STATESIDESTATESIDE


Sharon Harris asks, what’s in a name?


Stateside I Stateside


Sharon Harris asks what can be learned from recent events in Las Vegas


t was unimaginable that on the very week our global gaming industry converged on Las Vegas for G2E, the unthinkable could happen. As many had already arrived, or were arriving, a madman shattered the Las Vegas allure on October 1.


While 22,000 were enjoying an outdoor concert


at the chic Mandalay Bay, shots peppered the crowd from the 32nd floor. Within minutes, dozens lay dead and hundreds were wounded, some with lifetime injuries.


Wynn called Las Vegas a “target rich” environment in November 2015 and recruited top law enforcement and military


consultants to formulate a security plan


With tens of thousands of G2E attendees in town, a


large group probably stayed at the Mandalay Bay. How does one react or prepare for this type of nightmare?


Over time, we have learned this mass shooter, who


killed himself rather than be caught, methodically planned every detail of the carnage. A rich, heavy gambler, he did not fit any “standard“ profile.


Ironically, my W 8 OCTOBER 2017 8 MARCH 2022


deep consideration can sometimes harm a business significantly. Among giant American companies, United Airlines, the world’s third largest airline, proved that point. When aviation pioneer William Boeing founded his Boeing Airplane company in 1916, he later secured the first international postal delivery in 1919. Boeing established United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) on January 1, 1928, buying mail and passenger service operator Pacific Air Transport. A Boeing Aircraft & Transport Co./Pratt & Whitney Aircraft merger in early 1929 formed United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. In its 90 years, United has a record of successful


Casino International article in September‘s G2E issue specifically focused on casino crimes. Ex-FBI agent Tom Raftery, one quoted source, warned that many within the gaming industry have not adequately addressed possible onsite terrorism.


Tragically, the


Mandalay Bay learned otherwise and has now hired a


mergers and acquisitions, but one giant blunder in early 1987 proved disastrous. Then-CEO Richard Ferris aimed to “spread their wings” as a full-service hospitality


hat’s in a name? Juliet asked Romeo that question from her balcony in 1597. Does a name really matter? Maybe not in romance, but certainly in business. Changing a name or brand without


New York crisis management public relations firm. The lawsuits against them are just beginning to determine possible negligence by security personnel.


company. He spent $2.3 billion to buy Westin, Hilton International and Hertz Car Rental. Rebranded Allegis Corp., the conglomerate failed to


It is long overdue for casinos to incorporate


show a profit and confused the public. This chaos caused stockholders, including then-businessman Donald Trump, to rebel and force Ferris out within months. Trump said “Allegis” sounded like “the next world-class disease.” Following Ferris’s firing, Allegis divested its non-airline


terrorism preparedness into employee training. This killer brought guns into his hotel suite and installed cameras that monitored his room and the hallway. He then used heavy-duty hammers to smash the windows and take aim. Not that guests’ luggage or drawers be searched, but dozens of weapons take up a lot of space.


properties and reverted to United’s UAL Corp. name in May 1988, but the company had suffered financial and public relations damage. In 2012, when United merged with Continental


Many question the relative ease in getting such an


Airlines, another of America’s most prominent carriers, they faced a major decision. Which name to use? They retained the United name, but incorporated the famous Continental globe logo on its aircrafts’ tails. As the larger airline, United had more customers and public presence, but Continental’s customers recognized the globe logo branding. The combination guaranteed everyone’s familiarity and confidence. United remembered the lessons of the prior two decades. In 1960, five popular Las Vegas casinos made history with the original Ocean’s Eleven, movie starring famous “Rat Pack” figures like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. The plot had them pulling off a seemingly perfect heist of the five Strip hotels-the Sahara, Sands, Riviera, Desert Inn and Flamingo- on New Year’s Eve. These cool guys helped transform Las Vegas from a


arsenal to his suite. Conditions will certainly change since the bar altering our very behavior keeps shifting. So far, gaming has pretty much escaped these events, which is amazing considering these 24- hour businesses have dozens of open doors and entry points that never close.


glittery gambling mecca to an entertainment capital that drew thousands every week. Things remained that way until 1988 when casino


operator/mogul Steve Wynn’s landmark Mirage revolutionized casino architectural design. The Wynn name became one of gaming’s most prominent and it seemed that virtually everything he touched turned to “gold.” Wynn casinos debuted up and down the Strip for years. However, circumstances changed when Wynn faced


Image: Fannyes/Adobe Stock


sexual assault allegations in 2018 and his star faded. Despite the taint to his reputation and prominence, I think the public still think of Steve Wynn when they think of luxurious, sophisticated properties.


Jasmin/Adobe Stock


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