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01.18 BRAND BALLER Landry’s Tilman J. Fertitta

Spotlight: Monica Graves Chief dharma instigator on a wellness mission Dream Drive-To’s Four locales get groups revved for the road The Cutting-Edge CC Trendsetters of the convention world Mastering the Multigenerational Mix Resorts satisfy groups of all ages and tastes FERTITTA ENTERTAINMENT FERTITTA

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CV1_MT_0118_Cover.indd 1 12/12/17 1:32 PM BRAND BALLER Landry’s Tilman J. Fertitta

BY TYLER DAVIDSON

ew individuals have impacted the hospitality and entertainment industries in recent years as much F as Tilman J. Fertitta, a Galveston, , native who as sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment presides over an empire that includes Landry’s restaurants, hotel and casino holdings, an NBA franchise and even a starring role in a reality television show.

Thus, one could argue that even the terms est Cafe, McCormick & Schmick’s hospitality and entertainment are one in and Joe’s Crab Shack, to the same in his brand kingdom, as Fertitta’s upscale eateries in the Signa- labels all cater to the customer through the ture Group like Morton’s The prism of providing entertaining experiences Steakhouse, Vic & Anthony's that deliver a specific, tangible impression, Steakhouse, Grotto and The no matter what segment they serve. Oceanaire. Landry’s restaurants cater to all tastes From Golden Nugget Casinos and price points and include many popular and Hotels and Galveston, Texas’ San group dining options in major convention Luis Resort to the ultra-luxe The Post Oak center entertainment districts, from casual Hotel at Uptown offering set to themed restaurants such as Bubba Gump open in March (see sidebar on page 58), a Shrimp Company, , Rainfor- variety of hotel, resort and gaming custom-

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14_MT_0118_Tilman_Fertitta.indd 14 12/8/17 2:51 PM Brands-TACULAR! he holdings of Tilman J. Fertitta’s hospi- ers are satiated. tality and entertainment empire are vast. With other recent moves that have included TIf you or your group hasn’t experienced the purchase of the for an NBA at least one, if not many, of these companies, franchise record $2.2 billion and the starring you really should think about getting out more often. role in CNBC reality TV show Billion Dollar ❚ Fertitta Entertainment Buyer—which just entered into its third season ❚ Landry’s restaurants of production and gives entrepreneur contes- ❚ Golden Nugget Casinos and Hotels tants the opportunity to pitch Fertitta ❚ Houston Rockets NBA franchise on investing in their products—his businesses reach into the disposable Landry’s income of every segment of society This restaurant and hospitality company owns and are perpetually in growth mode more than 600 properties in 36 states and through acquisitions and innovation. more than 15 countries, and is one of the Fertitta began his rise in the real estate largest employers in the U.S., with more than 60,000 employees. development business, opening The Signature Group includes the following his first hotel when he was 26 premier concepts: years old, and then became a ❚ Mastro’s Steakhouse and Ocean Club partner in Landry’s, eventually ❚ Morton’s The Steakhouse buying out the Landry brothers ❚ The Oceanaire in 1986 and embarking on a ❚ Vic & Anthony’s restaurant-opening spree. Follow- ❚ Brenner’s Steakhouse ing the economic collapse of 2008, ❚ Grotto Fertitta decided it was an ideal time to ❚ Atlantic Grill up his game. ❚ La Griglia ❚ Willie G’s “When the world fell Plus 8 more apart in 2010, it gave me the opportunity to go pri- Its multi-unit restaurant brands include: vate again,” he said, adding ❚ Chart House that his company will ❚ Landry’s Seafood House do more than $4 ❚ Rainforest Cafe billion in revenue ❚ Saltgrass Steak House in 2017. ❚ Bubba Gump Shrimp Company His Landry’s ❚ Claim Jumper operation alone ❚ Mitchell’s Fish Market ❚ Dos Caminos owns more than ❚ Bill’s Bar & Burger 600 properties ❚ Joe’s Crab Shack in 36 states and ❚ McCormick & Schmick’s 15 countries at last ❚ 50% of Catch (in Los Angeles and New York) count, and is one of Plus 27 more the largest employers in the U.S., with more than 60,000 on the payroll. Forbes Gaming and Hospitality recently estimated Fertitta’s net worth at $3.6 billion, landing ❚ Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel brand him the #212 spot on the Forbes 400, with the publication calling (Five locations: Las Vegas and Laughlin, him “The world’s richest restaurateur.” Nev.; Atlantic City; Biloxi, Miss.; and Lake Charles, La. Not bad for s self-made man who dropped out of both Texas Tech ❚ GoldenNuggetCasino.com and the but now chairs the latter universi- ❚ San Luis Resort (Houston-Galveston area) ty’s board of regents as well as serving on the boards of the Hous- ❚ The Westin Houston Downtown ton Museum of Fine Arts and the Texas Heart Institute. ❚ The Post Oak Hotel at “Some people are good multitaskers—that’s something (opening in early 2018) that’s a gift,” Fertitta said, in more than a bit of an understate- Plus 4 more ment. “I’ve had a lot of people with me for many years, which helps tremendously.” Entertainment Destinations Besides what one could interpret as a bit of Texas-size brand- ❚ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier ing bluster when watching him on Billion Dollar Buyer—in one ❚ The ❚ CNBC promotional spot he actually described himself as being, Downtown Aquarium in Denver and Houston ❚ Tower of The Americas in San Antonio to paraphrase, a "mother f-er,"—during a recent interview ❚ Boardwalk Fantasea Yacht Charters with Meetings Today, Fertitta was quite the reserved, mannered gentleman, giving the credit to his team, which extends to and is Sports nurtured by his management philosophy. ❚ Houston Rockets (NBA) “If you look at the people who work for me, that answer to me directly, they probably average over 20 years,” he said. “I think what Television ❚ Billion Dollar Buyer (CNBC)

