ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA), a division of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), recognized 27 individuals in the hospitality field during the annual Host Awards on Wednesday, May 8, at Boardwalk Hall.

Presented each year during National Travel and Tourism Week, the Host Awards salute and encourage outstanding customer service by employees in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries who contribute to Atlantic City’s success as a friendly, world-class destination.

Presented by ACCVA president Jeffrey Vasser, each Host Award winner received a prize package consisting of a commemorative lighthouse lapel pin to signify that they are beacons of hospitality, as well as a $200 cash gift card, chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located at Tanger Outlets The Walk, and complimentary dinner for two in one of Atlantic City’s fine dining establishments.

Host Award winners were nominated for their enthusiasm, exemplary customer service and ability to enhance the overall experience of the visitors they serve. They were chosen from more than 300 nominees by a selection committee consisting of educators, along with representatives from area organizations including the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, Local 54 and the Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging Association, among others.

“Tonight’s Host Award nominees represent the best of the best out of the thousands of people who work in Atlantic City, and we thank each of you for your hard word and dedication,” said Vasser. “The experience we give our visitors is a large part of making Atlantic City a ‘must do’ destination, and you are leading the way.”

Additionally, the Dougherty family, owners and operators of Dock’s Restaurant, the Knife and Fork Inn and Harry’s Oyster Bar, was honored with the Spirit of Hospitality Award, sponsored by TD Bank. The Spirit of Hospitality Award is given to an outstanding individual or individuals who made a significant long-term contribution to the region’s hospitality and travel industry.

2013 Host Award Winners

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Tuesday morning (April 9) at the Atlantic City Sheraton, the Atlantic City Alliance (ACA) announced its new $20 million ad campaign, as well as upcoming events for the spring/summer.

Representatives from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) announced new programs and initiatives to the local business community and provided an update on “industry-wide progress in the tourism district.”

Among the presentations Tuesday morning, Atlantic City officials:

•  Debuted Atlantic City’s $20 million 2013 advertising campaign focused on the close-by drive markets including New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore DMAs

•  Announced new series of spring/summer/fall events to drive tourism

•  Announced the Do Anything. Do AC Road Show

•  Announced new artists for the ARTLANTIC public art project and a new 3D sound and light show on Boardwalk Hall.

•  Highlighted convention and tourism results from 2012 with a look ahead to strategies and initiatives for 2013.

•  Gave an update on emerging projects and a countdown to Miss America returning to Atlantic City in September.

Among the officials in attendance were Sam Young,  the Greater Atlantic City Chamber chair;  Liza Cartmell, the Atlantic City Alliance president; Larry Sieg, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority V.P. of Marketing; and John Palmieri, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority executive director

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Boardwalk Hall has just announced that the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Bob Weir and their band Furthur will return to the Northeast for the band’s spring tour, following a successful fall tour in 2012, and will perform Saturday, April 27, at the historic hall in Atlantic City, where it played in 2011.

Joining Weir and Lesh, the all-star band includes keyboardist Jeff Chimenti (RatDog), drummer Joe Russo (Benevento – Russo Duo, Trey Anastasio), guitarist John Kadlecik (Dark Star Orchestra), and vocalists Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson.

Fans can expect the band to be loaded with Grateful Dead classics as well as extraordinary jam improvs.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 1, at 10am ($39.50, $49.50 and $59.50).

ATLANTIC CITY — Platinum Productions will present the fifth annual Mother’s Day Music Festival Weekend Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12. The main event is the Mother’s Day concert at Boardwalk Hall Saturday, May 11, starting 7pm.

This year’s concert will feature Charlie Wilson (pictured left), Jaheim, Freddie Jackson and El Debarge. Seating is priced at $45, $65, $80 and $95, and a VIP package has been added for $125 that includes premium seating, after-party tickets and a $10 voucher for Boardwalk Hall concession stands. Tickets can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-736-1420. Tickets are on sale now.

The festival also has an after-party scheduled at Trump Plaza on Saturday, May 11, immediately following the concert, and on Sunday, May 12, an all-you-can-eat Sunday Jazz Brunch will be hosted at the Trump Plaza (11am-2pm, $40) featuring a live jazz band. The Mother’s Day Music Weekend Festival will culminate with an up-close-and-personal concert featuring the legendary Whispers (right) at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater on Sunday starting 6pm. Tickets are $55 to $75.

For more information  visit ppshows.com.

Charlie Wilson was the lead singer for the Gap Band and sang on four number-one R&B hits: “Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me).” “Early in the Morning,” “Outstanding” and “Addicted to Your Love.” After a long hiatus, Wilson returned in 2000 with Bridging the Gap, an album that became an R&B hit, and the 2005 LP Charlie, Last Name Wilson hit the Top 10 thanks to the success of the title track and “Magic.” Uncle Charlie followed in 2009 and Just Charlie released in 2010. Last month he released With Love Charlie and the first single entitled “My Love.”

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ATLANTIC CITY — Sixteen of the world-renowned string bands that perform annually in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day will travel to Atlantic City to present the annual “Show of Shows” at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, Feb. 23, starting 3pm.

