Hard Rock International
Hard Rock International and NY Mets Owner Steve Cohen Officially Unveil Renderings of Metropolitan Park
New renderings of Metropolitan Park, the partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, give New Yorkers a look of what turning empty parking lots into 25 acres of new public park will actually feel like. The $8 billion privately funded project is now moving forward with ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) New York City’s process for public approval of the development. The design and the layout were informed over three years of community engagement by Cohen and his partners with local residents, small businesses, Mets fans, and Queens community leaders to transform the area.
Metropolitan Park is a once in a life-time opportunity to transform the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into an economic engine that will create 23,000 competitive-paying union jobs. This reimagined space will bring together neighbors, fans, and visitors to enjoy 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.
“We are very proud to present New Yorkers with the visualization of what’s possible for a world-class city and its surrounding neighborhoods. We’d like to thank our partners for working with us to create something truly transformative. We take great pride and the utmost care in bringing forth something that will create much needed jobs and memories that will live on for generations to come,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International.
“It’s time the world’s greatest city got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better. Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of,” said New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Hard Rock International
Hard Rock International Promotes Morgan Lexis to SVP of Global Sales
Hard Rock International has announced the promotion of Morgan Lexis to Senior Vice President of Global Sales. In this new role, Lexis will manage global sales for 35 Hard Rock properties, lead global marketing efforts for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) and travel industry sales segments (TIS), as well as oversee the development of sales teams and strategies at all new property openings, including the upcoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Lexis reports to Chief Operating Officer for Hard Rock International, Jeff Hook.
“Morgan’s promotion is a reflection of her remarkable contributions to Hard Rock and her proven ability to create exceptional experiences for our guests. Her expertise in sales operations, combined with her extensive knowledge of our portfolio and tenure in the Las Vegas market, has positioned her to lead our global sales strategy into the future,” said Jeff Hook.
Lexis, a Certified Meeting Professional based in Las Vegas, has more than 20 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry. She has been part of the Hard Rock team for four years, most recently serving as VP of Sales for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, leading the team focused on promoting and selling the future property across MICE and TIS segments. Prior, she was VP of Sales at The Mirage Hotel & Casino where she led and managed convention & leisure sales, catering, services and luxury experience teams. Lexis previously held sales leadership roles at other notable Las Vegas entities including Luxor Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and Bellagio Resort & Casino.
“I’m honored to step into this expanded role and to continue growing alongside such an extraordinary team and brand. Hard Rock’s key differentiators set us apart in the meetings and events landscape, and I look forward to sharing that distinctive experience with audiences around the world—driving meaningful growth across our iconic properties, including, of course, the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas,” said Lexis.
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Bo Guidry
Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International Announce New Leadership Appointments Across Multiple Casino Destinations Nationwide
Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International announced key leadership appointments and transitions across their hotel and casino portfolio, spurred by the organization’s ongoing growth, entertainment innovation, and commitment to world-class service.
The appointments include: Randy Morton as the new President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; Travis Lunn as the new President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa; Bo Guidry as the new President of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati; and Justin Wyborn to the new role of SVP and General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
“These appointments reflect both the exceptional talent within our organization and the caliber of new leaders we’re bringing to our team. Each individual brings exceptional gaming and hospitality experience that will benefit our guests, team members and the local communities we serve. I’m confident they will uphold our standards of excellence and contribute to our continued growth,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming.
Randy Morton
Industry veteran Randy Morton is joining as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to manage the iconic Guitar Hotel property in Hollywood, Fla., reporting to David Hoenemeyer, COO of Seminole Gaming. Morton brings extensive industry experience to the role, including over 12 years leading Bellagio in Las Vegas as President and COO. He has held leadership roles at: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas; OVG Hotel and Casino Development in Las Vegas, overseeing the strategic planning and development of a high-profile luxury development project; as Co-CEO of Foley Entertainment Group and the Vegas Golden Knights; and at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.
Travis Lunn
Also new to the team and reporting to David Hoenemeyer is Travis Lunn, tapped as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, which includes Seminole Gaming’s largest Florida casino. Lunn brings more than 25 years of gaming and hospitality leadership experience to his new role. Most recently, for MGM Resorts International, he served as President and COO for Mandalay Bay, The W, Luxor and Four Seasons. His career includes leadership roles at The Borgata Casino, MGM Resorts Southeast Group overseeing Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., and Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss., as well as MGM Grand Las Vegas, and The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts.
Bo Guidry
For the last seven years as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Bo Guidry has played an instrumental role during the opening of the iconic Guitar Hotel and introduction of sports betting, craps and roulette. In his new role overseeing the company’s popular Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, he will report to Jeff Hook, COO of Hard Rock International. Guidry previously served in leadership roles at Horseshoe Council Bluffs and Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel & Casino, where he oversaw the team for Caesars Entertainment Corporation over 10 years, held key roles at Harrah’s Casino St. Louis and has worked at properties across the country.
Justin Wyborn
Justin Wyborn has more than 25 years of international hospitality experience. Since joining the company in 2013, he has held multiple leadership roles across its Florida properties, and was most recently President of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. Wyborn is taking on a new role as SVP and General Manager of the upcoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, reporting to Joe Lupo, President of the property. Currently under construction and slated to open in 2027, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will transform the city’s skyline and provide luxury gaming, dining and entertainment experiences in the center of the Las Vegas Strip.
The post Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International Announce New Leadership Appointments Across Multiple Casino Destinations Nationwide appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming Sustain Commitment to Prevent Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry with New Global Initiatives and Expanded Programs
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January by expanding their comprehensive anti-trafficking initiatives with educational forums at flagship properties, a new partnership for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and global growth of existing programs, including the Social Identity Quest program, Change for Change initiative and trainings for frontline team members.
“Our responsibility extends far beyond providing world-class entertainment and hospitality experiences. We recognize our unique position to identify, prevent and combat human trafficking. This year’s initiatives reflect our commitment to community partnership and ensuring our programs serve those most vulnerable to exploitation,” said Stephanie Piimauna, SVP of People & Inclusion at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.
These initiatives build on Hard Rock International’s industry-leading commitment to combating human trafficking. Their efforts recently earned recognition from ECPAT International, who named Hard Rock International a 2025 Top Member of The Code, the world’s first and only voluntary set of business principles that travel, tourism, and hospitality companies can implement to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children.
Convening Communities and Industry Leaders to Support Trafficking Prevention
This month, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming are bringing together team members, community partners and industry leaders in collaborative workshops designed to create innovative prevention strategies that can further inform the companies’ human trafficking prevention programs.
On January 14 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming hosted a Warrior Workshop to Reclaim Safety. While human trafficking and related social issues disproportionately affect Indigenous communities, significant gaps persist in trafficking prevention resources available to serve these populations.
The workshop was facilitated by Durante Blais-Billie, Seminole Tribe member and Social Responsibility Specialist at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming; Cheyne Bluhm, Deputy Director of Curriculum & Learning at PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking); and Tsvetelina Thompson, Managing Director at Twentyfour-Seven Inc.
On January 28 at Hard Rock Hotel New York, Hard Rock will host an educational forum with community partner Covenant House to gather industry leaders with trafficking survivors and experts to explore practices that can accelerate industry action to protect vulnerable youth. Attendees will tackle real-world challenges, share firsthand insights and build solutions for collective action and industry-wide engagement.
The post Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming Sustain Commitment to Prevent Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry with New Global Initiatives and Expanded Programs appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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