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14_MT_0118_Tilman_Fertitta.indd 15 12/8/17 2:51 PM Towering OAK people like is there’s not a lot he Post Oak at Uptown of games, and I tell them what Houston is the newest I want and where they can im- Tmember of Tilman J. Fertit- prove. I think people respect you ta’s hospitality and entertainment as a leader if you shoot straight FERTITTA AND CARLOS CORREA, HOUSTON ASTROS family, and it’s one Golden Child. WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS THIRD BASEMAN Set to open in spring 2018, and you take care of them.” the 250-room luxe hotel is part The bluster, such as in the a modest Fertitta said, rec- of a Gensler-designed mixed- aforementioned CNBC promo, ognizing the responsibility of use project near Houston’s tony is all part of elevating the brand. those who have amassed great Uptown and Galleria areas set on “That’s drama,” he said, with wealth to give back. “We’re 10 acres that also includes office, a telling laugh that seemed to all in very visible business… residential and restaurant spaces. The development is also near Fertitta convey a little bit of blush about they’re just different organi- Entertainment’s corporate headquarters, which allows for the hands-on having crossed the line a bit in zations that I’ve always been touch when it comes to planning and monitoring the construction. the spot promoting the show involved with.” The suite offering will include a 5,000-square-foot Presidential Suite and the larger-than-life persona But as nice as it is to be nice, and 4,000-square-foot, two-bedroom chairman suites with private elevator access and all the latest high-tech he exudes on it. “I have brands and as any professional bas- amenities. Restaurant experiences that are all over the country. ketball player would attest, the will include the first Texas Mastro’s It’s another way my brand is competition is always hot on Steakhouse and a Willie G’s Seafood exposed. It doesn’t look like an your heels, and the dynamics of & Steaks. Other highlights will include infomercial—it’s definitely not the game are always changing, a spa, salon and designer retail and an infomercial. It gets me out to so letting up is not an option. boutique office space. see what’s new out there. It’s as “Stay on top of your game,” For meetings, a 16,000-square-foot much educational for me as it is he said. “There are no spare ballroom—the largest in the Uptown mentoring for them.” customers. Treat every custom- area—and conference center, offering Another side of Fertitta is his er like they’re your last.” a total of 35,000 square feet, will be adjacent to the tower. Two large philanthropic endeavors, in- That philosophy also extends prefunction areas and a second-level, cluding serving as chairman of to those in the business of plan- the board of both the Houston ning meetings and events. 3,000-square-foot ballroom and Children’s Charity and Houston "I think that you always try to 10,000 square feet of conference Police Foundation, and his work be innovative, especially when and breakout space will round on the executive committee you’re dealing with meeting out the meeting facilities. of one of the largest charitable planners,” he said. “You want And when it comes to ul- organizations in the U.S., the to roll out the red carpet and tra-luxe, nothing says exclusive Houston Livestock Show and treat them better than every- like the two-story Rolls-Royce Rodeo. He also recently kicked one else. Anyone who does not showroom and Bentley and Bugatti showroom on-site at Post in $1 million to victims of know how to treat a meeting Oak Motor Cars, which will be on Hurricane Harvey through the planner is pretty stupid. What display from one of the prefunc- Landry’s Hurricane Relief Fund. we preach here is make your tion areas. “It’s just kind of the way it is,” meeting planner look good.” m The development will also boast an open plaza that features outdoor dining and pedestrian areas. Fitting with the name, Fertitta is said to have spent more than $1 million to transplant mature oak trees, along with preserving the existing oaks. For more information, access www.thepostoak.com. —Tyler Davidson

