Hollywood Icon James Cameron Joins Harrah's-Keppel Caesars
Singapore Team
Harrah's Chief Gary Loveman Unveils the Next Generation of
Entertainment
LAS VEGAS, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harrah's
Entertainment, Inc. 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.
"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
www.harrahs.com.
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