Las Vegas guide: Las Vegas casino games, entertainment in Las Vegas, doing business in Las Vegas, studying at University of Nevada - Las Vegas. Tips to play poker online, blackjack online, video poker online, internet slot machines, baccarat and other casino games. Las Vegas blog: have the time of your life in Las Vegas!
Other top keywords used to reach us are "Andrea Agassi" and the evergreen "las vegas lifestyle". BTW, Agassi was born and is proudly living here in Vegas; he appears in a funny advertisment with his wife and kid.
More news about the Las Vegas tennis player and Fun City lifestyle coming soon on LVConfidential.com!
While looking at our statistics, I noticed several people who reached us while searching for information about the "palazzo las vegas". So, here we go!
Based on surging demand for Las Vegas as a business and leisure travel destination, Las Vegas Sands is proceeding full-speed ahead with financing for a $1.6 billion, 3,000-room resort adjacent to The Venetian.
The company, which owns The Venetian in Las Vegas and the Sands Macao and is controlled by developer Sheldon Adelson, announced Friday it is working on plans for an initial public stock offering to finance the Palazzo, the new resort's working name.
Joe Greff, gaming analyst at Fulcrum Global Partners, an independent Wall Street investment research firm, said the public stock offering has been much anticipated. He expects it to be well-received on Wall Street, both because of the economic boom in Las Vegas and the financial track record of The Venetian.
The combined Palazzo, Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center will be the largest resort and hotel complex in the world, with more than 7,000 hotel rooms and suites.
In addition, Deutsche Bank analyst Andrew Zarnett said, the expansion will create what will be the world's third-largest gaming company, once the recently announced MGM Mirage-Mandalay Resort Group and Harrah's Entertainment-Caesars Entertainment mergers are completed.
"The stock offering is significant because it will enable Sheldon (Adelson) to show the success he's had on a monetary basis and will give him the currency to make acquisitions in the future," Zarnett said.
The Palazzo is expected to feature more than 3,000 new hotel suites, an approximately 105,000-square-foot casino and an approximately 375,000-square-foot mall.
The original 36-story Venetian was developed on the site of the old Sands for $1.4 billion and opened in 1999.
The 22-story Venezia tower has 12 stories of rooms built over 10 stories of parking, and was completed in 2003, bringing the complex's room total to 4,049.
The company announcement of its plans for an IPO said the timing and completion of the offering are subject to market conditions and other contingencies. The announcement also said the offering will only be made pursuant to a prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, Wall Street analysts said Friday that they expect the company to register the stock offering with the SEC next week at the same time it reports its second-quarter earnings.
They also said they expect the company to initially price the offering in September. Sources close to the financing said the company hopes to have the deal done by early November.
Greff said the timing could prove to be unfortunate because of growing investor uncertainty about gaming stocks.
He compared it to the timing of developer Steve Wynn's initial public offering two years ago. Analysts had initially expected the offering to be priced at $22 a share. But it closed at $13 a share in the midst of aftershocks in the travel industry from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
However, Zarnett said Adelson will still own the bulk of the company, which will add to investor confidence.
Other analysts who asked not to be named said Wall Street is in love with independent entrepreneurs such as Adelson and that investors prefer companies with proven cash flow, which Wynn Resorts still doesn't have.
Therefore, they said it is likely the new stock offering will price well, unless the stock market keeps falling. The Dow Jones industrial average closed Friday below 9,800 for first time since Dec. 1.
Construction on the Palazzo is expected to start within a month. The Palazzo is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2007.
Other money for the project will come from net proceeds from the new senior secured credit facility, $135 million in equipment financing, a $250 million construction loan for the Palazzo mall, the net proceeds from the recently completed sale of the Grand Canal Shoppes for $766 million, and operating cash flow.
Verbatim from http://www.casinocitytimes.com, by Rod Smith - Las Vegas Gaming Wire
Las Vegas draws 2.2 percent more out-of-towners than same month a year ago
Summer doldrums stalled the city's increasingly important convention industry this June, but an influx of tourists still brought enough travelers for Las Vegas to host just more than 3 million monthly visitors for the fifth time this year.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said Friday June's visitor count was just 2.2 percent better than the same month a year ago, the smallest month-over-month gain in what's so far shaped up as a record year for local travel.
A 31.5 percent drop in convention attendance played a large part in June's slowed growth. Changes in this year's convention calendar resulted in nearly 141,000 fewer delegates during the month and lowered that segment's monthly economic impact from $519.5 million last June to approximately $360 million.
John Piet, senior research analyst for the convention authority, said two large beauty-related trade shows moved to May this year after taking place in June 2003, and three more events shifted from June to July. Only one significant show, a 12,250-attendee event hosted by Herbalife International, rotated out of the city during the period.
"The effect of these events was basically spread to other months" than June, Piet said.
Summer is traditionally a slow period for business travel in Southern Nevada and much of the United States.
Room nights occupied by business travelers fell from 945,286 last June to 678,319, a 28.2 percent decline. Still, a surge in leisure travel pushed the city's room night total to more than 3.38 million, up 2.4 percent.
