May 30, 2018 | Breaking News, Employment, General News, Special Events, Travel & Leisure
Connecticut’s Premier Resort Destination Introduces the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun and Prepares for the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction Coming up in June
Uncasville, CT. (May 30, 2018) – Mohegan Sun celebrated today the grand opening of the Earth Expo & Convention Center, the property’s $80 million-dollar expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Wednesday, May 30th. The state-of-the-art Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun is already making a name for itself as it makes Mohegan Sun home to one of the largest and most attractive exposition sites in the Northeast, with over 275,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. It is located next to the property’s Winter Parking Garage, adjacent to the Earth Tower guest rooms. The first major event held in Mohegan Sun’s Expo & Convention Center will be the third annual Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction of collector cars from June 20th-23rd, 2018.
“We are honored to have you all with us and are excited to be here today to celebrate the grand opening of the new Earth Expo & Convention Center. While we have hosted many openings in our 22-year history, today’s is equally, if not more important, as it symbolizes our commitment and dedication to our flagship property, our employees, Southeastern Connecticut and the state as a whole. –Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Kevin Brown “Red Eagle.”
Featuring 15 meeting rooms including an Executive Boardroom and world-class service, technology and amenities, the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun provides the perfect venue for corporate and association trade shows. The full expansion accounts for 250,000 total square-feet, which includes the 125,000 square foot column free Earth Expo Center and 20,000 square foot Earth Ballroom, both of which feature ample pre-function space right outside their doors.
Starting with Barrett-Jackson on June 20th-23rd, 2018, the Earth Expo & Convention Center has established future long-term partnerships with United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), the National Association of Postal Supervisors and the Connecticut Marine Trades Association, with plans to expand to more consumer geared shows and niche industry events.
Now boasting as the Northeast’s premiere destination for exposition and meeting facilities, the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun offers a convenient location between New York City and Boston, with efficient, hassle-free accessibility from anywhere within New England and surrounding metropolitan cities. Easily reachable by toll-free interstate driving, the Earth Expo & Convention Center is just over an hour from both T.F. Green and Bradley airports with transportation by Mohegan Sun’s shuttle service and only 20 minutes from the New London Amtrak station by way of car service, taxi or Uber.
“The Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun delivers our promise to provide guests with exceptional service, immersive entertainment and flawless event execution from start to finish,” added Ray Pineault, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “From gaming and concerts to corporate meetings and massive trade shows, our priority is to enhance guest experiences and add value with every visit, creating a lifetime of memories while solidifying customer retention for years to come.”
Earth Expo at Mohegan Sun is a column-free structure offering flexible programming within a long stretching space that also features natural light. The floor-to-ceiling windows and doors lead visitors to an outdoor patio which provides added gathering space in warm weather. Interior finishes on the Earth Expo & Convention Center offer a nod to the Mohegan Tribe’s cultural history, with custom carpeting and light fixtures that reflect Native American motifs, the nearby Thames River and the color palettes of the Earth and Sky Towers. In addition to being nearby Mohegan Sun’s hotel towers, Earth Expo & Convention Center is a short distance from Mohegan Sun’s Sky Convention Center, which is home to the 38,000 square-foot Uncas Ballroom.
Additional highlights of the new Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun include:
- 20,000 square-foot Ballroom, divisible into two and featuring over 3,000 square feet of pre-function space
- Free parking, eight bay loading dock from an open parking field and additional drive in access from two, grade-level drive-in doors
- 15 meeting rooms total, ranging from 360 square-feet to 675 square feet
- A 1,263 square-foot Executive Boardroom with 230 square feet of pre-function space and a private outdoor terrace
- 3,500 square feet of outdoor space including a large wrap-around terrace
- A 5,360 square foot kitchen
- State-of-the-art technology with cutting edge audio & visual capabilities, digital and free wi-fi
As part of the opening of the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun, prospective clients can visit MoheganSun.com/Meetings for more information on the expo and meeting facilities and exceptional resort surroundings. In addition to details on new Earth Expo & Convention Center and the existing Sky Convention Center & Meeting Spaces, the renewed online convention sales website features fact sheets, property videos and floor plans, testimonials and awards, an overview of the resort and convenient travel recommendations.
“Our striking new Earth Expo & Convention Center cements Mohegan Sun as New England’s premier destination for conventions, meetings and corporate events, and further solidifies ourselves as the leading, most all-encompassing resort in the region,” said John Washko, Vice President of Exposition and Convention Sales at Mohegan Sun, “The large size and scope of the new exposition center expands Mohegan Sun’s trade show offerings with increased capacity for guests and with that, we look forward to welcoming thousands of guests during the four-day Barrett-Jackson car auction this month.”
Experiences Beyond the Earth Expo & Convention Center
For conferences and events of epic proportions, Mohegan Sun is also home to the Sky Convention Center featuring a 38,000 square-foot Uncas Ballroom, 14,000 square feet of pre-function space and 30 flexible and strikingly-designed individual meeting rooms, accommodating up to 5,300 people. The convention space includes an impressive Executive Boardroom, which offers 10-foot-ceilings, drop-down LCD projectors and screens with high-speed Internet access and individual lighting controls – perfect for satisfying the meeting needs on virtually any scale.
