Riverhead - Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, one of this nation's Top 10 Aquariums, is celebrating its 11th anniversary in a big way. On Wednesday, June 15, the Aquarium celebrated the anniversary of its opening and on July 1, it adds to the family with the openings of the brand-new Long Island Exhibition Center and Hyatt Place East End, the additions of the Sea Star Grand Ballroom (opening late summer 2011) and Treasure Cove Resort Marina, and a name change - Atlantis Marine World will now be known as Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center.

"Eleven years ago, when we first opened, we envisioned that Atlantis would help promote economic impact for the town of Riverhead and Long Island, not only bringing new jobs, but also creating a true tourist destination," says Jim Bissett, co-owner. "Now, with the openings of Long Island Exhibition Center, the Hyatt Place East End hotel, and the additions, we hope to inspire visitors to stay - and stay longer, we have to thank all of our supporters for helping to make this happen."

Since opening its doors and tanks in 2000, the Aquarium has hosted nearly five million visitors and has been thrilling visitors with a wide range of indoor and outdoor exhibits that bring undersea wonders to life. This new $24 million three-prong expansion allows visitors and businesses alike to jump on in and test the waters with a 28,000 square foot Sea Star Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 450 guests, a 70,000 square foot 100 room and suite Hyatt Place hotel, and the highly anticipated Long Island Exhibition Center.

This latest expansion has been five years in design development - working with the town, the state, and the county to make sure that the best project possible would come to Riverhead's downtown area.

"Where else on a Long Island Main Street, do you see an internationally recognized hotel?," says co-owner, Joe Petrocelli. "Additionally, there is no indoor exotic butterfly and bird exhibit anywhere in this region that is open year-round," he continues, referencing the Exhibition Center's first exhibit that will be changed every few years for variation.

"This is a memorable moment for Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center and Long Island as a whole," says Bryan DeLuca, executive director. "We remain dedicated to Jim and Joe's vision and are confident that the facility will continue to play an integral role in creating memories for others within the community and all those who visit this Long Island landmark."

Speaking about the expansion plans, DeLuca says, "Our visitors enjoy seeing or experiencing something new each year, and, to that end, the Aquarium has been launching something new each summer. But what better way to do that indefinitely, and reach outside the space limitations here at the Aquarium, than create a new changing exhibit space next door? And the catering component to our existing business has been growing in a time when not many businesses have been growing, so the addition of a banquet and conference center is a natural next step for us. This project is sure to be the next 'wow!' to help bring more people to Long Island's East End and to the downtown Riverhead area."

These new attractions, along with the Aquarium's original exhibits including its 120,000-gallon Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit, the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat, the Penguin Encounter, and the daily Sea Lion Show, provides guests with one adventure after another.

"We are creating a unique destination," DeLuca says.

About Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center (LIA and EC)
Two great family attractions in one fin-tastic destination, this full-scale Aquarium and brand-new Exhibition Center features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Shark Dive, Pirate Snorkel Adventure, Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and Sea Lion Kiss. Long Island Exhibition Center's first exhibit is Butterflies & Birds! Flying for a limited engagement, only, don't miss them! Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. Closed Christmas Day. Located adjacent to the Hyatt Place East End hotel, LIA and EC is also the home of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, New York's only authorized marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center, and the 120-slip transient marina, Treasure Cove Resort Marina. For more details go to www.LongIslandAquarium.com.