The bus was buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the big night. After all, the gala was the most talked about event of the year in Atlantic City. Given the exclusivity of the event, I was lucky enough to land an invitation to the $500,000 blowout party hosted by Boyd Gaming Corp. and MGM Mirage, Inc. to celebrate the groundbreaking of the $1 billion Borgata.

One by one, several buses of nearly 400 VIPs drove away from a parking lot near the construction site en route to the invitation-only party. When I stepped out of the bus, I felt like I was at a Hollywood movie premiere, not a casino groundbreaking. A flurry of flashbulbs flared as cameras rolled and lanky models dressed in black gowns greeted guests. The tent was flanked by security guards who cast watchful eyes over the guests and periodically whispered into their headsets. When I arrived, a CNN reporter and other newscasters were beginning an interview with key players in the project-including Mr. Bill Boyd-in front of a forklift outside the tent.

Inside, multicolored strobe lights illuminated the tent while guests sipped cocktails like the "Borgata martini," a bittersweet mixture of lemonade and Absolut vodka. Butlers were at every turn, offering hors d'oeuvres and champagne. The cocktail reception flew by as I ate fried raviolis and hob-nobbed with Atlantic City's elite.

The dining room curtains opened an hour later to signal it was time for the main event. I quickly took my seat. While waiting for the festivities to begin, I overheard someone at my table say that construction for the resort's foundation was beginning promptly at 7 AM the following morning. I couldn't help but feel a sigh of relief after five years of broken promises.

It was back in July 1995 when Steve Wynn first announced plans for a megaresort that would transform Atlantic City from a day trippers' market to a vacation destination. Throughout the past few years, proposed casinos, land and infrastructure improvements sparked political battles and dozens of lawsuits, but produced little results. Most people, including myself, never thought we'd see the second wave of casino development actually take shape. It was finally becoming a reality now that Boyd and partner MGM Mirage were moving forward with their plans to build a casino-hotel unlike any other in the city. Indeed, there was something to celebrate on this chilly September evening.

On one side of the room, Governor Christie Todd Whitman was surrounded by security guards as she shook hands with people and smiled for a clumsy photographer. I wanted to get a comment from the governor, but the crowd around her started to grow and the security guards looked annoyed. In the opposite direction, Larry Mullin, president of Trump Plaza, was rubbing elbows with some other casino executives while the evening's hosts gathered around the podium reviewing their speeches. It looked as though the program was going to begin, so I whipped out my notepad and waited for the city's chamber of commerce president to make his opening remarks.

The party's organizers magnificently transformed a tent on a pile of dirt into what looked like a casino ballroom. The tables were draped with black and red linens, and floral centerpieces in deep red and orange tones added some warmth to the room. Once everyone was seated, several dignitaries, including the mayor, governor, Boyd executives and MGM Mirage officials, spoke about the city's future, creating new jobs and the details of the Borgata.

"Atlantic City is ready for the Borgata," said Bill Boyd, chairman and CEO of the company his father founded more than 26 years ago. "We think it will do for Atlantic City what The Mirage did for the Las Vegas Strip in 1989. It will have a positive effect on Atlantic City because we think other casino companies in town will want to improve their operations."

Many guests, including myself, thought this was one of the best things anyone said that evening. It was what the people, visitors, and businesses in Atlantic City have been waiting to hear for years. As soon as the speeches were complete, both gaming companies presented a check for $1 million to a local job training program. Guests were also treated to a sneak peek of the Borgata via a futuristic video that brought the casino to life using high-tech graphics. On the movie theater-size screen, the Tuscany-themed resort had all the sexy appeal of a modern Las Vegas megaresort.

The evening's live entertainment followed the video presentation. Artist Denny Dent mesmerized guests with his frenzied painting style. In the time it took to play two of Bruce Springsteen's hit songs, Dent splashed his way to a six-foot, eight-inch portrait of the rocker using his fingers, palms and a few paintbrushes. Later in the evening, Boyd officials announced that the painting would be auctioned on eBay the next day (bids starting at $5,000), and the proceeds would benefit the local chapter of the United Way.

Dinner was served after Dent slammed down his brushes and bowed in front of his Springsteen creation to thunderous applause. Guests dined on gourmet fare including sushi, roasted chicken breast and steak, while listening to a reggae band. On my way to the pasta station, I spotted several other Atlantic City casino presidents, including those of Resorts and Trump Taj Mahal. I was a little surprised to see Trump representatives at the party. For the past few years, "The Donald" had opposed the Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector Project (better known as the controversial "tunnel project" that will provide tunnel access to the Borgata and its neighbors, Trump Marina and Harrah's) and building new casinos in the Marina District. In fact, this is one of the few times I've seen several executives from different gaming corporations come together to celebrate a casino groundbreaking.

However, the bash didn't go off without controversy. Because only a select group of guests were invited to the event, there were those people who felt overlooked-even though it would have been impossible for everyone in town to be included. Believe it or not, some people publicly expressed their disappointment about being excluded from the guest list. Some even went so far as to call the Borgata office to inquire about their missing invitation. Rather than welcome Mr. Boyd to Atlantic City by saying "It's really great that you're building this big casino resort," people where asking, "Where's my free dinner?"

I'm sure Mr. Boyd and the folks from MGM Mirage would have liked everyone in the city to attend the celebration. However, space restrictions inside the tent and cost factors limited the number of people on the guest list. Under the circumstances, it made sense that most of the invitees were the head honchos at state agencies and local companies, including casino officials and community leaders.

Since most of the guests were upper-level executives, just about everyone was on their best behavior-with the exception of one newspaper reporter. He was dressed in what looked like a suit Don Johnson would have worn on Miami Vice. You know, the rolled up sleeves and a T-shirt, finished off with loafers, minus the socks. When an executive asked him if he was enjoying the evening, his reply was almost unbelievable. "It would have been a lot better if you had rented the tent and chairs from my wife. After all, she has a business to run," he said while wrapping his tongue around a Ben & Jerry's chocolate-covered ice cream bar.

"Was this guy for real?" I thought to myself, as I watched vanilla ice cream dribble down his chin. Here, Boyd throws this big bash to celebrate its future in Atlantic City, and this is what they have to deal with. I would have kicked the guy out of the tent and made him walk through the dirt back to his car, but the executive was very apologetic.

I politely excused myself and made my way to the dance floor. In my travels, I've never watched so many men in black suits loosen their neckties and boogie. The band and atmosphere was better than most lounges in town, so I put down my notebook and joined the celebration. I danced for quite some time before I realized the party was starting to thin out. Sadly, it was time to say goodbye and hop the next bus to my car. I didn't want the night to end. On the way out, one of the models handed me a CD, Borgata Colors, which features a collection of New Age-style tunes. "Here's a little something to remember us by for the next few years," she said with a smile.

If this party is any indication of what is to come in 2003, get ready folks, because Atlantic City is never going to be the same. ´

For construction updates or more information about the Borgata, visit www.theborgata.com. A model of the resort is currently on display inside the new Atlantic City Convention Center lobby.