By Maddy Vitale
Soon, with just a tap on a cellphone, shoppers in Ocean City’s downtown and on the Boardwalk will be able to purchase items using a cashless payment system.
The convenient new feature to the Ocean City Vacation App will be available before the New Year with the aim of making shopping and playing in “America’s Greatest Family Resort” even easier, explained Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“We will be launching the app over the holiday season, so people should actually be able to participate in the program by then,” Gillian said.
She continued, “As we go through the months, there will be more and more businesses signing on. We want to encourage businesses to participate because it really will make shopping in Ocean City seamless.”
Ken Wisnefski, founder and CEO of the digital marketing company WebiMax, worked with the Chamber and Sturdy Savings Bank to add the new feature to the app.
“WebiMax is excited to offer – along with Sturdy Savings Bank – this new feature to the app that provides another level of convenient and enjoyable shopping in Ocean City,” said Wisnefski, also the owner of OCNJDaily.com.
During a Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in October, both Gillian and Wisnefski emphasized the importance of attracting millennials to the island.
The upgraded app, they said, will appeal to the tech-savvy 20- and 30-somethings. Like many millennials and people of all ages, carrying a cellphone is the norm.
“We really looked at the notion of blending the new technology and keeping with traditions,” Wisnefski said during the business summit.
The cash-free program will allow app users to load gift certificates or money on their mobile devices for purchases at local shops and other businesses.
And for shoppers who need a few more presents this holiday season, the app will give them another option for buying gifts at the distinctive downtown and Boardwalk shops, Gillian said.
“We will have the gift cards you can download on your phone,” she said. “We hope to get all of the merchants downtown and on the Boardwalk involved in the program.”
Gift cards are also an ideal present for children. It also is a way to help parents see where their money is spent, Gillian said.
“A lot of kids have phones. Whether it is miniature golf, pizza or a T-shirt, the gift cards give kids a different perspective on how they are spending their money.”
Traditional gift cards are also available and could be used at the same participating businesses, just as the ones utilized on the app.
Cash-free transactions take Ocean City to a new age of technology. Gillian noted that cash-free transactions are beneficial to everyone.
“We think it is a great way for the community, second homeowners and guests to enjoy shopping in Ocean City,” Gillian said. “All they have to carry around with them are their cellphones.”
Gillian said shoppers will enjoy the extra convenience of the new app amenity.
“People can get those last-minute gifts, or use it for their 2019 First Night out, or for breakfast, retail, so many things,” she said.
To find out more about the cash-free program go to the app Oceancitynjvacation or visit oceancityvacation.com to view information and fill out the form for cashless gift cards or to load funds on your phone.
Gillian said people can visit the Welcome Center for assistance downloading the app or to purchase traditional gift cards to be used at the participating retailers. People may also call the Chamber of Commerce at 609-399-1412.
“We will walk you through it,” she said.
Eventually, cashless transactions will be expanded for virtually any type of purchases in Ocean City – from shops to restaurants and from hotels to rental properties. Users could even buy their insurance or pay for dental appointments using the app, Gillian explained.
The Ocean City Vacation App currently has more than 16,000 users. It includes social media marketing and it also highlights reasons to live in or visit Ocean City. There is information about the city and the business community from the Boardwalk to the downtown merchants.
“We are just in the process of introducing the cash-free app. We have seen this work in Disney. It takes the hassle out of carrying cash or credit cards for purchases,” Gillian said.
Technology is ever-changing and how people shop is, too. Making it as easy as possible is paramount, she added.
Gillian continued, “Most people carry their phones. Whether going to the beach, paddleboarding or shopping, this app will allow them to make a payment right on their phone to buy a beach tag, a piece of pizza, a swimsuit and so many other things.”
