James F. Allen to be honored at Casino Marketing & Technology Conference

(PRESS RELEASE) -- James F. "Jim" Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International, and Chief Executive Officer, Seminole Gaming, will be presented with the prestigious Casino Marketing & Technology Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th annual Casino Marketing & Technology Conference, July 12-14, at Paris Las Vegas. This unique senior-level conference addresses the full range of casino marketing challenges and includes a dedicated technology track. It features information sharing and networking unmatched by any other gaming industry marketing event.

Allen's illustrious career in commercial and tribal gaming spans more than three decades. He worked his way from the ground-up in Atlantic City to become a key executive at the Trump Organization in the 1980s. He subsequently held executive positions at a number of other leading casino firms, including Park Place Entertainment and Sun International, which operated Atlantis and Mohegan Sun. Since 2001, Allen has been responsible for gaming operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and, in 2007, he led the tribe's acquisition of Hard Rock International.

As Chairman of Hard Rock International, Allen oversees all operations of one of the most globally-recognized brands, known for rock music and its signature cafes, hotels, casinos, memorabilia and live concerts, with 205 venues in 64 countries, including 157 cafes, 23 hotels and 11 casinos.

"We are thrilled to present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to Jim Allen, not just for his many professional successes but his underlying work ethic, attention to detail and overall vision; a rare combination," said Randy Green, Group Publisher, BNP Media Gaming Group. "The growth of Seminole Gaming and the Hard Rock brand in our industry did not happen by accident. As a Class II tribal gaming operator in 2001, there were no shortage of technological and regulatory hurdles to clear in Florida, and the Hard Rock brand has been leveraged strategically and with great skill. Along the way, Jim has cultivated great relationships with Seminole tribal leadership, his employees and the customers they serve."

Allen, who will receive the award at a luncheon on Wednesday, July 13, joins a distinguished list of casino executive recipients who include Staci Columbo Alonso, Virginia McDowell, Lyle Berman, Ginny Shanks, Bill Harrah, and Phil Satre.

The award presentation is just one of the highlights of Casino Marketing & Technology Conference, which kicks off July 11 with Raving's Host Development Conference, a 1.5 day program focused on every aspect of player development, which leads into the opening night reception on Tuesday, July 12.

Casino Marketing & Technology Conference follows with two days of educational sessions, awards presentations, and two evening receptions. Featured speakers include Michael Perhaes, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Wind Creek Hospitality, and Randall Fine, Managing Director, The Fine Point Group. The conference also features the prestigious Romero Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Casino Marketing, which will be presented during a special breakfast ceremony on July 14. The winners of Casino Journal Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Products awards will also be announced on the 14th, prior to the afternoon keynote session.