Meeting News - January 28, 2008 - (Page 30)

Insider Report: Gaming NJ & CT Competition Has Yet to Take Hold New Jersey and Connecticut aren’t exactly shaking in their boots, but they’re keeping a close eye on gaming developments in neighboring states. For the moment, casino development is off the table in New York’s Sullivan County, better known as the Catskills. On Jan. 4, an application to place nearly 30 acres in trust at the Monticello Raceway for purposes of building a $600-million casino by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Empire Resorts Inc. was denied by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Applications from the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohicans for a casino in Sullivan County, and the SenecaCayuga Tribe for a casino in Cayuga County, were denied, as well. It’s not all over yet, though. At press time, the Mohawk Tribe issued a statement saying the decision will not be the “last word” and that they will likely appeal in federal court. In the meantime, Connecticut’s two megaresorts, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, are closely watching developments in neighboring Massachusetts, where Governor Deval Patrick ﬁled legislation in October to license a casino resort in the metro Boston area, one in the central/western part of the state, and one in southeastern Massachusetts. The plan still needs to wind its way through the state’s House and Senate. Slot gaming has been approved and is in place throughout Pennsylvania, but development in Philadelphia is stalled. Both Foxwoods and SugarHouse Gaming were awarded licenses for slot casinos on the Philadelphia riverfront at the end of 2006, but neighborhood opposition and zoning changes put both projects on hold. In December, SugarHouse ﬁnally received permits for construction, and it is projecting a July 2009 casino opening, but Foxwoods has yet to receive permits. —Irene Korn Detroit’s New Generation of Casinos Are Open, Eager Competition for meetings heats up as venues with guest rooms come on line Two gaming properties are leading a wave of construction projects that hope to convert Detroit’s once sleepy city center into a top destination for conventions and meetings of all sizes. At the MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino Hotel, the addition of guest rooms has transformed these previously freestanding casinos into full-service, Las Vegas-style resorts. “They offer a luxury hotel experience with spas and services and restaurants that MotorCity Casino Hotel is revving up for meetings business. are world-class,”said Christopher Baum, senior VP of the Detroit Metro Conven- the MotorCity Casino Hotel, home to 100,000 sf of tion & Visitors Bureau.“That’s a great new addition gaming space. “The location is efﬁcient and unique to the mix here in Detroit.” for groups that don’t want to go all the way out West.” The MGM Grand Detroit was the ﬁrst to debut In addition to these new offerings, infrastructure its new hotel product in October, completing an changes, new non-casino hotels, and improvements $800-million project that brought 400 guest rooms, at the Cobo Center have led to an immediate reacincluding 65 suites, to the property. tion from the meetings industry. Marketed as the “ﬁrst-ever Las Vegas-style desti“Numerically, we’re having a great response from nation to open in a major metropolitan core,” the the meetings community,” said Baum, whose staff MGM Grand offers 100,000 sf of gaming space. sent out 40 percent more leads in 2007 than in 2006. Additionally, the hotel is home to a 20,000-sf spa, “People are really interested in ﬁnding out more as well as 30,000 sf of meeting space—including a about what Detroit has to offer.” 14,000-sf pillarless ballroom. For Baum, the renaissance that has been talked The MotorCity Casino Hotel, which unveiled about in the city for 30 years is now here.“It’s a dra400 guest rooms of its own in November, will open matic opportunity for us because so many people 67,000 sf of meeting space in the ﬁrst quarter of this have never been to Detroit—or haven’t been here year, as well as a 1,200-seat theater that will be avail- in 20 years. In either case, they don’t know what able to groups. Detroit is today,” he said.“When they come, they’re “We really want to see Detroit become a destina- inevitably blown away.” tion city,” said Jennifer Kulczycki, a spokesperson for —Phillip Hennessey Hotel Rooms and Slots Hook Up in the Poconos Full-ﬂedged resort with meeting space in Pennsylvania is winning over planners Pennsylvania’s ﬁrst casino resort had its grand opening in the Poconos in November, a month after its gaming portion opened. With 188 luxury guest rooms, the $412-million Mount Airy Casino Resort is the ﬁrst of the state’s six slot casinos and has a hotel. It also has three meeting rooms totaling 30 MeetingNews January 28, 2008 7,200 sf of space for groups of up to 150; Tom Brennan, director of food and beverage, said the resort has several groups booked through next fall. Other amenities at the property include two ﬁne-dining restaurants, two casual dining outlets, and an upscale nightclub with live perform- ances. A spa is slated to open in early February, and a renovated golf course is on target for a summer 2009 opening. Gaming consists of 2,500 slot machines, with 500 more machines planned. Meanwhile, a casino resort is planned for Bethlehem, PA, about an hour from Philadelphia, by spring 2009, courtesy of Las Vegas Sands. Plans call for a hotel, restaurants, shops, entertainment areas, and 3,000 slot machines, as well as a commitment to the preservation of the ruins of the historic Bethlehem Steel Company. —Irene Korn www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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