Whether they came for business or pleasure, visitors paid more to stay in Las Vegas. The city's average daily room rate topped $80 per night, up 8.9 percent from last June's $73.44 average. That gain coincided with Las Vegas' yearlong migration toward higher room prices. Through June, guests paid an average of $92.07 per night vs. $83.96 during the first half of 2003.
Citywide occupancy levels reached 87.5 percent in June, up 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. For the year, local rooms have been filled 89.4 percent of the time, up 4 percentage points.
Las Vegas attracted nearly 18.8 million guests during this year's first half, up 6.5 percent from a year ago and on pace to shatter the best-ever 35.85 million visitor count set in 2000.
Verbatim from http://www.reviewjournal.com
For the ones who asked for some software to practice casino games as baccarat, blackjack, poker, roulette, video poker, ect.:
UNLV linebacker Adam Seward is one of 113 members of the 2004 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, which was released by the honor's executive committee Wednesday.
Eligibility for the Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen and those defensive players who line up within five yards of the football. The Watch List highlights players who have already received national recognition such as preseason all-conference. The Lombardi selection committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past finalists, all Division I head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
This fall's list includes 27 offensive tackles, 24 defensive ends, 20 linebackers, 13 centers, eight defensive tackles, seven offensive guards and four tight ends.
Seward, who is the first Rebel to make the list since former defensive end Ahmad Briggs in 2002, is already his school's career tackle leader with 312. The two-time first team All-Mountain West Conference selection needs just 23 takedowns this fall to become the league's all-time tackle king.
The 35th Annual Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner will be held in Houston on December 8, with all net proceeds from the dinner and related activities adding to the total of nearly $3 million that has been raised for the American Cancer Society since the events inception. Chris Spielman, the 1987 winner of the award, will serve as this year's featured speaker.
Verbatim from http://unlvrebels.collegesports.com
The UNLV women's soccer team will undertake the toughest schedule in the seven years of the program, as the Rebels will face eight teams that played in the 2003 NCAA Tournament in the 2004 schedule released on Tuesday.
"With the momentum we finished with last year and the success we had in our spring season, we're very excited about the upcoming start to the year," said UNLV head coach Dan Abdalla. "Obviously having so many teams that played in the NCAAs last year is going to make our season very challenging, but what I see this year is that all the teams on our schedule are quality teams, there are no easy wins this year. How we compete against those other quality teams is going to determine how our season goes, while we also hope to have success against some of the ranked teams that we're going to face."
UNLV opens the season at home on Saturday, Aug. 28 with a match against Kansas, who advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last year. The Rebels will host one tournament this year, the UNLV FILA Classic, in which they will face Northern Arizona and Montana on Sept. 3 and 5. Following the tournament, UNLV goes on the road for four straight, including a trip to Houston for two games (at Houston, Sept. 10, at Rice, Sept. 12), and then into SEC country for a Sept. 17 match at Auburn and a Sept. 19 contest at Tennessee.
Three more home games against tournament teams follow against San Diego (Sept. 24), Idaho State (Sept. 30), and Arizona State (Oct. 3), sandwiching a game at in-state rival Nevada, Reno (Sept. 26).
UNLV will begin the Mountain West Conference season at Utah on Oct. 7. This year's tournament will be hosted by BYU in Provo, Utah, on Nov. 3-6.
The Rebels finished the 2003 season with a 9-9-3 mark, 2-4 in the MWC, and advanced to the semifinals of the 2003 MWC Tournament, where they tied #19 Utah 0-0 in double overtime, but saw the Utes advance on a penalty kick shootout.
Verbatim from http://unlvrebels.collegesports.com
UNLV, in association with Buddy Greco Productions, will present “FEVER! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee,” Aug.18 through Aug. 29 in the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus. The show stars Lezlie Anders and jazz pianist and singing legend, Buddy Greco, with the Benny Goodman Tribute Band.
“FEVER!” premiered at the Judy Bayley Theatre two years ago to rave reviews.
“Every single number is beautifully rendered… this show is one that grabs you on the first note and doesn't let go until the curtain falls….And then you wonder why there isn't anymore.” Carolyn Wardle , LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL
“FEVER!” has been touring nationally since its opening with more rave reviews following each performance in every city.
“Fever! Has a lot going for it, everyone involved is a real pro with Greco leading the way with his relaxed stage presence, and a sure way with lyrics.” VARIETY
“Lez Anders made the material live, and certainly looks the part. Greco's charm, swing and vibrancy is winning.” BOSTON HERALD
“I am extremely proud of what we have created here,” said Greco. “Peggy Lee deserves to be recognized for the great talent that she is. We claim in our show that she is the most important woman in American music, and I don't think anyone will make the contribution that she did again. She was a pioneer in our profession and a great lady.”
“I am also very proud to have UNLV as a partner in this production,” said Greco. “Dean Jeff Koep's progressive views about new theatre ventures for the school brought the project to the students, and at the same time, with a success, brings revenue to the school, and more specifically to the performing arts department. That means a lot to Lezlie and me. Every ticket or CD that is purchased will bring income to the school. This is the future of new theatre in this country,” said Greco, “and in this way, we can continue giving to the program that will give us the artists of the future.”
