Acting MGM CEO alludes to upcoming operational changes

April 30, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – Bill Hornbuckle, the acting CEO of MGM Resorts International, hinted the casino giant would be making changes in how it does business in a post-COVID-19 world in a video posted on his LinkedIn page.         

What those changes would be are not clear and MGM Springfield did not respond to an inquiry about them by press time.

Hornbuckle noted in the video that hundreds of MGM employees are coming to the company’s properties to maintain them. He urged them to practice social distancing.

He also explained there is now more than $12 million in a fund to assist MGM employees during this time. Payments from the fund began weeks ago to families in need, he reported.

Hornbuckle said, “Our industry will likely change in the foreseeable future so the decisions we are making today are about ensuring we have the resources not just to re-open but operate successfully in the long term until we recover. We will also be operating differently. What it will mean to provide good customer service will change from how often we clean to how to greet our guests could and would change. Our casino floors will look different and our restaurants will ultimately be impacted as well. This is a completely uncharted path, but we have to consider every aspect of our business so we can welcome our guests safely and keep each other safe while we do it. But we are resilient and I have every confidence that we are up to this challenge.

 “When this began I said I would look for a glimpse of hope and we are seeing some. States like California, Washington, and even New York are finally seeing positive results from the social distancing. It’s happening because people are making the choice to do their part in helping their fellow citizens and their communities.

“We are in the hospitality industry, caring for people is what we do. I know you’re doing your part for your neighbors, for your first responders, for essential workers and for every health worker on the front lines of this pandemic. These acts of kindness and compassion are what will get us through this. The most important of which, is please stay at home,” he concluded.

Hornbuckle urged people to stay at home and be safe.

MGM Springfield has been active in donating food to various local organizations and announced on April 24 it had donated more than 5,000 pounds of food, equivalent to about 4,100 meals, to the Open Pantry.

In a written statement, MGM Springfield President & COO Chris Kelley said, “Our local food pantries have seen an increase in need due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. MGM Springfield remains focused on supporting our community and working to alleviate food insecurity.”

Last month, MGM Springfield donated 12,000 pounds, equivalent to 10,000 meals, to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Friends of the Homeless, Open Pantry and Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLK Food Pantry).

Share this: