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FEATURES

SHOP TALK 18

From souvenir shops to outlet malls to investment-level jewelers and couturiers , here ’ s why the casino retail mix is more important than ever .

BY WILLIAM SOKOLIC

COVER STORY

Casino entertainment started as a three-tiered system ( headliners , lounge acts , revues ). Today ’ s lineup is bigger , broader and arguably better with something to please multiple market segments . Here ’ s how the pros do it .

BY MARJORIE PRESTON

BOOK ’ EM ! 28

Starting in the 1980s , Tom Cantone revolutionized casino entertainment , booking edgy comics and rockers . He talks about his legendary career , his biggest coups and the one superstar he has yet to sign . BY ROGER GROS

DEPARTMENTS

PUBLISHER ’ S LETTER 4

BY ROGER GROS

BUILDING EXCITEMENT 6 Our annual roundup of the year ’ s most innovative and exciting casino developments .

Q & A : HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY OUTSIDE THE CASINO FLOOR 52 In Casino Style ’ s inaugural Q & A , the world ’ s top architects , designers , marketers and business strategists share their visions for the gaming resort of the future . ( Hint : it ’ s not about building a better mousetrap .) COMPILED BY JULIE BRINKERHOFF-JACOBS

DATA OVERLOAD ? DO THIS 30 It ’ s easy to amass customer data . It ’ s harder to make sense of the data and use it to boost your business . Our experts explain how it ’ s done . BY DAVE BONTEMPO

PARTY ON ! 34

Nightlife , daylife , after hours , all hours . Casinos can ’ t afford the luxury of down time . Here ’ s how smart operators keep the action going .

BY RODRIC HURDLE-BRADFORD

NOT JUST READY-TO-WEAR 40

Dressing the rank-and-file means more than pulling a uniform off the rack . Contemporary workplace wear is stylish , comfortable and in some cases , downright runway-ready .

BY ERICA SWEENEY

THE FOOD CHAIN 46

Here ’ s how franchise restaurants stand up against celebrity chefs , all-you-can-eat buffets and other staples of casino F & B .

BY JAMES RUTHERFORD

HAIL , CAESARS ! 66 When Caesars Palace opened in 1966 , it set a new standard of opulence with non-gaming amenities then almost unknown in the industry . We celebrate 50 years of pioneering innovations .

BY PATRICK ROBERTS

STYLE SPOTLIGHT

Cintas Corp . Cuningham Group Architecture Entertainment Design Corp . Gary Platt Manufacturing

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ON THE COVER : Concert at Mohegan Sun Arena . Photo courtesy Mohegan Sun . 2016 CASINO STYLE l 3