Mar 24, 2025 | Employment, General News, Meetings and Conventions
Accomplished Sales Executive to Drive Mohegan Sun’s Comprehensive MICE Operations and Marketing Strategy
Kimberly Simone has been named by Mohegan Sun as the new VP of Sales & Marketing. Simone, who joined Mohegan Sun in 2023 as Director of Sales, brings nearly two decades of expertise in marketing and comprehensive sales within the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. In her new role, Simone will spearhead and oversee strategic initiatives for the expansive Earth Expo & Convention Center, the Sky Convention Center, and various other venues across Mohegan Sun and the nearby Mohegan Sun Golf Club.
“Kim Simone has demonstrated exceptional insight into market trends, and will now have a well-deserved promotion to VP as she oversees the impressive, large-scale and diverse sales and marketing strategy for Mohegan Sun’s Meetings & Conventions,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & GM of Mohegan Sun. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Executive team. Her leadership, expertise and dedication in delivering exceptional experiences for our meeting planners, major groups, and guests is a tremendous asset to Mohegan Sun.”
Since joining Mohegan Sun in September 2023, Simone has played a key role in driving growth to Mohegan Sun’s convention sales and property-wide hospitality. In her new role, Kim will continue to lead Mohegan Sun’s Convention Sales team, focusing on booking the world-class venues like the Earth Expo & Convention Center. This venue is home to the 125,000 square foot Earth Expo Center, which is set to host big-time shows this spring & summer such as the Wicked Gluten Free Expo on March 29th; the New England Tattoo Expo from April 11th – 13th; the New England Spring Craft Festival on May 10th – 11th; the CT Pickle Festival on July 25th and the return of TerrifiCon from August 8th-10th.
Simone is also a graduate of Bryant College in Smithfield, RI, and the Walt Disney World College Program in Orlando, Florda. She sat on the board for the CT River Valley chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) as the Vice President of Membership and the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Simone was also a member of the New York and New England chapters of PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and served as a member of the Greater New York Chapter of HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International). Simone also sits on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau Board of Directors. Previous conventions & sales experience include the Director of Sales at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook, CT as well as the Director of Resort Sales at Foxwoods Casino Resort from 2019 to 2021. Prior to this role, Simone was the National Sales Manager for the resort, strategically managing sales operations while tracking and analyzing data to strengthen forward-looking strategy.
In addition to Mohegan Sun’s two large-scale convention centers, various venues across the 5.5 million square-foot entertainment destination can host major conferences, private parties, meetings and conventions and that includes Mohegan Sun Arena, Comix Roadhouse, the Cabaret Theatre, TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge, novelle, Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook, Vista Lounge at Wombi Rock and unique outdoor event spaces like the new and improved Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun. For more information on all things Meetings & Conventions at Mohegan Sun, visit meetings.mohegansun.com
Kimberly Simone currently resides in Mystic, CT.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, 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 two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 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 X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Feb 22, 2024 | Employment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (February 22, 2024) – Mohegan Sun is pleased to welcome Kimberly Simone as the new Director of Sales. Simone brings over 16 years of experience across marketing, business operations and full-scale sales within meetings and conventions. As Director of Sales, she will guide the business operations of the conventions & expo sales team within Mohegan Sun’s robust Convention & Sales department, led by John Washko.
“Kim has shown an expertise of market trends, while leading high-level sales initiatives and cultivating strong relationships in the hospitality industry”, said John Washko, VP of sales & marketing at Mohegan Sun. “We’re excited to have her as our new Director of Sales, and appreciate her continued dedication to creating an extraordinary experience for our meetings planners, groups and guests of Mohegan Sun.”
Kimberly Simone is a graduate of Bryant College in Smithfield, RI, and the Walt Disney World College Program in Orlando, Florda. She sat on the board for the CT River Valley chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) as the Vice President of Membership and the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She also served as a member of the New York and New England chapters of PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and served as a member of the Greater New York Chapter of HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International). Previous conventions & sales experience includes operating as the Director of Sales at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook, CT, and Director of Sales for Sabo Construction and Coldwell Banker New Homes in Waltham, MA. Prior to her work with Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Simone had an ascending career at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT, most recently serving as Director of Resort Sales from 2019 to 2021. In this role, she secured major convention business, supported budget management and helped steer business development through the pandemic. Ahead of her time as Director of Resort Sales, Simone was the National Sales Manager for the resort, strategically managing sales operations while tracking and analyzing data to strengthen forward-looking strategy.
Kimberly Simone currently resides in Mystic, CT.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, 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 two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 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 X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
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May 4, 2023 | Entertainment, Food & Beverage, General News, Hot Summer Fun, Special Events
Festivities include a Summer Kick-Off party that unveils the Sun Patio Bar, and the return of popular outdoor summer concert series Party on the Sun Patio
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 4, 2023) – Summertime at Mohegan Sun is in full effect on the Sun Patio. The former Summer Entrance has been transformed into a 2,100 square-foot outdoor event space that is perfect for sunny days and warm summer nights. The star of the show is the elevated, 50 square-foot Sun Patio Bar, complete with six hi-definition screens (including two menu boards) and a full bar including six bartender stations. Regular hours for the Sun Patio Bar are Fridays from 5:00pm – 11:00pm, Saturdays from Noon – Midnight and Sundays from Noon – 9:00pm.
