The Resort Entertainment Business An Interview with Ray Pineault, President and General Manager, Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun Casino entrance (left); Earth Tower and Sky Tower (above) EDITORS’ NOTE Ray Pineault We’ve always known that the a short time; New York has expanded with Resorts has been with the Mohegan Tribe resort entertainment business we’re in and a few others recently; and Twin Rivers is and Mohegan Sun since March is highly competitive and highly capi- looking to add a casino in Rhode Island. 2001. He served as a Senior Staff tal intensive. We have many repeat What we’re still offering is that high-level Attorney for the Tribe. In addition, guests, so it’s always important to be guest experience. We help guests understand Pineault has provided legal services providing them with the newest and why they should choose us and drive from to several of the Mohegan Tribe’s best entertainment options, and Massachusetts or New York because they will departments and entities, as well we have to stay ahead of the game. have a special feeling and experience. We know as Little People, LLC and Crow Hill The council and management here that guests are willing to make that time for a Properties. Pineault also served as have always been forward-thinking brand they’re loyal to. a management board member of and forward-looking in providing Is there a profile for the Mohegan Sun Mohegan Information Technology new and upgraded opportunities, and guest? Group, LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Ray Pineault better entertainment for our guests. Our market is comprised of anyone 21 Arts in Psychology from the University We have been focusing on expan- years of age or older who is looking for a resort of Connecticut as well as a law degree from sion with the addition of the hotel. In 1996, destination option that provides one with vari- Quinnipiac College School of Law. we started out with a small casino with a few ous experiences such as shopping, dining, a restaurants and it has since gone through four spa, a great hotel stay, entertainment, music, COMPANY BRIEF Mohegan Sun (mohegansun. developments. We have a master plan for the and sports. We provide all of that and we can com), owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming property so we can maximize the utilization of compete with anybody throughout the U.S. for Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacu- the acreage we have here. the guest who wants to come and have a relax- lar entertainment, gaming, dining, and shop- We have other things that are on our draw- ing time. ping destinations in the United States. Situated ing board now that we hope to announce in the Our market is very broad and we don’t try on 185 acres along the Thames River in sce- short-term to continue to grow and expand the to limit it to anyone beyond those looking for a nic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun property. way of utilizing disposable income in an enter- is home to three unique casinos, two hotel tow- The Tribe itself is working with the town taining fashion. ers including the 34-story, 1,200-room luxuri- of Preston on the acquisition of 400 acres across How have you designed your focus ous Sky Tower, as well as the recently opened, the river from here to develop. around the family experience? 400-room Earth Tower, a world-class spa and We’re always looking to build upon this For families looking to get away, we want golf course, over 85 shops, restaurants, and property. It provides jobs and stable opportuni- to make sure that there are things for the kids to bars, as well as three award-winning entertain- ties for our team members, and supports the do while they’re here. We make sure we don’t ment venues including a 10,000-seat arena. community in job growth and opportunities. take those out of the equation so families can Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, When you have such notoriety and continue to come and enjoy the property. Boston, Hartford, and Providence and located excitement on the entertainment side, are What has been the key to success in the 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops, you able to get the message across about the food and beverage area? and waterfront of Mystic Country. hotel product? We have a highly successful and fantastic We can get guests here for the first time for team here that runs some of our own restaurants When the opportunity presented itself to lead the entertainment experience but keeping them and provides cuisine that our guests enjoy. We Mohegan Sun, what excited you about it and here and coming back is all about our team and also have some long-term partnerships with the made you feel it would be the right fit? the guest experience we provide. likes of Michael Jordan’s group, Todd English, I’ve been with the organization since Nothing that we provide is unique in and and Bobby Flay that provide our guests with 2001. I worked with the Tribe in the begin- of itself – there are hotels, casinos, restaurants, options they’re looking for. ning and was there for five years. I’ve been and spas throughout the Northeast of the United How important has the sports arena in the casino since 2006, and have worked at States. What is unique is our team members and been when it comes to drawing attention other places and in other industries. With the the guest experience we provide and, in order and brand awareness for the property? team that we have here, the leadership we to stay ahead of the game as we do, we need to The arena is a huge component for have always had, and the support we get from provide that superior guest service each time a Mohegan Sun – we have been ranked among the Tribe, the stability, the forward-thinking, guest visits. We focus our entire team on making the top five in the world for arenas of our size and strategic planning, this is by far the best sure we’re blowing away the guest every time for the past several years and our team does a place I have ever worked and the best peo- they stay with us. fantastic job of bringing in the newest, greatest, ple I’ve ever worked with. I could not have How much of an impact has gaming had and most exciting events and entertainers in the asked for a better opportunity. on the business and can the market sustain world. Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Hart, Will you talk about the investment the supply coming in? Bon Jovi, Sting, and Justin Timberlake are some that continues to be made to improve the Eventually, it will reach a saturation point. regular touring acts that come to Mohegan Sun property? There will be three casinos in Massachusetts in Arena.• 116 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2017 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 40, NUMBER 1 Untitled-6 2 11/15/2016 4:06:46 PM.