FORT WASHINGTON, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Wednesday, October 9, 2013, Parx Casino Hotel & Spa, a formidable competitor for the Prince George’s County casino license, will host its Vendor and Career Information Fair at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. The fair will take place in two separate sessions, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Each session will include discussions about becoming a vendor for the property, and the skills needed to become an employee of the property. Parx executives and staff representing Hiring, Training, Purchasing and Development will also be on hand for questions and answers and one-on-one consultation.
Parx Casino Hotel & Spa is hosting the information event more than two years before any casino can open in the County to further assure residents that it intends to buy and hire locally, should it win the casino license.
From the start, Parx has committed to including local, small, minority, female, disadvantaged, veteran, and disabled veteran business participation above minimum requirements during construction and operation of its proposed Fort Washington facility. Parx representatives will explain how all businesses can be included in earning part of the $626 million dollars of immediate economic benefit from construction of the facility as well as more than $1 billion dollars in continuous annual economic activity. Should Parx obtain the casino license, post construction, Parx will purchase, among other things, safety equipment, furniture, printing services, marketing promotional goods, food, beverages, cleaning supplies and services, and other commodities.
Tony Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of Greenwood Racing, Inc. states, “We understand that Prince George’s County is home to many evolving, highly successful and diverse businesses. The information fair is a fantastic opportunity to discuss traditional and creative items we purchase. Having this conversation early in the process will benefit Parx and local business owners as we both update our future business plans.” Mr. Ricci further stated, “We are committed to having traditional, unique and diverse businesses participate in every facet of our high-end facility. We want to be inclusive.”
During the fair, Parx will also share its pledge to hire a diverse workforce at all levels of employment and across its three lines of business: gaming, hotel, and food and beverage. With the promise of almost 5,000 jobs during construction and 5,700 permanent jobs, Parx has partnered with Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) to ensure that the highest percentage of employees is local. Parx and the PGCC’s Workforce Development Program will collaborate on recruiting, training and placing jobseekers. Together, Parx and PGCC will also offer career transition, job retention and casino-specific skill development designed to meet the training and employment needs of Parx Casino Hotel & Spa. Future positions will include salaried and hourly roles in areas such as hotel, spa and restaurant management; gaming operations; architecture and interior design; business and finance; communications and marketing; security and surveillance; event productions; graphic design; information technology; and facility maintenance.
Mr. Ricci added, “In our Bensalem, Pennsylvania location, Parx boasts a hiring record of 40 percent women in upper management. We also pay highly competitive salaries and provide an excellent benefit package. We have a proven track record of promoting from within and investing in employees; 70 percent of advancement is from within. In addition, we enjoy high employee job satisfaction and have impressive job retention rates. We know what works and intend to continue our high level of employee satisfaction, while at the same time delivering first-class customer service in Prince George’s County.”
On Wednesday, October 23, Parx Casino Hotel & Spa is scheduled to have its public presentation and hearing about the proposal before the Commission. The presentation will take place at 3:30 p.m., and the hearing with public comment will occur at 6:00 p.m. at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md. Parx invites the community to come out and support its proposal for the Prince George’s County casino operation license so all of the benefits discussed above can be brought to the community.
For information on Parx Casino, Hotel & Spa and Greenwood Racing, Inc., contact A. Leigh Williams, Esq. 301-471-6475 - lwilliams@parxcasino.com and please visit www.parxmd.com.
About Greenwood Racing, Inc. and Parx Casino (R)
Parx Casino®, the largest and most impressive gaming complex in Pennsylvania, and Parx Racing®, a legendary thoroughbred racetrack, are owned and operated by Greenwood Racing, Inc. Conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia, I-95 exit 37 or PA Turnpike exit 351(westbound), exit 352 (eastbound) onto Street Road in Bensalem, Parx features 164,000 square feet of gaming; 3,350 slot machines; 120 table games; 61 poker tables; live racing & simulcast action; Parx Grill, an upscale signature restaurant; Foodies food court; Chickie’s & Pete’s crab house and sports bar; Earl of Sandwich®; SangKee Noodle Bar; 360 bar and live music venue; Jax sports bar; Finish Line bar and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. For more information on Parx visit www.parxcasino.com and www.parxracing.com.