In total, Mohegan Sun’s meetings & conventions space now encompasses Earth Expo, two ballrooms and 45 meeting & breakout rooms, all accounting for 275,000 square-feet.
In addition to featuring the premier convention destination in the Northeast, Mohegan Sun’s commitment to continuously provide new and exciting offerings that exceed guests’ expectations has translated into 1,600 hotel rooms in the Sky and Earth Towers, 45 diverse culinary options, more than 35 retail shops, three night clubs, two Mandara Spa locations, the award-winning 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, a 400-seat Cabaret Theater, the 350-seat Wolf Den music venue, the 260-seat COMIX Comedy Club, a 18-hole championship Mohegan Sun Golf Club, and of course, world-class gaming with three casinos under one roof. To learn more and plan a visit to Mohegan Sun, visit MoheganSun.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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Mar 8, 2018 | Employment, Gaming, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (March 8, 2018) – Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, CT and one of the largest entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States, recently named Narragansett Tribal Member, Randy Noka, as VP of New Markets. Noka has been a vital team member of Mohegan Sun for 13 years, and now leads a dedicated group focused on expanding Mohegan Sun’s high-end network casino clientele business and maintaining long term guest loyalty.
“Randy has been a very passionate, very experienced and hard working part of our team here at our flagship property in Connecticut, with many years of dedicated experience in driving business and providing exceptional guest service. We’re thrilled to see him elevated to the leadership team within New Markets. Mohegan Sun takes great pride in Native American success within the organization too, and this promotion was certainly well deserved.” – President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun, Ray Pineault.
Randy Noka joined Mohegan Sun in 2005, taking on an Executive Host position and soon thereafter, he was promoted to Director of New Markets where strong customer relationships and building new ones were integral. His background also includes marketing, conservation work and law enforcement, dating back to the early 90s.
Noka has been an elected Councilman for the Narragansett Indian Tribe and has been since 1996. He has previously also served in the capacities of First Councilman and Ambassador for the Narragansett and he has been an officer for the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. and the National Congress of American Indians.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
Dec 21, 2017 | Breaking News, Employment, Food & Beverage, General News
Set to open in mid-2018, The Mohegan Sun Expo Center Signs On A Multi-Year Boat Show
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 21, 2017) – It was announced today from The Cabaret Theatre inside Mohegan Sun, that the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) signed the first year’s contract of a three year agreement with Mohegan Sun, to host their annual boat show in the all-new Expo Center, which is approaching its final stages of construction at the resort located in scenic, Mystic Country CT. CMTA’s first show at Mohegan Sun will be January of 2019.
With Mohegan Sun’s major convention space expansion, totaling 250,000 square-feet and to include within that, a 125,000 square-foot Expo Center, 20,000 square-foot Earth Ballroom, 15 meeting rooms and 20,000 square-feet earmarked for new dining or entertainment space, CMTA joins Barrett-Jackson & United Natural Foods as partners already planning shows in The Mohegan Sun Expo Center. The expansion is on schedule, with an open date expected for summer 2018.
The Connecticut Marine Trades Association’s trade show is set to begin in January of 2019, and this event will be CMTA’s 50th annual boat show. CMTA Chairman, Ron Helbig, CMTA Executive Director, Kathleen Burns and CMTA Dir. & Show Committee Chair, Phil Gaudreau, among many others, all celebrated the signing along with Mohegan Sun leaders on the morning of December 21st, which included Mohegan Tribal Chairman, Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, Assistant General Manager of Mohegan Sun, Jeff Hamilton, VP of Expo & Convention Sales of Mohegan Sun, John Washko.
For more information on Mohegan Sun’s meetings & conventions and the new Expo Center, visit: mohegansun.com/meetings
About Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA): The CMTA is a not-for-profit trade association representing boating and related marine industries throughout Connecticut, from the Long Island Sound to the state’s rivers and lakes. Founded in 1954, the CMTA has over 330 member businesses and is dedicated to the well-being of the industry by promoting the interests of recreational boating, improving industry condition, monitoring legislative and regulatory issues, and advancing boating education throughout the state. In 2018, the 49th CMTA produced Hartford Boat Show will be held February 8-11, 2018 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. www.ctmarinetrades.org or www.hartfordboatshow.com.
About Mohegan Sun: Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Sep 13, 2017 | Community Relations, Employment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (September 13, 2017) – 
After an extensive worldwide review, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), operators of Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, manager of multiple properties throughout the United States, and developer of the Inspire Integrated Resort in South Korea, today announced the appointment of Mario Kontomerkos to Chief Executive Officer of MGE effective October 16. In this new role, Kontomerkos will oversee all day-to-day operations for MGE, including ongoing brand growth and continuing to ensure MGE delivers unmatched personalized services and memorable guest experiences. Kontomerkos has served as the Chief Financial Officer for MGE since September 2011.
