MGM National Harbor Names Alison Bybee Vice President of Food and Beverage
Industry Leader Joins Executive Team at Luxurious Maryland Resort
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., (December 3, 2015) – MGM National Harbor has named restaurant and hospitality industry leader Alison Bybee as its Vice President of Food and Beverage.
“Alison’s extensive industry experience matched with her strong leadership skills makes her the ideal complement to our executive team,” said MGM National Harbor General Manager Bill Boasberg. “We are confident that her strategic decision-making ability and service-oriented focus will allow her to excel as the head of our dynamic culinary program.”
A seasoned hospitality and restaurant executive, Bybee is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the resort’s Food and Beverage division, which includes a combination of high volume and gourmet dining outlets, lounges, catering and banquets, the wine and beverage program, in-room dining, kitchens and stewarding. In her role, she will create and implement the division’s business plan, oversee the long-term growth and profitability of each venue and establish a culture of integrity, teamwork and respect for all employees and business partners.
Bybee most recently served as Regional Vice President of Restaurant Operations for prestigious hotel company Kimpton Hotels, overseeing operations of restaurants, banquets and in-room dining for the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, Arizona and Mountain regions. With more than twelve years of service at Kimpton, she held key positions, such as General Manager of Panzano where she earned the Italian restaurant a four-star review from Denver’s 5280 magazine; General Manager of 312 Chicago and Encore Liquid Lounge where she was a recipient of the Bill Kimpton Award, the organization’s top honor; and Senior Director of Restaurant Operations where, under her leadership, Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago received national recognition in USA Today and Food & Wine. Prior to Kimpton, Bybee was Manager of Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The accomplished executive also holds several industry-recognized certifications and designations. Bybee is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Food and Beverage Committee where she plays a pivotal role in providing insight to board members and the lodging industry on food service matters that affect the industry. She also received a Level One Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, the premier international examining body for wine professionals.
Bybee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
About MGM National Harbor
The newest addition to the MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) portfolio, MGM National Harbor’s unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs. MGM National Harbor is scheduled to open December 8, 2016.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. MGM National Harbor has based forward-looking statements on management’s current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing and development of MGM National Harbor. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include effects of economic and market conditions and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, and the design, timing and costs of the project and additional risks and uncertainties described in the MGM Resorts International Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, MGM National Harbor is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Media Contact:
Ashley Farkas
MGM Resorts International Public Relations
afarkas@mgmresorts.com
(702) 692-6730
“Alison’s extensive industry experience matched with her strong leadership skills makes her the ideal complement to our executive team,” said MGM National Harbor General Manager Bill Boasberg. “We are confident that her strategic decision-making ability and service-oriented focus will allow her to excel as the head of our dynamic culinary program.”
A seasoned hospitality and restaurant executive, Bybee is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the resort’s Food and Beverage division, which includes a combination of high volume and gourmet dining outlets, lounges, catering and banquets, the wine and beverage program, in-room dining, kitchens and stewarding. In her role, she will create and implement the division’s business plan, oversee the long-term growth and profitability of each venue and establish a culture of integrity, teamwork and respect for all employees and business partners.
Bybee most recently served as Regional Vice President of Restaurant Operations for prestigious hotel company Kimpton Hotels, overseeing operations of restaurants, banquets and in-room dining for the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, Arizona and Mountain regions. With more than twelve years of service at Kimpton, she held key positions, such as General Manager of Panzano where she earned the Italian restaurant a four-star review from Denver’s 5280 magazine; General Manager of 312 Chicago and Encore Liquid Lounge where she was a recipient of the Bill Kimpton Award, the organization’s top honor; and Senior Director of Restaurant Operations where, under her leadership, Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago received national recognition in USA Today and Food & Wine. Prior to Kimpton, Bybee was Manager of Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The accomplished executive also holds several industry-recognized certifications and designations. Bybee is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Food and Beverage Committee where she plays a pivotal role in providing insight to board members and the lodging industry on food service matters that affect the industry. She also received a Level One Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, the premier international examining body for wine professionals.
Bybee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
# # #
About MGM National Harbor
The newest addition to the MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) portfolio, MGM National Harbor’s unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs. MGM National Harbor is scheduled to open December 8, 2016.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & Casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. MGM National Harbor has based forward-looking statements on management’s current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing and development of MGM National Harbor. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include effects of economic and market conditions and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, and the design, timing and costs of the project and additional risks and uncertainties described in the MGM Resorts International Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, MGM National Harbor is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Media Contact:
Ashley Farkas
MGM Resorts International Public Relations
afarkas@mgmresorts.com
(702) 692-6730