The “Show of Shows” is an opportunity to relive New Year’s Day or, for those unable to make it to the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day, witness it for the first time in the plush indoor seating of Boardwalk Hall.

“The Show of Shows is a beloved tradition that has entertained generations since the 1930s, and is an extension of the high-energy routines seen on New Year’s Day,” says Marty Good, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association. “It offers an exclusive chance to catch the String Bands’ talented and creative performances indoors.”

The 16 bands performing will include the 2013 first-prize winning Fralinger String Band, which reclaimed the top honors it won for eight straight years, from 2003-2010.  Others performing will be the Aqua, Avalon, Broomall, Duffy, Durning, Ferko, Greater Kensington, Greater Overbrook, Hegeman, Polish American, Quaker City, South Philadelphia, Trilby, Uptown, and Woodland string bands.

Tickets are on sale now at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. General admission is $18, reserved seats are $21 or $25 per person, and VIP seats are $35. A Show of Shows family package is also available and includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, and a program book. The package is priced at $60 and must be purchased at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

Visit ticketmaster.com or call (800) 736-1420. For group sales call (609) 348-7023.

 For more information on the Show of Shows, visit phillymummers.com.

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Starring Beyoncé will be making a stop in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall on Friday, July 26.

Parkwood Entertainment today announced that The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour starring Beyoncé kicks off in Europe on April 15, 2013.  Live Nation also announced that Beyoncé’s North American Tour begins on June 28 in Los Angeles. The show comes to Boardwalk Hall on July 26, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City.

Atlantic City hosted Beyoncé last year as well when she performed at Revel Memorial Day Weekend, a series of shows that brought big stars in town, including Michelle Obama.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 15 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, at www.ticketmaster.com

Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

Welcome to 2013. Philadelphia Eagles fans didn’t have to wait long to find out that their football team would have a new coach this year after a horrible 4-12 season came to a close with a 42-7 loss to the New York Giants.

While Coach Andy Reid is reported to be a top candidate to become the coach of the Arizona Cardinals — perhaps to be reunited with the quarterback he trained and traded away, Kevin Kolb — the Eagles are speaking with Penn State coach Bill O’Brien. My gut tells me after doing such an amazing job in the wake of the Penn State scandal, O’Brien will remain in the college ranks. Let others do most of the speculating, I’m just happy that Reid will take his stubborn mindset somewhere else that will welcome him as a savior.

Good luck with that.

As for our other sporting teams in the Philadelphia region, I’ve been enjoying the Sixers during their West Coast swing, especially the win over the Lakers last night (Jan. 1). The Sixers still need Andrew Bynum back at even half-strength for later in the year, but after watching how poorly Dwight Howard is playing, the Lakers are also suffering with damaged goods thanks to the trade that brought Bynum to the Sixers. Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner are exciting to watch when they are both playing well.

The Phillies report to training camp in 41 days and so far, the team is still looking overpaid and just plain old, although we have to hope that Michael Young at 36 still has some power left in his tank. Can J-Roll, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard rebound for one last year of glory? For that matter is Roy Halladay healthy and will Cliff Lee have a better season in support of the team’s top pitcher, Cole Hamels? And will manager Charley Manuel put quick, young outfield Ben Revere in the leadoff spot and let Rollins sulk batting in the six or seven hole?

P.S.: Flyers fans, if you want to see hockey, come on down to Boardwalk Hall and watch the AHL games on Jan. 13, 20 and Feb. 24. The game on Jan. 20 is the Albany Devils vs. the Adirondack Phantoms, the Flyers minor league franchise.

While visiting the Boardwalk Hall listings on Ticketmaster, I came across a newly announced benefit concert, the Hurricane Sandy Super Concert Featuring Meek Mill (a native of Philadelphia) and Maly Money. The concert is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17, 8pm at Boardwalk Hall.

Tickets are now on sale and range from $38-$96. As more info comes through on this event, like the rest of the performers and where the money is going to help Sandy relief efforts, I’ll update this post.

“Winter Sweet,” the seasonal replacement for the current “Duality” light show outdoors at Boardwalk Hall, will make its debut this Saturday, Dec. 1, featuring an appearance by Clay Aiken.

Like its sister show, “Duality,” “Winter Sweet” uses sophisticated 3D projections and an original musical score to illuminate the exterior of Boardwalk Hall. To launch “Winter Sweet,” recording artist and American Idol alum Clay Aiken will appear at a winter celebration featuring holiday music, live entertainment, hot beverages and sweets. The free event will take place 5:30-7pm on the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza. The first show of “Winter Sweet” will be at 6pm.

“Winter Sweet” debuts as part of a daylong celebration of the holidays in Atlantic City, including the Atlantic City Holiday Parade, the Christmas tree lighting, and other special events. Aiken is appearing courtesy of the Trump Taj Mahal, which presents Clay Aiken’s Joyful Noise Tour 2012 in the Mark G. Estess arena on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8pm. The unveiling is free and open to the public.

“Winter Sweet” will be shown nightly every half hour from 6-9pm. Boardwalk Hall is located at 2301 Boardwalk, between Georgia and Mississippi aves. at Kennedy Plaza.

“Duality,” will return in the spring.