LAS VEGAS, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) and Cirque du Soleil®, two global
organizations long renowned for inspiring and engaging
entertainment, announced that they are joining forces in support of
the mission of ONE DROP, a global
non-governmental organization that promotes global awareness of the
central role of water, one of our most precious common goods,
essential to all life on Earth.
From March 20 to March 25, and in
recognition of WORLD WATER DAY on March
22, MGM Resorts and Cirque du Soleil will donate the
proceeds from ticket sales of performances of Cirque du
Soleil Las Vegas shows to help
further ONE DROP's mission.
Initiated by Guy Laliberte,
Founder of Cirque du Soleil, ONE
DROP is dedicated to fighting poverty worldwide through
projects aimed at supporting access to water and raising awareness
of water-related issues.
"At MGM Resorts, environmental sustainability is a key pillar of
our vision for social responsibility," said Jim Murren, the company's Chairman & CEO.
"We recognize that a comprehensive strategic approach to water
stewardship is fundamental to the continuing survival of life on
our planet. We also believe that access to safe water can
serve as the lifeblood for social and economic development. We
are honored to partner with Cirque du Soleil in support of
ONE DROP in this vital area," Murren
said.
Guy Laliberte, Founder of
Cirque du Soleil and Chair of ONE
DROP, said, "This incredible commitment from MGM Resorts
International, Cirque du Soleil's business partner of nearly
20 years in Las Vegas, truly
expresses one of the goals I had when I founded ONE DROP in 2007: creating a powerful ripple
effect of solidarity made up of companies, individuals and people
around the world. I am so grateful that MGM Resorts International
will not only support in an important financial manner, but also
shares our belief by raising awareness of this precious resource.
This bring us one drop closer to realizing the dream of ensuring
that safe water is accessible to all, today and tomorrow."
The United Nations WORLD WATER DAY is observed on March 22 to spotlight the importance of
freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater
resources.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's
leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless
portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM
Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company has significant
holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and
operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in four
other properties in Nevada,
Illinois and Macau. One of those investments is CityCenter,
an unprecedented resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip
featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Leveraging MGM
Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life loyalty program delivers
one-of-a-kind experiences, insider privileges and personalized
rewards for guests at the Company's renowned properties nationwide.
Through its hospitality management subsidiary the Company holds a
growing number of development and management agreements for casino
and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts
International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the
American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible
Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with
numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity
Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's
commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more
information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's
website at mgmresorts.com.
Statements in this release which are not historical facts are
"forward looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" under the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks
and/or uncertainties, including risks and/or uncertainties as
described in the company's public filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings
in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing
high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000
employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50
different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought
wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than
300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. For more
information about Cirque du Soleil, visit
cirquedusoleil.com.
About ONE DROP
ONE DROP--an initiative of
Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque
du Soleil--is a non-governmental organization established in
2007. ONE DROP fights poverty by
supporting access to water and raising individual and community
awareness of the need to mobilize so that safe water is accessible
to all, in sufficient quantity, today and tomorrow. With its
uniquely artistic approach, ONE DROP
educates and implements site-specific safe water solutions while
allocating microfinance loans to help ensure sustainable
development. Worldwide, ONE DROP's
ongoing creative projects also raise awareness about water-related
issues and encourage smarter water practices. To learn more, visit
ONEDROP.org.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International