10 QUESTIONS WITH
MARK GIANNANTONIO
President & Chief Executive Officer
RESORTS CASINO HOTEL ATLANTIC CITY
By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist
Mark Giannantonio is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
He is the senior executive responsible for one of the greatest turnaround stories in Atlantic City casino history. The story has never really been told before. This issue, we’ll tell the story in a question and answer format.
It may seem like a lifetime ago, however, during the Great Recession of 2008 and beyond, Resorts Casino Hotel was regularly referred to as the likely first casino that would be forced to close its doors. At the time, no casino in Atlantic City had ever folded for economic reasons.
In the end, four casinos would ultimately close their doors. Resorts was not one of them. How did they defeat this widely held perception?
In this issue, we play 10 Questions with Mark Giannantonio. It will give you direct insight into the mindset of a modest, real winner at work.
- How did Resorts go from a public perception of the potential danger of closing during the Great Recession … to such a major turnaround?
Simply put, it was and continues to be the dedicated efforts of our ownership structure, Morris Bailey and his family and Mohegan Sun who allow the property to run to the highest standards possible. We have a great management team and the very best team members in the business.
- What was it like when all the previous hotel casinos around you closed shop (Taj Mahal, Revel & Showboat)?
It was an unprecedented time. Because of the correction in the AC market and ultimately the closings, we saw thousands of our colleagues around town lose their jobs. It was a difficult time for many individuals in South Jersey. It clearly strained the fabric of our region
- Has the Atlantic City Casino gaming jurisdiction been properly right-sized, first during the era of contraction, and now with the recent expansion of two new casinos?
The initial right-sizing of the market, while difficult, was driven by business volume. It afforded the opportunity for the AC Gaming Market to stabilize. It is hard to say regarding the recent expansion. I am optimistic, however, I think the next six months will provide that answer for all of us.
- Capriccio Restaurant earned the USA Today readers choice award as the # 1 casino restaurant in America. What does this mean for Resorts?
I am so happy that the fine men and woman that work at Capriccio are being recognized at a national level for the exceptional work that they do. The experience that the Capriccio staff provides our guests is very special and rare today. Jorge, Chef Lisa, and the entire staff deserve this honor and I could not be more happy for them. Their efforts reflect well on all of our team members at Resorts.
- Describe the atmosphere surrounding Resorts 40th Anniversary year of celebrations?
Beginning on Friday of Memorial Day Weekend the party began for Resorts. As the first casino to open outside of Nevada in 1978, we were ready to celebrate our anniversary in a big way! Our Summer was full of festivities and fun! Looking back now, it was a blur.
- What makes Resorts a world-class experience for your guests?
It is our team members. They make our guests feel at home when they are away from home.
- Your thoughts about Atlantic City’s preparedness to manage the shoulder and off-season months?
Atlantic City is a great regional destination gaming market twelve months a year. With great casino resorts, hotels, world-class dining, and incredible entertainment, Atlantic City has more to offer our guests than almost every other market in the country. I would say we have the amenities and are prepared!
- What do you see in store for the Atlantic City Hotel Casino market over the next 5-10 years?
I believe outside investment will continue in this market and a level of refinement and experience will continue to be enhanced.
- What does Resorts owner Morris Bailey mean to Resorts and Atlantic City?
Morris has been the driving force on so many topics that most people do not know. He is the reason why there are nearly 2000 employees working at Resorts currently. He loves Atlantic City and truly cares about her well-being.
- Who is your favorite “Beatle” (the legendary music group, The Beatles) and why?
Sir Paul. His body of work in amazing. He is a genius. (Hey Jude is my favorite).
In just 10 diverse questions, you have been provided a window into the winning philosophy that is currently in place at Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City. It is important to note, that the strongest characteristic of a true leader is to pass along all of the credit to his owner and team members. That’s what Giannantonio has made a career of doing.
Another competitive advantage for Giannantonio is that he is a home grown product. He has a full appreciation and understanding of Atlantic City before and since legalized casino gaming. It gives Giannantonio a wider spectrum of observation to serve both the locals and their destination-traveling client base.
About The Author:
Harry Hurley is the president of Harry Hurley Consulting and Communications, LLC. He hosts the daily talk radio program “Hurley in the Morning” 6-10 a.m., weekdays on Townsquare Media, WPG Talk Radio 104.1 FM & 1450 AM, where he also serves as the senior programming consultant. Harry was elected to both the Philadelphia (2014) and New Jersey (2015) Radio Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Harry Hurley has also been selected (2015-2018) as one of the Top 100 Most Important Talk Radio Hosts in America by Talkers Magazine. Hurley is also doing national fill-in, on-air talent work for FOX News Radio on their nationally syndicated platforms. He has hosted various programs for local television and is the editor and publisher of his news and information website, www.harryhurley.com. Send comments to HarryHurley@aol.com
About this issue’s subject:
Mark Giannantonio brings more than 35 years of Atlantic City gaming expertise to his role as President & CEO for Resorts Casino Hotel. He joined Resorts in September 2012 when it was announced that Mohegan Sun would take over the management of the property.
Before joining Resorts Casino Hotel, Giannantonio was a Senior Gaming Consultant with Spectrum Gaming, where he applied his experience in a more global atmosphere. He previously held various executive positions within the casino industry, most recently as President & CEO of Tropicana Casino & Resort.
A lifetime Atlantic County resident, Giannantonio serves on the Board of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). He is also an Advisory Board Member of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at Stockton University and on the Board of the Atlantic City Police Foundation. Additionally, he serves on the Steering Committee of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.
Giannantonio is a proud graduate of Stockton University, Class of 1987.
One Response
Resort is the best as are their host