The World of Hospitality Issue 13 2015 | Page 4

4 industry news the World Of Hospitality Industry News Kube Systems launches Apple Watch Charger Philadelphia City Council Rules Committee Unanimously Approves Zoning For $450 Million Stadium District Hotel And Casino T he Philadelphia City Council Rules Committee today unanimously endorsed the zoning for Stadium Casino, LLC’s new destination hotel casino resort in Philadelphia’s Stadium District. The Project, which was awarded the last casino license in the Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in late 2014, is being developed in partnership between The Cordish Companies and Parx Casino (“Parx”). The privately financed $450 million world-class project will include a Las Vegas-style casino floor featuring more than 2,000 slot machines and more than 125 table games; a new 200+ room luxury hotel, spa and conference center; valet parking and an approximately 2,600 space parking garage; local and nationallyrecognized destination restaurants; and live entertainment venues. The Project is immediately proximate to the Philadelphia Sports Complex, already a major tourist destination, drawing 8.5 million visitors a year. Ideally situated off Interstates 76 and 95, the property is positioned to become a true regional destination resort casino. Stadium Casino, LLC will set a new standard in development in the City of Philadelphia in the areas of economic opportunity and inclusivity for local residents. The Project will generate over $2 billion in economic stimulus along with $100 million in tax revenues for the City in just its first five years of operation, including $25 million to Philadelphia’s School District. Stadium Casino will also create 3,000 new construction jobs which will generate approximately $145 million in estimated new wages and salaries (direct and indirect) during construction. Upon completion of the Project, 2,000 new permanent jobs will be created. Hourly workers will earn a living wage of at least $12 per hour for all employment categories including subcontractors and vendors. Career opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance and gaming operations. The Stadium District Hotel and Casino project will be one of the major charitable contributors and participants in the community and has received support from all five surrounding South Philadelphia Neighborhood Groups. Stadium Casino remains committed to engaging community groups and residents within the civic associations to work together to enact improvements in the neighborhoods and has established a Community Charitable Fund amounting to a minimum of $15 million in grants from the project to local communities during construction and the first 20 years of operations. With wearables such as the Apple Watch becoming the new must-have mobile technology for travelers, hotels need to “gear up” so that guests can “charge up” these devices. Next week at HX: The Hotel Experience, Kube Systems will showcase an innovative accessory for guestrooms and public spaces that enables Apple Watch wearing travelers to charge their devices and leave Magsafe charging cables at home. The new KS Arm™ with built‐in Magsafe charger will be available to hotels equipped with the KS Clock™ (in-room) and KS Portable™ (public spaces)