Those looking to be the first to party at the Sun Patio Bar can do so at the Summer Kick-Off on Saturday, May 27th. From 5:00pm – 8:00pm, delectable eats will be offered from Munchies, Bridge Market Pizza and Travelin’ Bones. Refreshing drink specials will also be available and electrifying live entertainment will be provided by local favorite band, Sugar. Complimentary fire pits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 100 guests to attend also receive a free drink, courtesy of Red Bull! Mohegan Sun’s Summer Kick-Off has free admission, and all guests must be 21+ with valid ID.
The Sun Patio is also the home of Mohegan Sun’s popular summer concert series, Party on the Sun Patio. Starting June 30th, and every Friday night through September 1st, the Sun Patio transforms into a breezy outdoor area where guests can dance the night away to live entertainment provided by local tribute bands. A rotating lineup of amazing food trucks will be offering tasty bites, and guests can quench their thirst with incredible cocktail and beverage specials. Make the night extra special with a VIP fire pit!
Party on the Sun Patio is a free event that takes place from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. Doors open at 6:30pm and the bands start rockin’ at 8:00pm. Featured bands* for Party on the Sun Patio are as follows:
June 30th: Chicken Fried, a tribute to Zac Brown Band
July 7th: Vegas McGraw & Tim McGraw Tribute, a tribute to Tim McGraw
July 14th: Simply Shania, a tribute to Shania Twain
July 21st: Big Eyed Phish, a tribute to Dave Matthews Band
July 28th: Captain Fantastic, a tribute to Elton John
Aug. 4th: Queen Flash, a tribute to Queen
Aug. 11th: Dumb As You Are, a tribute to Nirvana
Aug. 18th: No Shoes Nation, a tribute to Kenny Chesney
Aug. 25th: Tramps Like Us, a tribute to Bruce Springsteen
Sept. 1st: The Journey Show, a tribute to Journey
*Lineup subject to change
Guests must be 21+ with valid ID to attend Party on the Sun Patio. Fire pit reservations will open in June 2023. All fire pit reservations include a complimentary round of drinks for up to eight guests per reserved fire pit. Additional seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. Coolers and outside food/beverages are not permitted. In the event of inclement weather, bands performing at Party on the Sun Patio will be moved to the Wolf Den. Decisions will be announced by 2:00pm the day of the event.
While the Sun Patio is open to the public, private parties can be booked for up to 2,000 guests. The Sun Patio Bar is also available for booking private parties of up to 300 guests. The Sun Patio is in the process of a multi-phase renovation with phase two starting in fall 2023.
Stay tuned, Mohegan Sun is gearing up for a summer to remember and things are just warming up! For the latest details on events and promotions, visit mohegansun.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, 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 two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 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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Mar 19, 2021 | Community Relations, General News, Travel & Leisure, Uncategorized
UNCASVILLE, CT (March 19, 2021) – The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB) has named Mohegan Sun in their first group of honorees for their new Hospitality Heroes recognition list. The CTCSB is Connecticut’s only statewide meetings & sports event sales and marketing organization, and works with planners and promoters to book new or returning conventions, meetings and sports businesses. The new Hospitality Heroes recognition program highlights hospitality industry members for their innovative business initiatives and community support over the past year, despite potential financial and health challenges caused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re really excited to be named as one of CTCSB’s Hospitality Heroes”, said John Washko, VP of Exhibitions and Sales for Mohegan Sun. “Mohegan Sun as a whole, and certainly our Meetings & Conventions team, has put in a great deal of time, effort and dedication over the last year to make sure we’re able to chart a productive, positive and safe path forward for our guests, clients and partners. This honor is a strong reflection of that hard work, and we thank the CTCSB for this recognition and their great work for the state of Connecticut.”
According to the CTCSB, Mohegan Sun has been recognized as an early leader by demonstrating to the meetings and hospitality industries worldwide how to continue working safely and creatively during COVID via hybrid meetings and events. In November 2020, Mohegan Sun partnered with Northstar Meetings Group to present a special conference called “Reconvening for Recovery: Live!”. This hybrid event was dedicated to helping businesses navigate planning successful hybrid meetings, conferences and conventions, all while complying with industry health and safety protocols. Mohegan Sun was able to safely host 75 attendees in-person and over 1,000 attendees digitally who were fully integrated into the event.
The Meetings & Conventions team at Mohegan Sun created a COVID-19 resource center designed to assist planners in safely creating meetings, conventions and events. This resource center includes adjusted capacity charts, details on hosting hybrid events, and other information regarding health and safety protocols that Mohegan Sun has implemented to safely host events. Mohegan Sun also receives the Hospitality Heroes recognition from the CTCSB after successfully operating a mass vaccination clinic through a partnership with Yale New Haven Health in the Earth Expo & Convention Center.
