MGM Resorts International Achieves Ranking to Prominent List of 'Best Companies for Diversity' for Ninth Year

MGM Resorts is the only gaming company, and the only company in Nevada, to be named

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Oct 20, 2015, 07:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the ninth year, Black Enterprise (BE) magazine has named MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the "Best Companies for Diversity" in the U.S. based on its diversity and inclusion practices. MGM Resorts is the only company in the integrated resort industry, and the only company based in Nevada, to be named to the magazine's list.

The 40 companies featured in the publication's special report demonstrate a commitment to diversity in one or more of four key areas, including: Board of Directors mix, employee diversity, senior management mix and supplier diversity. Of those 40 companies, MGM Resorts was among the few that demonstrated significant strengths in the four areas surveyed, according to BE.

"At MGM Resorts, we recognize diversity as the central paradigm of our 21^st century global economy and inclusion therefore as a business imperative. We have made inclusion an anchor of our culture and our operations in order to leverage our broad diversity as a vital part of our long-term competitive strength," said Phyllis A. James, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for MGM Resorts International.

This year's Best Companies for Diversity honorees were recognized at the Executive Leadership Council's 2015 Recognition Gala on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Among the other well-known companies named to the "40 Best" list are: IBM Corporation, American Express Co., Aflac Inc., The Coca Cola Company and Allstate Corporation.

In compiling this year's list, the BE research team sent surveys to more than 1,000 of the largest publicly traded companies and global companies with significant U.S. operations. The questionnaire focused on activities related to the participation of African Americans and members of other defined ethnic minority groups in the culture and business of participating companies. The complete report, including methodology and selection criteria, is available in the September 2015 issue of BE.

In 2000, MGM Resorts International became the gaming industry's first company to implement a diversity initiative. Some of the program's highlights include:

Management ranks among MGM Resorts' 62,000 employees include about 42 percent women, and 38 percent minorities.
MGM Resorts advanced its efforts in supplier and construction diversity in 2014 by spending $189.5 million with diverse-owned suppliers, contractors and service providers.
In 2014, MGM Resorts earned top accolades for its diversity best practices from national benchmarks, including: DiversityInc Magazine, Human Resources Officers Today, Women's Business Enterprise National Council and Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility.

For more information about MGM Resorts International's commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit: www.mgmresorts.com/csr.

About Black Enterprise
BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 6 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. As multimedia company, BLACK ENTERPRISE produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, web content and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features Aria resort and casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International