“Having served as a Senior Executive for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment for nearly six years, Mario has, in his role as Chief Financial Officer, actively supported Mohegan’s development of new opportunities in the United States and abroad,” said Kevin Brown “Red Eagle”, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe and MGE Management Board. “Mario’s knowledge and experience has kept us disciplined in our financial approach, competitive in the gaming and entertainment industry, and always cognizant of a business and management approach aligned with our Tribal Culture and the Mohegan Way. We trust he will only further build MGE as a compelling, all-encompassing brand – solidifying MGE as an industry leader in integrated resort experiences around the world.”
“Due to the incredible efforts of a very talented, dedicated, and special group of people here at MGE, we have over the last five years quietly been part of an amazing turnaround story in our industry,” said Mario Kontomerkos, Chief Executive Officer of MGE. “I am grateful to the Mohegan Tribe and the MGE team members for the opportunity to lead MGE into our next phase of growth.”
Prior to his work with MGE, Kontomerkos’s career path evolved through various key financial, research and analytical roles with companies like Penn National Gaming, Magnetar Capital LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities, Lehman Brothers and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Kontomerkos’ experience also includes service as a consultant for TPG Capital LLC on the acquisition of Harrah’s Entertainment, the largest leveraged buyout in the history of the gaming industry.
Aug 23, 2017 | Employment, Entertainment
Mohegan Sun set for December 9th; Tickets available this Friday, August 25th
UNCASVILLE, CT (August 23, 2017) – Three-time Grammy Award-winning and multiplatinum selling artists Pentatonix have announced A Pentatonix Christmas Tour, which kicks off in Chicago on December 3rd with three nights at The Chicago Theatre and concludes just before Christmas with three shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre. The concerts will be the group’s first to feature songs from their three hugely successful holiday albums. A Pentatonix Christmas Tour comes to Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, December 9th at 7:00pm.
Tickets are $65.00 and $45.00 and go on sale Friday, August 25th at 10:00am through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to Ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning on Saturday, August 26th, subject to availability.
To coincide with the tour, Pentatonix has also announced a deluxe version of 2016’s platinum-selling, chart-topping album – A Pentatonix Christmas. A Pentatonix Christmas Deluxe will be released on October 20th via RCA Records and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
Additionally, Pentatonix has announced that they will return to NBC with a brand new holiday special featuring live performances from the group and so much more. Last year’s A Pentatonix Christmas Special drew more than 10 million viewers across two airings on the network. An airdate for the special will be announced at a later date.
In just six years, Pentatonix has sold more than 6.4 million albums (in total consumption) in the U.S. alone. They have won three Grammy Awards, received a Daytime Emmy nomination and performed for hundreds of thousands of fans at their sold-out shows across the globe. Their YouTube channel boasts more than 13.5 million subscribers, yielding over 2.6 billion video views and their 2015 self-titled album has been certified gold after debuting #1 on Billboard’s 200.
Additionally, seven of their albums reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s 200 chart (2 at #1) and received multiple RIAA certifications for multi-platinum, platinum and gold selling albums and singles. In 2015, the group released its first tour documentary – On My Way Home – and appeared in the feature film Pitch Perfect 2.
Earlier this year, the group released PTX Vol. 4 – Classics which features their Grammy Award-winning performance of “Jolene” with Dolly Parton, as well as an arrangement of the John Lennon classic “Imagine.”
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Mohegan Sun Arena was also ranked among the top 10 arena venues in the nation for 2014, regardless of size. In 2015, Mohegan Sun took home the IEBA award for “Casino of the Year.” Mohegan Sun also won “Casino of the Year” in 2 categories at the 2013 & 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Jul 19, 2017 | Employment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (July 18, 2017) – Mohegan Sun is excited to announce the hiring of John Washko as Vice President of Exhibitions & Conventions Sales. Washko has held previous executive level roles with Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Washko will be heavily involved with the sales and direction of the Mohegan Sun Expo Center, currently being built near the Earth Tower at Mohegan Sun.
“We’re very thrilled to have John Washko on board here at Mohegan Sun, especially with the property expanding. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership to our meetings and conventions team, which is already one of the best in the industry.” –Ray Pineault, President and General Manager of Mohegan Sun.
Washko has also held important roles in sales, marketing, group sales and hospitality in his 20+ year career in the resort industry. In addition to his previous roles with Atlantis and The Broadmoor, Washko was VP of Sales and Marketing for Elite Meetings International.
In his new role as VP of Exhibitions & Conventions Sales, Washko will oversee the meetings & conventions division at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, which will include in large part, heading the sales and direction for the new 132,000 square-foot Mohegan Sun Expo Center, slated for a Summer 2018 opening.
Washko, a James Madison University graduate, has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing in 2015 by HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International) and in 2010 was awarded “Marketer of the Year” from HSMAI as well. Washko is an Executive Committee Member of HSMAI’s America’s Board. He also sits on the Advisory Board for Elite Meetings International.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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