Work’s A GAME. PLAY TO WIN. jan/feb 08 EMPLOYEE NEWS Boyd Gaming’s got Talent! Page 2 Getting to Know 2007 Entertainer of the Year is named our Board Boyd Gaming held its 30th Anniversary of the jockey, on-air radio personality and promotions Company-wide talent show on November 6th at assistant director for one of the largest radio stations The Orleans Showroom. Finalists from 16 properties in Hawaii. Cliff’s winning performance earned him a competed for the title “Entertainer of the Year.” trip for two to Las Vegas and $1,000 cash. Company Collects Clifton Ceno from Vacations-Hawaii won the The night’s performers represented a broad range of 185 “Best of Slots” distinction for his interpretation of a dance rendition talents, as well as roles within the Company. Several ABOVE: Bill Boyd congratulates 2007 Entertainer of the Year, Vacations Awards made popular on the Internet by comedian Justin local celebrities attended and judged the competition. Hawaii’S Clifton Ceno. Laipply. Cliff’s performance featured songs from the Cash awards were given for second through fifth Page 3 1980s and more. He joined Boyd Gaming in 2000, place, and all other finalists received dinner for two The 2007 Entertainer of the Year performers bringing with him experience as a nightclub disc at any one of our restaurants. (in order of appearance) Moving Ignacio Lopez, Fremont (5th place winner) Up These talent shows... are a very important part of the Company’s Nick Tornow, Par-A-Dice Melvyn Williams, California giving back to our employees. B.J. Kunkel, Sam’s Town Las Vegas Charmaine Barnes, Treasure Chest Bill Boyd - Executive Chairman Eugene Mobarry, Gold Coast (2nd place winner) Page 4 Jerry Walker, Borgata (4th place winner) “This great Boyd Gaming tradition started in 1977 Clifton Ceno, Vacations-Hawaii (1st place winner) Lawrence Totaro, Suncoast at the California Hotel when we had only 500 James Boles, Main Street Station employees,” said Bill Boyd, Executive Chairman. Judy David, Blue Chip “Today, we have many thousands of employees and 16 William Bender, Sam’s Town Tunica properties nationwide that compete in our Employee Monique Jack, Delta Downs The Talent Shows. These talent shows have always held Eric Barber, Sam’s Town Shreveport Green Corner Kristy Belote, The Orleans a special place in my heart and are a very important Don Simmons, Jokers Wild/Eldorado (3rd place winner) part of the Company’s giving back to our employees.” COMPANY NEWS Bill Boyd takes the stage to name the winning performers. Page 2 Boyd Gaming Sponsors Welcome to the q&a with Keith Major Events: New Buzz Smith Boyd Gaming sponsored three major Las Vegas-area events in Notice anything different about the Boyd Buzz... Our editorial Page 3 November and December. team has crafted several enhancements to make the newsletter Aviation Nation, held at Nellis Air Force Base, is the premier air an even more effective tool in keeping you up to speed on the show of the Air Force and one of the largest aviation events in latest news and happenings company-wide. North America. Boyd Gaming is considered the “founding sponsor” To ensure the articles are as timely as possible, the Buzz will Employee of this free public event, which began six years ago. Feedback Inspires now be distributed six times per year versus four, as in the past. The Professional Bull Riders World Championships welcomed In addition, changes were made to the size and format to make Change sell-out crowds at the Thomas & Mack Center. A celebrity charity the newsletter easier to read. Along with the changes, we also Page 4 event was held at The Orleans in conjunction with the PBR made sure to keep many of the long-standing features that championships to benefit the “Resist All” Crisis Fund. (left to right) Edye Tomasello, Frances Toomey, Michelle Hartzell, Tyrone Boyd Gaming employees have come to expect and enjoy – like The National Finals Rodeo, also held Bynum, Misty Gougar and Lou Nunziat. the Moving Up profiles, q&A and Property News. at Thomas & Mack, is the world’s richest and most prestigious rodeo. Our involvement with these types Please tell us what you think of the new Buzz so we can Property Contestants in bareback riding, make it the best it can be! Email your comments to Kristy of events goes a long way... steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull Alward at [email protected] with the subject line News Dan Stark – Vice President of Marketing riding and more competed for prize “New Buzz Format.” money reaching $5.5 million. Vice President of Marketing Dan Stark, who leads sponsorships such as these, said, “Our involvement with these types of events NOW? RileyBlue Wallace, Chip was the recognized