Hard Rock International Names Nelson Parker Head of Development, Americas for Hotels & Casinos

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Jun 23, 2010, 12:01 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International, one of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands, announced that Nelson Parker has been named Head of Development, Americas for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos. In an effort to grow Hard Rock's portfolio, Parker will handle the development function in the Americas for Hotels & Casinos, which includes identifying potential locations and franchise, management and equity partners, as well as planning and executing development initiatives for the proposed properties. In this role, he will report to Michael Shindler, Executive Vice President of Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos.

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Parker brings with him a 12-year track record of achievement in leading and contributing to the strategic growth, diversification and profitability of publicly and privately held organizations within gaming, hospitality and private equity. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Development for Foxwoods Development Company where he was responsible for leading Commercial and Native American resort casino development activities. Prior to joining Foxwoods, Parker was the Corporate Director of Development for Argosy Gaming Company where he played a lead role in identifying and evaluating domestic and international strategic growth opportunities. Additionally, Parker held senior positions in development for several Midwestern private equity and leveraged buyout firms.

Parker joins Hard Rock International's Hotels & Casinos segment, which includes 14 hotels/casinos worldwide, including two of the most successful casinos in the United States, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa, FL. Additionally, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos has expanded to include exciting new properties in Macau, Penang and Singapore, which have all opened in the past year.

"Nelson brings extensive gaming and hospitality development and transactions experience and will greatly impact our efforts to seize new opportunities in the future," said Shindler. "He is an ideal fit for the Hotels & Casinos brand. His knowledge and experience complement our current staff – we welcome Nelson and look forward to the valuable role he will fill at Hard Rock."

Parker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Transylvania University in Lexington, K.Y.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 165 venues in 52 countries, including 132 cafes and 14 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang and Singapore. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Punta Cana, scheduled to open in 2010; Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.