Mohegan Sun reviews all health and safety protocols and regularly updates them to reflect the needs of the community, with the consideration of state and federal recommendations. A full list of Mohegan Sun’s guidelines can be found at mohegansun.com/updates.
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 two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 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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Nov 6, 2020 | General News, Special Events, Travel & Leisure, Uncategorized
Successful Hybrid Event Held at Mohegan Sun Paves the Way Forward for Live Conferences, Events, and Conventions During the “New Normal”
UNCASVILLE, CT (November 6, 2020) – Mohegan Sun and Northstar Meetings Group hosted its Reconvening for Recovery: Live! conference, a special event aimed at helping businesses navigate the new frontier of planning engaging, hybrid business meetings, conferences and conventions while adhering to the most current industry health and safety protocols. The hybrid event, held at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo & Convention Center, was the first-of-its-kind for the two brands and welcomed seventy-five in-person attendees, as well as over 1,000 digital attendees, who were fully integrated into the event.
As part of the exhibition, several educational seminars took place tailored to helping meeting planners learn how to bring back their events safely. Each of the sessions featured insight and first-hand experience from industry leaders, such as John Washko, Vice President of Expo & Convention Sales for Mohegan Sun, who discussed how meetings suppliers can help planners visualize and plan events safely and effectively; David Dubois, President and CEO of International Association of Exhibitions and Events, who touched on essential considerations for safely reopening exhibitions and events; Hope Holm, Regional Sales Director for PSAV, who demonstrated how to facilitate the new normal for hybrid events; Heather Hansen O’Neill, President of Find Your Fire, who discussed ways to move the industry forward; among many others.
“The goal of Reconvening for Recovery: Live was to inspire industry members on the bright future of business gatherings and conventions, and we believe we delivered a best-in-class roadmap for how to get there with the help of Northstar Meetings Group,” said John Washko, Mohegan Sun Vice President of Expo & Convention Sales. “As one of the world’s leading integrated entertainment resort destinations with best-in-class industry health and safety protocols, Mohegan Sun was the perfect venue to host the largest hybrid in-person and virtual event in Connecticut in recent months, safely showcasing a better experience for tomorrow’s guests, team members and convention attendees.”
In addition to the in-person panels, the event featured a virtual panel that consisted of four members of the Events Industry Council’s Covid-19 Business Recovery Task Force – including Amy Calvert, president and CEO of EIC; Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International; Allison Kinsley, founder of Kinsley Meetings; and Liz Warwick, vice president of meeting management and event strategy for Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the virtual panel, the task force members discussed the resources EIC is producing to provide best practices and guidance for live events.
“Reconvening for Recovery: Live was created to show business event planners how to alleviate risk by adhering to the most current meetings industry health and safety protocols and produce a hybrid in-person and digital event,” says, David Blansfield, Executive Vice President and Group Publisher of Northstar Meetings Group. “Meeting planners by nature like to see how things work and how they can apply their learnings to their next event. To do so, we set out to find the ideal venue to host these demonstrations, and Mohegan Sun checked all the boxes. The brand truly paved the way for the safety of future events through its enhanced cleaning measures, personal hygiene facilities, and enhanced air filtration systems that far exceeded our expectations, making it the perfect partner for this new venture.”
Following a day of captivating conversations regarding ways forward for the industry, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier addressed the live and virtual audience with a presentation focused on transformation, as well as a demonstration of the science experiment which attributed to her winning the crown. In addition to the on-stage presentations, Schrier presented two video vignettes, one from the perspective of Angela Cox, Northstar’s senior group director of meetings and events, and Mohegan Sun’s Dana Lambersky, CMP, CMM, director of convention services – both of whom planned Reconvening for Recovery: Live. The second focused on Schrier’s experience as an in-person meeting attendee in the era of COVID-19.
In-person attendance of the conference was limited to seventy-five planners and supplier representatives, all of whom had to be within driving distance of the venue and complied with Connecticut’s travel advisory pre-arrival testing protocols. Remote cameras broadcasted “behind-the-scenes” looks at how Mohegan Sun and its partners produced the event, demonstrating current live event best practices to the meeting’s digital audience.
To watch highlights from Northstar’s event at Mohegan Sun, check out: www.NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com/Events/Events-News/Meetings-Recovery-Resource-Center
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 two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 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.
ABOUT NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP:
Northstar Meetings Group is the leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the business meetings, events, sports and incentives market – including full- and part-time meeting planners, as well as corporate, association, sports and not-for-profit decision-makers, and incentive professionals, facilitating their professional development and achievement of business goals. The company’s influential brands – Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Association Meetings International, M&C Asia, Meetings & Incentive Travel, M&C China, Meeting News, Incentive and SportsTravel – currently serve over 350,000 active meeting and event planners and incentive professionals, across an integrated suite of data, digital, events and print products. For more information, please visit NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com.
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