new special in events Northwest host forIndiana Boyd Gaming’s YOU K Building goes a long way in adding to our guests’ DID DowntownBusiness LQuarterly’sas Vegas properties,“Best of Business” was formerly head basketball coachannual for reader’s the University survey. of TheHawaii property for 26 wasyears. entertainment experience at our properties.” named a runner-up for best meeting site and best convention site in Michigan City. As of January 1, you assumed the position of President Boyd Gaming has a unique culture that has defined and differentiated and CEO. Can you tell us about your new role and how it the Company for the past 33 years. It’s simply a special place to work will affect Boyd Gaming? and play. As we embark on a new chapter in the Company’s history, I’m excited about continuing to work with a team that is committed to My new role as Chief Executive Officer feels like a very taking Boyd Gaming to the next level. natural transition in my career at Boyd Gaming and in the Also effective January 1, Paul Chakmak was promoted to Chief overall transformation of our Company. As I take this step Operating Officer; Josh Hirsberg, a 17-year veteran of the gaming up, Bill Boyd has assumed the role of Executive Chairman for the industry, joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Company and will remain actively involved with the strategic direction Financial Officer in Paul’s place; and Jeff Santoro was promoted to and vision of the Company. eith Senior Vice President and Treasurer. K I’ve been with Boyd Gaming now for 17 years. During that time, I’ve With these changes, and with the entire team we have in place, held a number of senior level executive positions and had the privilege I’m confident that the path we travel together will continue to lead mith of contributing my thoughts, energy and expertise to the growth of the to success. S Company – from going public in 1993 to the announcement of our Echelon project in 2006. Getting to Know our Board Company Collects 185 Billy McCoy “Best of Slots” Awards Retried U.S. Air Force Major General Billy where he manned the helm until 2001. Boyd Gaming hit the jackpot in the 2007 “Best of Slots” competition, Strictly Slots magazine’s annual McCoy joined the ROTC program as a young Billy also served as chairman of the board survey of slot players from coast-to-coast. man in college “to escape the hay fields of for Luscombe until 2007. east Texas,” he will say, with tongue-in- Our properties received a total of 185 awards in this year’s polling, cheek. But the real reason was that he I enjoy letting them including 65 first-place finishes. Leading the pack for the Company was always wanted to fly. And fly he has. take the wheel.. Sam’s Town Las Vegas, which finished first in 24 of 36 total categories in the Las Vegas Locals competition, including the coveted title of Billy entered the Air Force in 1963 and Billy McCoy - Boyd Gaming Board Member for 15 years “Best Overall Hotel Casino.” “Since 1979, no locals casino has done it was promoted to the better than Sam’s Town,” the magazine wrote in its October edition. rank of Major General He has served on our in 1989. During 30 years The Company’s Downtown Las Vegas properties also posted an Board of Directors of active service, he impressive performance – Main Street Station received 33 total since 1997. served as Air Force awards, followed by the Fremont Base Commander of Billy has three adult with 28. Borgata received the Homestead in Florida, children – a daughter most awards among Boyd Gaming Langley in Virginia, Luke and two sons. One of properties, with 34 awards, in Arizona, Nellis in his favorite pastimes is including “Best Overall Hotel Nevada and Lackland taking out his plane and Casino” in Atlantic City. Sam’s in Texas. flying with his sons, both Town Shreveport won 33 awards. of whom also have pilot’s After retiring from licenses. “I enjoy letting the service, Billy We are honored them take the wheel and worked for Boyd watching the houses get to receive Gaming as Director of smaller,” he said. such a strong endorsement from slot players Development from 1993 to 1996. He then went across the country. on to become president and chief operating Board of Directors: William S. Boyd, Marianne Johnson, Keith E. Keith Smith Smith, Robert L. Boughner, William R. Boyd, Thomas V. Girardi, - President and Chief Executive Officer officer of Luscombe Aircraft Corporation, Luther Mack JR., Michael O. Maffie, Billy G. MCCoy, Frederick J. Schwab, Peter M. Thomas, and Veronica J. Wilson. Henderson Poker Run Benefits Charity Jokers Wild and Eldorado sponsored the 1st Annual Henderson Boys & Girls Club Charity Poker Run in September.