Built in 2001 to replace an older Convention Hall, the center has exhibition space of 260,000 sq ft (24,000 m2).

NJSEA promptly joined in, and broke ground in 2000, tearing a 40 feet (12 m) hole in the boardwalk in the process, opening the new building in 2001, and the following year, razed the old hall, creating the new dramatic entrance way for the facility.

[3] WWE's Raw brand has staged an annual event every July in the arena, setting a record attendance in 2005.

In addition, annual concerts celebrating the 1960s (in May) and 1950's (in October) are staged there, as well as an annual high school basketball tournament billed as the largest in the country running from December 26 (the day after Christmas) through New Year's Eve (December 31) for both boys and girls teams.

This venue was bidding for Miss World 2015, but lost to the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, Hainan Island, China PR.