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Hard Rock Asia CEO comes from Sands China

By Wei ZhangChina
2 min read
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe
In this article (5)

As Hard Rock International (HRI) ramps up expansion in Asia, it has a new CEO for the region, Edward Tracy, formerly CEO of Sands China.

Owned by the Seminole tribe of Florida, HRI has international hotel/casino locations including Bali, and has just opened the Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen in China. Other projects by Hard Rock Asia are slated for Dalian and Haikou, while upcoming Hard Rock Cafe locations include Chengdu and Phnom Penh.

Meanwhile, Tracy is working with Hard Rock Japan toward opening a signature integrated resort. The company will be bidding for a resort licence following the government passing an Integrated Resorts Promotion Bill. Hard Rock Cafe outlets have been in Japan for 30 years.

“As the former CEO of Sands China and CEO of the Trump Organization, Tracy brings more than 30 years of proven gaming, hospitality and integrated-resort experience to Hard Rock Asia,” says HRI chairman Jim Allen.

Tracy joined Sands China, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corp, in July 2010 as its president and COO, becoming CEO 12 months later. He was responsible for overseeing China’s largest integrated-resort company by revenue, capacity and content, with 13,000 hotel rooms and 30,000 team members. It develops, owns and runs integrated resorts and casinos in Macau.

Before Sands, Tracy was president/CEO of Capital Gaming, a multi-jurisdictional manager of regional casinos in the US, and also served as president/CEO of the Trump Organization, where he was responsible for managing more than 12,500 employees, 3000 luxury hotel rooms and 240,000sqft (22,300sqm) of casino space.

HRI has venues in 73 countries including 178 cafes, 24 hotels and 11 casinos. Starting with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns a collection of music memorabilia displayed at its global locations. It is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is Edward Tracy's previous experience that makes him suitable for this role?

A.

Edward Tracy was formerly CEO of Sands China, overseeing China’s largest integrated-resort company. He also served as president and CEO of the Trump Organization, managing hotels and casino space.

Q.

Which specific Asian countries are new Hard Rock projects planned for?

A.

Hard Rock Asia has projects slated for Dalian and Haikou in China. Also, upcoming Hard Rock Cafe locations include Chengdu and Phnom Penh, and a resort is planned for Japan.

Q.

What is the global scale of Hard Rock International's operations?

A.

Hard Rock International operates venues in 73 countries. This includes 178 cafes, 24 hotels, and 11 casinos globally. They are also known for their music memorabilia collection.

Q.

What is Hard Rock's strategy regarding Japan?

A.

Hard Rock Japan is working towards opening a signature integrated resort. The company intends to bid for a resort licence once the government's Integrated Resorts Promotion Bill has passed.

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