like ketchup we put in an order. We used to just toss them in.

Q: What trends do you see in visitor behavior?

Lori Pepenella:  We need to be flexible with things like cancellation policies. Also, the increased use of technology like zoom and online ordering.

Larry Sieg: People are more aware of their surroundings and using things like contactless payment.

Michael Busler:  I think every business, no matter how small, needs an online presence today.

Jamie Hoagland: Dining outdoors will stay. Large groups are asking more about the ability to reschedule. We have to be flexible.

Q: What are your predictions for fall and winter?

Larry Sieg:  People are doing meetings and events both online and in person, and this has allowed them to grow. Look at the NJEA and League of Municipalities.  They are also looking for a clean and safe space.

Lori Pepenella:  Labor is still an issue, but there are many weddings and special events, even a bit of a backlog going into 2023.

Michael Busler: Remote work allows people to travel and still work. People can stay in their summer homes year-round.

Jamie Hoagland: We have lots of groups planned and a large tent to dine outside.

Q: What do you see happening with business travel?

Michael Busler:  With Zoom, you don’t need it as much as it is expensive