“There are some new things in the show,” Greco continued. “I am very pleased that for the performances at the Judy Bayley Theatre, we will use the Benny Goodman Tribute Band. They are great musicians, and it will be a fun having the big band back on the stage.”
“There is one number in the show where we will feature dogs for adoption from the Nevada SPCA No-kill Animal Sanctuary. Peggy was a great animal lover, and so are we,” said Anders. “Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke wrote all the lyrics and music, including the voices of characters for Disney's ‘The Lady and the Tramp.' We always thought about putting our own dogs in the show, but this is better. We may find some homes for our guest stars,” laughs Lezlie.
Five percent of all ticket sales will be donated to the Nevada SPCA No-kill Animal Sanctuary.
Performances are at 8 p.m. August 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 28 with matinees at 2 p.m. on August 21, 22, 28 and 29. Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors and military, and available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office located in the southeast corner of the parking garage. The PAC Box Office can be reached Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 895-ARTS (2787) for additional ticket information.
Verbatim from http://www.unlv.edu
UNLV has selected Gerry Bomotti, the vice president for administrative services at Colorado State University since 1993, as its new vice president for finance, effective Sept. 7.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Gerry Bomotti to this very important position,” said UNLV President Carol C. Harter. “He will bring both extensive experience and great enthusiasm to the post of vice president for finance, and he will be a tremendous asset to the university.”
Bomotti, who has more than 28 years of experience in higher education administration, oversees a number of functions at Colorado State University, including business/accounting and financial services, budget development and maintenance, human resources, institutional analysis, purchasing and central receiving, and other administrative support areas.
He formerly served as the vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He previously held several other positions at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, including vice chancellor for administration and special assistant to the president for restructuring. He also served as vice chancellor for administration for the University of Alaska Division of Community Colleges in the areas of rural education and extension and as director of several administrative departments.
Bomotti is the third recipient of the J. William Fulbright Medal of Honor from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, following first recipient J. William Fulbright and second recipient William Jefferson Clinton.
He holds a master’s degree in mathematics from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oregon State University.
At UNLV, Bomotti will be responsible for oversight of the controller’s office, purchasing, the budget office, grants and contracts financial services, and the athletics and Thomas & Mack Center business offices.
“I look forward to joining UNLV,” Bomotti said. “I’ve been very impressed with the people I’ve met at the university, and I’m very enthusiastic about this opportunity.”
UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution with nearly 27,000 students and approximately 850 faculty members. More than 200 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered. Founded in 1957, UNLV is located on 337 acres in dynamic Southern Nevada. The university is ranked in the category of Doctoral/Research Universities-Intensive by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Verbatim from http://www.unlv.edu
Michael D. Murray, professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, has been named director of the newly formed Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies at UNLV, effective July 1.
Murray currently serves as the Curator's Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, where he has taught for the past 22 years. Widely published, Murray is author or editor of seven books, including the “Encyclopedia of Television News” and “Television in America,” and co-editor of the recently published “Mass Communication Education.” He currently serves as the review and criticism editor of the academic periodical “Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media.” In addition, he is the former president of the American Journalism Historians Association, which in 2003 presented him with its highest honor, The Sidney Kobre Award for Lifetime Contributions.
Murray earned a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1974 and has worked in network news at NBC television stations and CBS News. Prior to joining the University of Missouri, he founded and directed the communication and journalism program at the University of Louisville.
Formerly the Hank Greenspun School of Communication, the school was recently reorganized and renamed the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies and will include the units of print and broadcast journalism, public relations, and advertising.
The school's former director, David Henry, will serve as chair of the newly formed department of communication studies, which will house programs in rhetorical, interpersonal, and intercultural communications.
UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution with nearly 27,000 students and approximately 850 faculty members. More than 200 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered. Founded in 1957, UNLV is located on 337 acres in dynamic Southern Nevada. The university is ranked in the category of Doctoral/Research Universities-Intensive by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Verbatim from http://www.unlv.edu/
Ok, it's Saturday, but there's always room for business! If you like to get an insider look in casino operations because you are studying at UNLV, managing a casino or willing to get to know the casino backstage, check:
It's Jim Kilby's website. With Jim Fox, he wrote the manual Casino Operations Managemen. This is what you cane xpect from this book: "Starting with an exhaustive and extensive history of gambling, this original text will provide complete coverage on one of the fastest growing industries in the US - the gaming industry. This practical guide is a must for anyone involved in the management of casinos and will cover all aspects within these businesses including regulatory control environments, the games, marketing, organization, cage operations, accounting and surveillance".
On http://www.jimkilby.com/ you get info about his book, plus free slides used while teaching at UNLV and the free software Casino Marketing Manager version 3.3.2, which includes win and loss barriers for both blackjack and baccarat.
You'll soon get an interview with one of the most experienced floorman in Vegas. He has got a +30 experience in casino operations, plus he was publisher of one of the main Vegas magazines and starred in "Indecent proposal" with Demi Moore and Robert Redford.
He will tell us about future projects and targets, so stay tuned for exciting news!