The awards will take place on May 12, 2026, at the Atlantic City Convention Center

View Spirit of Hospitality Recipient Photos Here

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – April 2, 2026 – Visit Atlantic City and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) have announced that the Atlantic City Host Awards will take place on May 12, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at a new location, the Atlantic City Convention Center. The Annual Atlantic City Host Awards celebrates and honors Atlantic City’s front-line and back-of-the-house workers across 27 categories for exemplary service to visitors, recognizing their role in the local economy and hospitality industry.

As a highlight of the ceremony, the “Spirit of Hospitality” award is given to an outstanding individual who has made a long-lasting contribution to the Atlantic City tourism and hospitality industry. This year, the honor goes to Jean McAlister, Chief of Staff & Chief Advancement Officer of Atlantic Cape Community College, a longtime leader at Atlantic Cape Community College and dedicated community supporter whose years of leadership and dedication have made an impact on South Jersey.

McAlister has lived, worked, and served the Atlantic and Cape May County region for 45 years. After graduating from Stockton University, she worked in the hospitality industry for 13 years, starting as a hostess at Resorts International and later moving into food and beverage and hotel operations management at the Sands Hotel and Casino, culminating as its Assistant Director of Hotel Operations. She currently serves as the Chief of Staff & Chief Advancement Officer at Atlantic Cape Community College and serves as the Executive Director of its Foundation. 

McAlister has always been a champion for Atlantic City's hospitality and tourism industry, as Director of the Worthington Atlantic City campus early in her career, she served as the Secretary of the Greater Atlantic City Tourism Council (GACRTC) for many years, working closely with Visit Atlantic City (formerly ACCVA). She has also served on the Atlantic City Host Awards committee for more than five years. She is the recipient of the Power of the Purse Award from United Way and the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame.

McAlister believes in education and giving back to the community. She is the secretary of the Atlantic County Women's Charitable Organization, Inc. (AWCO) and Co-Vice President of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Board of the Metropolitan Business and Community Association (MBCA). She served as secretary on the Atlantic County Advisory Commission on Women and has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club (SJMAC) event planning.

Past recipients of the Spirit of Hospitality Award include Whitney Ullman, The Pulse (2019); Evan Sanchez, Authentic City Partners (2022); Jane Bokunewicz, Stockton L.I.G.H.T. (2023); Scott Cronick, MBCA, Shore Local, WOND (2024): and Ralph Hunter, African American Heritage Museum of South Jersey (2025).

All finalists will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the awards gala. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to purchase additional tickets or corporate tables to support their nominee. Tickets are priced at $85 for an individual ticket, and tables of ten are priced at $850.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Mary Moliver, Executive Director of Destination Services, marym@visitatlanticcity.com.

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About Visit Atlantic City
Visit Atlantic City is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through leisure tourism, conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism.

Atlantic City is a premier travel destination on the East Coast with the first Boardwalk to open in the United States. Attracting visitors with its diverse array of tourism offerings, Atlantic City is home to nine casino resorts, an eclectic culinary scene, vibrant history, thrilling entertainment and family-friendly adventures, making it the ultimate destination where celebrations live on and inspire visitors to create memory making moments.

For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com, and follow us on Facebook and X.

 

Media Contacts
MMGY
visitatlanticcitypr@mmgy.com

Visit Atlantic City
Jessica Kasunich
jessicak@visitatlanticcity.com