FERTITTA AND GEORGE SPRINGER, HOUSTON ASTROS WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS OUTFIELDER

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14_MT_0118_Tilman_Fertitta.indd 16 12/18/17 3:27 PM trending PUERTO RICO UPGRADES REBOUND eet Puerto Rico, the destination mar- OPENINGS keting organization (DMO) responsible + Mfor attracting meetings, conventions, NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT in March. The Inn will allow all meeting attendees to tradeshows, sporting events and incentive groups convene within the same building as well as expand its to Puerto Rico, launched the “Check Off Your meeting offerings to larger groups. The Georgian Hall will Bucket List” promotion with one message—Puer- add more than 9,000 square feet of indoor space, bring- to Rico’s meetings industry is here, despite recent ing the resort’s total amount of meeting space to 16,000 hardship—from the convention center to member square feet of indoor space. With the addition of the Inn, hotels to many attractions and experiences. the resort will offer a total of 150 guest rooms. Highlights “We were hit hard, that is for sure,” said Milton of the Inn at Barnsley Resort include a grand staircase Segarra, president & CEO, Meet Puerto Rico. “But and fireplace that will serve as focal points for guests. we are still standing. Right now, according to the Barnsley Resort is set on an 1840s estate and features Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), 72 per- a Jim Fazio-designed golf course, a 26-station sporting cent, or 108 out of 149 clays course, bird hunting at SpringBank Plantation and endorsed hotels, are op- horseback riding. www.barnsleyresort.com erating. This means that 82 percent of endorsed FLORIDA TEXAS rooms are available and Naples Grande Beach Resort reopened its doors Dec. The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is slated to accepting reservations 15 following a three-and-a-half-month closure due to open in early 2018. The 250-room, 38-story property for new bookings. We Hurricane Irma. The independent luxury resort under- will sit on 10 acres and offer a 35,000-square-foot also currently have 1,747 went a multimillion-dollar refresh that renovated its guest conference facility, including the largest ballroom in the weekly nonstop and di- rooms, public spaces, pools and outdoor landscap- Uptown Houston area. The ultra-luxury hotel, owned rect flights to Puerto Rico ing. Rather than working with outside contractors, staff and operated by Fertitta Entertainment, is located near from the USA, Caribbean volunteered to assist directly with the renovations, help- The Galleria and River Oaks District and set amid a and international cities. ing with painting, landscaping and cleaning throughout district brimming with mature oaks and water foun- [Operational hotels and all 23 acres, according to the resort. The 474-room tains. Highlights will include a two-story Rolls-Royce flights] coupled with property, which offers over 83,000 square feet of indoor showroom and a Bentley and Bugatti Post Oak Motors attractions updating us and outdoor event space, is set on 23 waterfront acres dealership on-site, as well as Texas’ first Mastro’s on their ability to host and adjoined by a 200-acre nature preserve and man- Steakhouse and the new Willie G’s Seafood, a luxury guests, a convention cen- grove estuary. www.naplesgrande.com spa, salon and designer retail and boutique office ter that is in such good space. www.thepostoak.com shape … we are ready Tavistock Develop Company unveiled plans for a to turn your meeting lists performance-oriented resort and spa at its sprawling VIRGINIA and ours, into bucket Lake Nona master-designed community in Orlando. Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center is the lists, to be fulfilled in Lake Nona Resort is scheduled to break ground this second property to join Hilton’s Tapestry collection Puerto Rico.” year and open in 2020. Plans call for 20,000 square of independent upscale hotels. The 183-room hotel The “Check Off Your feet of meeting space, including a ballroom that can located about 15 miles north of Richmond in Glen Bucket List,” promotion, rewards meeting and accommodate large groups and other functions. Other Allen, contains over 28,000 square feet of event incentive industry planners for booking groups at highlights include 250 guest rooms and 80 condo- space. The Southern-style estate includes a variety of select participating hotels and resorts in Puerto minium units; the world’s largest tennis campus, with gardens, courtyards and is next to the Crossings Golf Rico. A one-time “bucket list experience” will be 100 courts steps away from the new USTA National Course, an 18-hole course designed by Joe Lee. Other provided to a group for any day; select from either Campus; a 120,000-square-foot beach volleyball recreation highlights include a 24-hour fitness culinary or cultural options. venue; and one of the largest manmade center, a sand volleyball court, an outdoor The Check Off Your Bucket List promotion lagoons in the U.S. Besides traditional swimming pool and activities such as applies to new leads or groups booked with a dining outlets, the resort will offer basketball and horseshoes. The contract signed by March 31, 2018. The travel performance-based food and property also offers a ballroom window for meetings, events and incentives beverage options with menus that seats up to 400. On-site extends until Dec. 31, 2019. For 100-499 room designed by leading nutrition- food and beverage options nights, Meet Puerto Rico will contribute $10/per ists. www.lakenona.com include The Glen Restaurant booked room night; 500-999 room nights, $15 (seasonal buffet-style dining) per booked room night; and for 1,000+ room GEORGIA and The Tavern, which nights, $20 per booked room night. Barnsley Resort, set on a features Southern-style “We are not just coming back, we are moving 3,000-acre expanse about food in a relaxed and casual into a new age with the amazing opportunity to try 60 miles north of Atlanta environment alongside lighter new ideas, new approaches and new commit- in Adairsville, will debut the menu items. http://tapes ments to our clients, and we want you to partici- 55-room Inn at Barnsley Resort, trycollection3.hilton.com/tc/ pate in our progress, and share in the anticipation as well as the Georgian Hall, virginia-crossings-hotel of relaunching and rediscovering Puerto Rico,” BARNSLEY RESORT Segarra said.

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