James Cameron Joins Harrah's-Keppel Caesars Singapore Team
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James Cameron Joins Harrah's-Keppel Caesars Singapore Team
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Category: Asia Pacific - Careers -
Appointments
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2006-03-20
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) and Keppel Land raised the ante today in their bid for the integrated resort project at Marina Bay in Singapore, joining forces with Hollywood legend and Academy Award(R) winner James Cameron to create "iPort" -- an immersive indoor entertainment experience. This teaming represents an unparalleled convergence of Cameron's Hollywood creativity with Harrah's entertainment and customer-service expertise.
"iPort is something that is truly pathfinding, something that has never been done anywhere in the world," said Gary Loveman, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Harrah's Entertainment. "We believe this will be the gateway attraction for Asia."
iPort will be a key component of this entirely innovative resort project worthy of the famed Caesars brand -- "Caesars Singapore." The luxurious nature and iconic stature of this resort project demanded the use of the world-renowned Caesars name. Caesars Singapore will stand as the gateway to the consummate guest experience in Asia.
"This is art, architecture, cutting-edge technology and entertainment," said Cameron, who has been retained as executive producer of iPort. "This is a chance to push the envelope and do something that's never been done. Think of it not as a space, but as a total immersion experience."
iPort will be a 1 million-square-foot, 16-story state-of-the-art facility with dozens of major attractions, immersive rides and groundbreaking shows, along with dining and retail experiences that will be attractions unto themselves. The experience is expected to draw large numbers of visitors the first year of operation.
Describing the creative essence of iPort, Craig Hanna, chief creative officer of Thinkwell Design & Production, said, "This immersive entertainment experience will wow visitors with amazing environments, thrilling experiences and much more."
Although the iPort building will be 16 stories tall, it features only five levels inside -- the floor-to-ceiling space ranges from 30 to 40 feet per floor to maximize the immersive nature of the environments conceived. The main feature of iPort will be the center atrium, dubbed the "Media Canyon." The Media Canyon spans the full height of the 16-story building and features the world's largest video elements: two 140-foot "video cyclones" that go from floor to ceiling and are clad with high resolution LED, creating a continuously pulsing, moving video display that will astonish visitors.
Guests move up and down through iPort on a low-incline ramp system that winds its way through the building and can effortlessly access the different levels and various entertainment areas via "traveling pods" -- a cantilevered transportation system that extends from the base of the Media Canyon to the top of iPort.
"iPort, for me, is Christmas morning," Cameron said. "It's a chance to play with all of the toys."
Harrah's and Keppel have assembled a creative and cutting-edge talent lineup as they pursue this premier project in Asia. Previously announced players include: world-famous gallery Centre Pompidou; renowned architect Daniel Libeskind; Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc.'s AEG Live Division; convention promotion and management specialist SMG; Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre; retail giants Taubman Asia Ltd. and Gordon Group Holdings (Taubman/Gordon); and celebrated luxury-retail designer Peter Marino.
This combination of world-class talent will create a resort unlike any on Earth, experientially compelling for guests, helping to develop Singapore into a must-see international tourist destination.
Sandy Climan Entertainment Ventures provided counsel to Harrah's.
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.
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