New Park Place Entertainment President Thomas Gallagher Set To Address American Gaming Summit

Leader of World's Largest Gaming Company Makes First Major Address at Gaming Summit January 12 in Las Vegas

Press Release: Casino Journal Publishing Group
December 5, 2000
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Thomas E. Gallagher, president and chief executive officer of Park Place Entertainment Corporation, will appear as a keynote speaker at the 2001 American Gaming Summit next month in Las Vegas. Gallagher will discuss the future of his company and his view of challenges facing the gaming industry.

Named to head the world's largest casino gaming company in October, following the death of Arthur M. Goldberg, Gallagher is making his first major industry appearance at the American Gaming Summit, according to Glenn Fine, one of the producers of the annual event that will take place Jan. 11 & 12 at Bellagio in Las Vegas.

``The American Gaming Summit is proud to be the venue at which Tom Gallagher will address the members of the gaming industry,'' said Fine, Group Publisher for Casino Journal Publishing Group. ``We've known Mr. Gallagher for many years and are confident that he'll continue the success at Park Place Entertainment begun under Mr. Goldberg.''

In addition to Casino Journal Publishing Group, which is the leading information provider for the gaming industry, producers of the American Gaming Summit include Bear Stearns & Co., Inc., one of the nation's premier financial institutions, and Lionel Sawyer Collins, Nevada's largest law firm.

``The appointment of Tom Gallagher as president has been well received on Wall Street,'' said Jason Ader, senior managing director for Bear, Stearns. ``Mr. Gallagher has tremendous knowledge and insight about the gaming industry.'' Gallagher's keynote luncheon address will wrap up the Summit on Jan. 12.

Gallagher, who has described himself as ``flying below the radar'' in his eight-year gaming and lodging career, joined Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1997, where he served as executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel. He had a major role in the planning and execution of the transaction that created Park Place, as well as the acquisition of Grand Casinos, Inc. by Park Place.

Prior to joining Hilton, Gallagher was president and chief executive officer of The Griffin Group Inc., the investment and management company for Merv Griffin's extensive hotel, gaming, entertainment and media operations and investments. In addition to his wide experience in the gaming, lodging and entertainment industries, Gallagher was a partner in the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, practicing in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and international transactions.

The American Gaming Summit is seen as a ``must attend'' event for top-level gaming executives, according to Fine. ``It offers unbeatable networking opportunities with public officials, key institutional investors, attorneys, Native American entrepreneurs and businesses that offer products and services to the gaming industry.''

Established in 1994, the American Gaming Summit has grown in size and stature, annually drawing more than 1,000 national and international attendees, and featuring the gaming industry's leading figures. This year the Summit will honor MGM MIRAGE Executive Chairman J. Terrence Lanni with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a special keynote dinner on Jan. 11.

For more information on attending the American Gaming Summit, call 800-394-2467. Attendees will receive a special room rate for Bellagio during the convention. Special sponsorships and exhibiting opportunities are still available. For more information call 800-229-8516.

SOURCE: Casino Journal Publishing Group