New Jersey Assemblyman and former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian joins Mike Lopez for a wide-ranging conversation about Atlantic City’s past, present and future.

Guardian reflects on his journey from the Special Improvement District to City Hall and the New Jersey Legislature, including the hands-on community work that shaped his approach to leadership. He and Mike discuss homelessness, community policing and why a visible public-safety presence matters to residents, visitors and local businesses alike.

The conversation also turns to the growing competition facing Atlantic City. With new casinos coming to New York and proposals for additional gaming and convention facilities in North Jersey, Guardian explains what could be at stake for Atlantic City’s jobs, casinos, restaurants and surrounding industries.

They also explore what Atlantic City needs to remain competitive, including improvements to the Convention Center, a first-class 500-room connected hotel and greater economic diversification through healthcare, education, technology, aviation and film production.

In this episode:

• Don Guardian’s path from community service to elected office

• Addressing homelessness with outreach and long-term support

• Public safety and the need for additional visible police officers

• How New York and North Jersey casinos could affect Atlantic City

• The case for protecting Atlantic City’s convention business

• Why the city needs a connected 500-room convention hotel

• Creating new industries and better-paying local jobs

• Working across party lines to serve South Jersey

• Don and Mike’s favorite Atlantic City restaurants

Subscribe to The AC Mike Show for more conversations with the people shaping Atlantic City and South Jersey.

Learn more about AC Mike: https://acmikenj.com

#AtlanticCity #DonGuardian #NewJerseyPolitics #SouthJersey #ACMikeShow #VisitAtlanticCity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TJ joins The AC Mike Show to talk about rebuilding his life through recovery, discipline, and the opportunities he found in Atlantic City.

After entering recovery 12 years ago, TJ started over in Atlantic City and worked his way from an $8-an-hour security job to leadership roles in security and operations.

Today, he is General Manager of the South Jersey Port Corporation, where he also oversees public safety and emergency management. TJ shares how daily routines helped him through addiction, unemployment, and the recent loss of his cousin and best friend.

He and Mike also talk about grief, men’s mental health, resilience, and why a bad day doesn’t have to undo the progress you’ve made. Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping Atlantic City and South Jersey.

#AtlanticCity #Recovery #MentalHealth #TheACMikeShow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Gallagher, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment for Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commissioner, joins Mike Lopez to discuss how major sporting events, concerts and conventions are helping transform Atlantic City into a year-round destination.

Dan shares the behind-the-scenes work required to attract world-class events, build lasting industry relationships and keep visitors returning long after summer ends. From WWE, Phish and RÜFÜS DU SOL to offshore powerboat racing, Olympic sports and unexpected hits like Slippery Stairs, this conversation explores the strategy driving Atlantic City’s growing sports and entertainment economy.

In this episode:

- Why sports tourism has become one of Atlantic City’s largest market segments

- How major events support local businesses during the off-season

- What distinguishes Atlantic City from competing destinations

- The importance of long-term partnerships and relationship building

- How unconventional events can generate national attention

- What’s ahead for Atlantic City’s sports and entertainment scene

Subscribe to The AC Mike Show for more conversations with the people shaping Atlantic City.

Learn more about AC Mike: https://acmikenj.com

#AtlanticCity #VisitAtlanticCity #SportsTourism #ACMikeShow #NewJersey #AtlanticCityEvents

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit Atlantic City President & CEO Gary Musich joins AC Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about where Atlantic City is today — and where it’s headed next.

Gary and Mike dig into Atlantic City’s evolution from a gaming-first destination into a year-round resort built around entertainment, dining, conventions, sports, events, and the entire South Jersey experience. Gary explains why getting visitors to stay just one additional night can have an enormous economic impact — and how Visit Atlantic City is using data, marketing, partnerships, and major events to make that happen.

They get into the massive success of the RÜFÜS DU SOL beach concert, which sold out in just six weeks, filled hotel rooms and restaurants, and even had local Wawa stores running out of sandwich meat. Gary also discusses the importance of the Atlantic City Convention Center and its headquarters hotel, the return of major events to Boardwalk Hall, Phish, WWE, boxing, the air show, offshore powerboat racing, Taste Atlantic City, and the growing role of Atlantic City International Airport.

Gary also takes AC Mike behind the scenes of how Visit Atlantic City markets the destination — from Times Square and major airports to digital advertising, PR, partnerships and national exposure on the Today Show.

It’s an inside look at the strategy, relationships and economics behind bringing people to Atlantic City — and why the city’s future is about much more than casinos.

Topics include: Atlantic City tourism • RÜFÜS DU SOL • beach concerts • conventions • Boardwalk Hall • major sporting events • Phish • Taste Atlantic City • ACY airport expansion • Visit Atlantic City marketing • South Jersey tourism • the future of Atlantic City

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atlantic City basketball has always been about more than championships. It’s about family, community, and the generations of players and coaches who have poured everything into the game.

In Episode 7 of The AC Mike Show, Mike sits down with retired teacher and championship basketball coach Jim Schafer to discuss Under the Boards, an upcoming film inspired by the remarkable story of Atlantic City High School basketball.

Jim shares the journey behind Atlantic City’s historic state championships, the commitment required to build a winning program, and why this film is his thank-you to the players, families, and community that welcomed him as one of their own. They also discuss plans to film in Atlantic City, create opportunities for local residents to learn the television and film industry, and bring the city’s rich history to a national audience.

Mike and Jim also highlight the work of the Jim Knute Schafer Foundation, which supports student-athletes and families through scholarships, equipment, exposure, and financial assistance.

Learn more about the Jim Knute Schafer Foundation:

https://www.jimknuteschafer.com/

Subscribe to The AC Mike Show for more conversations with the people who make Atlantic City a great place to live, work, and play.

#AtlanticCity #UnderTheBoards #ACMikeShow #AtlanticCityBasketball #SouthJersey #HighSchoolBasketball

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AC Mike Show goes live from Brute’s Roots in Egg Harbor Township to celebrate three years of business, community, and growth!

Mike sits down with Kelly and Jimmy to look back on the journey behind Brute’s Roots, from navigating New Jersey’s cannabis industry to building a welcoming, knowledgeable team and a fiercely loyal customer base. They discuss the importance of safe, tested and affordable products, the company’s expanding grow and retail operations, and the family and community relationships that have shaped the business.

The celebration also includes anniversary specials, giveaways, Phillies tickets and plenty of familiar faces stopping by throughout the day. Later, Mike and Jimmy reflect on growing up together in Egg Harbor City before diving into the future of Brute’s Roots, job creation, local development and the need to build more opportunities throughout Atlantic County.

Congratulations to the entire Brute’s Roots family on three incredible years—and here’s to the next 30!

Learn more about Brute’s Roots: https://brutesroots.com

Subscribe to The AC Mike Show for more conversations with the people, businesses and organizations shaping Atlantic City and beyond.

#BrutesRoots #TheACMikeShow #EggHarborTownship #SouthJersey #AtlanticCounty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.