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Miss America Pageant Tradition is Runner-up to Ratings

"But now that the date of the venerable Miss America Pageant has been changed from September to October - a full month later than its traditional season-extending weekend after Labor Day - many are concerned that in the end, this gambling town could be the big loser.

"Some are predicting a shortage of hotel rooms, while others worry about a shortage of customers. And some simply believe that the later date will take the glamorous bloom off what has been thought of as the last rose of summer since the roaring 1920s, when savvy businessmen dreamed the pageant up as a way to keep tourists around a little longer.

"…Late last year, Miss America officials and network honchos decided to move this year's pageant from its usual date, the Saturday after Labor Day, to Oct. 14 because they thought its ratings on ABC would sag if it went head to head against NBC's prime-time coverage in September of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

"… 'They're scrambling to find room for the pageant . . . not only for the contestants but for the judges, the media, and all the people who come in and make this such a profitable event for the city,' said Robert M. Renneisen, who was named the pageant's chief executive officer in March.

"Renneisen, 53, a former casino executive, mentioned his concerns to members of the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association during a luncheon this week. He said many casinos had booked conventions and events for the same time, creating an apparent shortage of hotel space.

"…And adding to the crunch is the $90 million renovation of the antique Convention Hall. The hall will remain open, but because of scaffolding and other construction configurations, the number of seats available for the pageant will be dramatically cut this year, according to Susan Ricciardi, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority."

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