Harrah's Chief Gary Loveman Unveils the Next Generation of Entertainment
LAS VEGAS, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE: HET) and Keppel Land raised the ante today in their bid for the
integrated resort project at Marina Bay in Singapore, joining forces with
Hollywood legend and Academy Award(R) winner James Cameron to create
"iPort" -- an immersive indoor entertainment experience. This teaming
represents an unparalleled convergence of Cameron's Hollywood creativity with
Harrah's entertainment and customer-service expertise.
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"This is something that is truly pathfinding, something that has never
been done anywhere in the world," said Gary Loveman, chairman, chief executive
officer and president of Harrah's Entertainment. "We believe this will be the
gateway attraction for Asia."
iPort will be a key component of this entirely innovative resort project
worthy of the famed Caesars brand -- "Caesars Singapore." The luxurious
nature and iconic stature of this resort project demanded the use of the
world-renowned Caesars name. Caesars Singapore will stand as the gateway to
the consummate guest experience in Asia.
"This is art, architecture, cutting-edge technology and entertainment,"
said Cameron, who has been retained as executive producer of iPort. "This is
a chance to push the envelope and do something that's never been done. Think
of it not as a space, but as a total immersion experience."
iPort will be a 1 million-square-foot, 16-story state-of-the-art facility
with dozens of major attractions, immersive rides and groundbreaking shows,
along with dining and retail experiences that will be attractions unto
themselves. The experience is expected to draw large numbers of visitors the
first year of operation.
Describing the creative essence of iPort, Craig Hanna, chief creative
officer of Thinkwell Design & Production, said, "This immersive entertainment
experience will wow visitors with amazing environments, thrilling experiences
and much more."
Although the iPort building will be 16 stories tall, it features only five
levels inside -- the floor-to-ceiling space ranges from 30 to 40 feet per
floor to maximize the immersive nature of the environments conceived. The
main feature of iPort will be the center atrium, dubbed the "Media Canyon."
The Media Canyon spans the full height of the 16-story building and features
the world's largest video elements: two 140-foot "video cyclones" that go from
floor to ceiling and are clad with high resolution LED, creating a
continuously pulsing, moving video display that will astonish visitors.
Guests move up and down through iPort on a low-incline ramp system that
winds its way through the building and can effortlessly access the different
levels and various entertainment areas via "traveling pods" -- a cantilevered
transportation system that extends from the base of the Media Canyon to the
top of iPort.
"iPort, for me, is Christmas morning," Cameron said. "It's a chance to
play with all of the toys."
Harrah's and Keppel have assembled a creative and cutting-edge talent
lineup as they pursue this premier project in Asia. Previously announced
players include: world-famous gallery Centre Pompidou; renowned architect
Daniel Libeskind; Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc.'s AEG Live Division;
convention promotion and management specialist SMG; Suntec Singapore
International Convention and Exhibition Centre; retail giants Taubman Asia
Ltd. and Gordon Group Holdings (Taubman/Gordon); and celebrated luxury-retail
designer Peter Marino.
This combination of world-class talent will create a resort unlike any on
Earth, experientially compelling for guests, helping to develop Singapore into
a must-see international tourist destination.
Sandy Climan Entertainment Ventures provided counsel to Harrah's.
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded
casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in
Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new
properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on
building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of
great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational
excellence and technology leadership.
More information about Harrah's is available at its Web site
http://www.harrahs.com.
SOURCE Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.harrahs.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021220/LAF055LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Investors, Dan Foley, +1-702-407-6370,
dfoley@harrahs.com, or Media, Alberto Lopez, +1-702-407-6344,
albertol@harrahs.com, both of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.; or
Ivana Chua, +65 6413-6436, ivana.chua@kepcorp.com, or Teri Liew,
+65 6413-6425, teri.liew@kepcorp.com, both of Keppel Land; or
Jonathan Webster of Manning Selvage & Lee, +65 6477-6300,
jonathan.webster@sg.mslpr.com
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