Hard Rock International Names Michael Shindler Executive Vice President of Hotels and Casinos

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Feb 01, 2010, 05:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock, one of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands, today announced that Michael Shindler has been named Executive Vice President, Hotels and Casinos, for Hard Rock International. As Executive Vice President, Shindler will oversee the global development function for hotel and casinos, as well as the strategic and day-to-day management of the existing assets within the brand's current licensed and franchised portfolio and any new assets derived from the growth of the portfolio.

Joining Hard Rock in mid-February, Shindler has been the president and CEO of Four Corners Advisors, Inc., a Chicago-based hotel consulting and advisory firm. Shindler brings almost 25 years of senior experience in the hospitality industry, including positions as Chair of the Board of Directors of Hyatt Gaming Management; Vice President, Development and Asset Management of Las Vegas Sands, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Development for Global Hyatt Corporation; Vice President of Development of RockResorts International, LLC; and Vice President of Development, Americas, for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Before his foray into the hospitality industry, Shindler began his career as an Associate, then a Partner in the Chicago, Illinois, law firm now known as Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.

The Hard Rock brand has successfully diversified into the Hotel and Casino segment over the last few years. Two of the most successful casinos in the United States, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, FL and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tampa, FL, are owned and operated by Hard Rock International's ownership group, the Seminole Tribe of Florida. These properties have recently been augmented by exciting new properties in Macau, Penang and Singapore, which all opened within the last eight months.

"We look forward to drawing on Michael's extensive network and experience in the hotel and gaming industry to promote continued growth of our brand," said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International, commenting on the appointment.

Shindler, a graduate of University of North Carolina with a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, is relocating from Chicago to Hard Rock International's global headquarters in Orlando with his wife Andrea.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 162 venues in 52 countries, including 130 cafes and 13 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 and 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 Atlanta, 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 and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.