Today Harrah’s Entertainment and Keppel Land have announced an exclusive agreement with Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre to promote Singapore to international conference planners and organizers. This latest deal emphasizes the importance of the conference element for the success of an integrated resort, and follows a recent alliance with SMG, the world’s largest marketer and operator of convention centres.

Through the exclusive strategic agreement, Suntec Singapore will be actively involved in the design and development of the convention facility at the Harrah’s/KepLand integrated resort project for Marina Bay. The Singapore government is keen to promote the country as a prime location for conventions and business travellers. A joint marketing programme will be developed by Harrah’s, Keppel Land, SMG and Suntec Singapore.

Richard Mirman, Senior Vice President of Harrah’s Entertainment, stated, “We have always felt that local partners are critical to our success in Singapore and are proud to welcome yet another industry leader to our Marina Bay project team in order to create a world-class IR which will enhance Singapore’s great position in the highly competitive global MICE market. With SMG, CEMS and now Suntec Singapore as part of our formidable team, Harrah’s and Keppel Land enjoy an unbeatable advantage that will benefit our Marina Bay IR proposal and Singapore as a whole.”

“We are very excited about joining forces with Harrah’s, Keppel Land and SMG, whom we know and respect, having worked together on several successful projects,” said Warren Buckley, CEO of Suntec Singapore. “This strong team of industry leaders will be a powerful force in attracting new business from the lucrative international MICE market to Singapore and setting new standards in the MICE industry in Asia. We have always endorsed the IR as being good for Singapore and are confident we have chosen a partner who we can work with effectively to grow Singapore’s MICE industry and also have a positive effect on other local players in the industry as the local MICE sector expands.”

This latest move by Harrah’s should strengthen its bid to develop Singapore’s first casino resort. Analysts predict that one of the three US operators, Harrah’s, MGM Mirage or Las Vegas Sands, will make the successful tender for the Marina Bay resort. Of 12 initial companies in the running only 5 now remain. (E-12.13.05)

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