LAS VEGAS, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) marked WORLD WATER DAY with a pledge of
$1 million to support the
mission of ONE DROP, a global
non-governmental organization that promotes global awareness of the
central role of water. ONE DROP was
initiated by Guy Laliberte, Founder
of Cirque du Soleil, and is dedicated to fighting poverty
through projects aimed at supporting access to water, and raising
awareness of water-related issues.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120323/LA75458)
"At MGM Resorts, environmental sustainability is a key pillar of
our vision for social responsibility," said Jim Murren, the company's Chairman & CEO.
"We are proud to be a leader in the stewardship of water and the
environment in the communities in which we operate, and to join
with ONE DROP in developing programs
locally and globally that promote a comprehensive and strategic
approach to water stewardship," Murren said.
Murren said the pledge would be made over five years and is in
addition to the donation of ticket proceeds of Las Vegas-based Cirque du Soleil shows
during "One Week for ONE DROP" in
the week that coincides with WORLD WATER DAY.
"Today, MGM joins us to act in order to achieve my dream of safe
water for all, today and tomorrow. Employees, artists, partners,
and friends all come together this week and all year long to
support ONE DROP and to act to
protect water, one of the most precious resource on Earth," said
Guy Laliberte, who also serves as
President of ONE DROP. "I am touched
to see that we can create a ripple effect. ONE DROP will continue to hold out a hand to the
whole world to make this dream a reality, one drop at a time, one
step at a time, for future generations," Laliberte added.
The United Nations WORLD WATER DAY is observed on March 22 to spotlight the importance of
freshwater and the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
In addition, a senior MGM Resorts leader will become a member of
the Board of Directors of ONE DROP
to help guide the organization's work.
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; Cirque du Soleil; ONE DROP