Darkness at Caesars Entertainment Resorts and Casinos Illuminates Concerns About Climate Change During Earth Hour

LAS VEGAS, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 29, 2014 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., local time all Caesars Entertainment's resorts and casinos in North America will participate in Earth Hour for the sixth consecutive year to bring awareness to one of the world's most pressing environmental concerns – climate change. Guests and employees will be encouraged to turn off all non-essential interior lighting, while the resorts' lit exteriors and marquees are shut off for the hour. Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour has grown to involve hundreds of millions of people across 7,000 cities and 154 countries in a collective statement of concern about climate change.

According to the Energy Information Administration, world energy consumption will grow 56 percent by 2040. Caesars recognizes that the problems facing the planet demand real action today and that awareness of these issues is critical for change. Earth Hour is one of the company's many initiatives comprising its larger sustainability strategy, CodeGreen, and serves as a visual representation of their commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Every year, Caesars and its nearly 70,000 employees engage in environmental programs and sustainable business practices that provide tangible low-carbon solutions to reduce water, energy and waste consumption at all resorts and casinos. As a result of grassroots programs implemented by a dedicated team at each location, Caesars has succeeded in achieving:

• Reduced energy use 19 percent per air-conditioned square foot from 2007 through 2012 although the company has grown organically.
• Overall U.S. waste diversion of 24 percent (34 of our domestic properties).
• Reduced carbon footprint by 11.4 percent from 2007 through 2012 at absolute levels.
• Reduced water usage by 7 percent on a square foot basis since 2008 (baseline year).
• Invested nearly $70 million on energy conservation projects since 2004.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that 39.67 million tourists came to Las Vegas in 2013. The powering down of nine Caesars resorts in Las Vegas has the ability to impact thousands of daily visitors with its statement on environmental action. The company's latest development in Las Vegas, The LINQ, consists of three large, highly lit structures that will play a starring role in this year's event. From the pedestrian-only street within The LINQ, guests will have the best view of Earth Hour festivities and the rare black out of the country's brightest city.

Located at the heart of the strip, The LINQ is an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district, anchored by the world's tallest observation wheel, known as the Las Vegas High Roller. Impacting the Vegas skyline at 550 feet tall and with more than 2,000 LED lights, the High Roller will create a striking effect as it powers down for Earth Hour. Special displays are set to appear on The LINQ's 130-ft tall three-sided marquee, and the High Roller will shine an electric blue to commemorate the day before both go dark. The Vortex, a visually stunning architectural element intricately embedded with LED-lights on top of The Quad Resort & Casino will also power off along with the multiple venues and marquees within The LINQ.

Supporting Quotes:
"Caesars' annual participation in this event is one of many ways we strive to uphold the principles outlined in our Code of Commitment and support the communities in which we are privileged to operate. We are encouraging both employees and guests to keep the spirit of Earth Hour alive by making a habit of turning off unnecessary lights and personal equipment when it is not in use, both at work or at home." – Gwen Migita, VP of Corporate Sustainability & Community Affairs, Caesars Entertainment.

"Caesars has been a leader in promoting Earth Hour, encouraging other casinos and businesses in the region to participate. Seeing the lights go off in America's brightest city every year is a reminder of our movement towards becoming a more environmentally and socially sustainable Las Vegas, as well as all the work we have yet to do to make a real impact on climate change in our community and as a planet." – Tom Perrigo, Chief Sustainability Officer at City of Las Vegas

Links / URLs:

• Caesars Entertainment Corporation: http://www.caesars.com
• Caesars CodeGreen: www.caesars.com/codegreen
• The LINQ: www.thelinq.com
• Earth Hour: www.earthhour.org

Follow Caesars Entertainment:

• Twitter: @cetcodegreen (#caesarscodegreen)
• Official Earth Hour Hashtag: #CaesarsEarthHour
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CaesarsEntertainmentCodeGreen

Follow The LINQ

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theLINQ
• Twitter: @TheLINQ
• Instagram: @TheLINQ

Follow Earth Hour

• Twitter: @earthhour (#YourPower)
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthhour
• Instagram: @EarthHourOffical (#YourPower)

SOURCE Caesars Entertainment Corporation