Hard Rock International has entered into a new partnership with Bristol Resort & Casino to create Hard Rock Casino Bristol, pending approval from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the city’s residents.
The operator, which claims to have extensive experience of making projects an integral part of the local community, aims to make the property a major draw for visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. “With the resort as a gateway to the region, the partners will use their resources to introduce visitors to the many other wonderful tourism, cultural and recreational opportunities available in the Tri-Cities and across Southwest Virginia,” it said.
Jim Allen, Chairman and CEO, Hard Rock International, commented: “We’re excited to bring our legendary Hard Rock brand of hospitality and entertainment to Bristol, the birthplace of country music, just as we have done in other locations all around the world. As a brand, we serve more than 120 million guests a year across 75 countries and we are committed to becoming an integral part of the community and driver of jobs and visitation.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Hard Rock, a well-respected and legendary entertainment brand with legions of devoted customers across the country and around the world,” said Jim McGlothlin, CEO of The United Company and partner on the project.
“Hard Rock is known for its 31 award winning hotels and 12 casinos, in addition to 218 cafes and Rock Shops which offer a wide range of amenities that appeal to many different audiences. Hard Rock’s iconic brand speaks to its deep roots in live music entertainment and world-class memorabilia collection, which will play a prominent role at Hard Rock Casino Bristol. This focus on music will complement our region’s country music heritage and dynamic music scene in the Twin City.”
He added: “After vetting multiple leaders in the industry, we are convinced that Hard Rock is the best fit for our project and our community. The Hard Rock team understands the significant economic development impact the Hard Rock Casino Bristol will have on the city and the entire surrounding region, in terms of new jobs and additional tax revenue. As seasoned casino resort operators, they are committed to working closely with us to maximize the benefits of this project for local residents while highlighting the many opportunities this region has to offer to all.”