A few weeks ago I got to sit down and talk with a UNLV grad who’s gone pretty far in the Vegas hotel business and is poised to go further. The results of that talk? Today’s Vegas Seven cover story, a profile of Jon Gray:
For one, the $550 million shopping and entertainment district between the Flamingo and for now Imperial Palace will have its own mayor.Admittedly, the idea of a private business having a mayor—Foursquare notwithstanding—calls to mind a mascot more than an executive. But Jon Gray, the guy Caesars Entertainment has tapped for the post, is no Mayor McCheese. He’s considered one of the fastest-rising stars in the Las Vegas hospitality business. If there’s anyone who can rock the “mayor” title without losing credibility as vice president and general manager of Linq his official title, it’s a man who has spent much of the past decade learning the business from one of the best.
Since it was unveiled, I’ve been generally upbeat about Linq. It going to add ancillary attractions without expanding the room capacity, and it makes sense from a variety of angles. I’m most curious about just how it will be distinguished from the numerous other places on the Strip where people can dine, shop, and be entertained, and Gray gave me one idea on how it will be different. I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together.
Plus, how many chances do you get to make a Mayor McCheese reference? Still waiting for the chance to legitimately drop a Hamburglar reference in somewhere. I’m not particularly fond of McDonald’s, but that stuff apparently made quite an impression on me as a kid.