Hard Rock International Champions 'Save the Planet' Pledge by "Going Dark" for Earth Hour

Global Hospitality Brand Teams Up with World Wildlife Fund for Fifth Consecutive Year

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International, as a part of a commitment towards a cleaner, eco-friendly world, is once again reflecting on its partnership with global leader in environmental conservation World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and participation in the annual Earth Hour movement. On Saturday, March 25, more than 135 Hard Rock Hotels, Cafes and Casinos around the globe participated by "going dark" for one hour starting at 8:30 pm local property time. This year has proven to be Hard Rock's most successful Earth Hour activation to-date, with more participating Hotels, Cafes and Casinos, and kilowatts conserved than ever before in the history of the partnership with World Wildlife Fund.

"Hard Rock's ongoing partnership with World Wildlife Fund timed to Earth Hour each year is celebrated by properties and team members all over the world as a true testament to living out the 'Save the Planet' motto that bonds us all," said Paul Pellizzari, Vice President of Global Social Responsibility for Hard Rock International. "This year, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our Hotels, Cafes and Casinos worldwide who made this the most impactful Earth Hour yet just by shutting off the lights and hosting unique activations for guests to enjoy."

In celebration of Earth Hour this year, the 135+ participating properties' restaurants, bars, Rock Shops^®, hotel rooms, casino lobbies, and outdoor spaces enjoyed candle-lit dinners, acoustic musical performances, sustainable menu options, sustainable movie series, and upcycling competition events, including:

• 135+ Hard Rock properties around the world unplugged their iconic guitar and other lights for one hour among creative, planet-friendly activations. Hard Rock Cafe Shenzhen offered guests the chance to test drive electric vehicles. Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya held an upcycling competition to recreate iconic Hard Rock memorabilia, and having guests vote on which should be highlighted in the hotel's lobby.
• 10 Hotels, including Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Hard Rock Amsterdam, and Hard Rock Hotel Davos, hosted live acoustic music performances alongside candle lit performances.
• 14 properties developed special menus highlighting local ingredients and menu pairings for candle-lit dinners. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, for instance, created a curated plant-based menu for the occasion.
• 9 Hotels and Casinos crafted cocktails celebrating "Going Dark," with homegrown herbs and spirits from around the world. Hard Rock Hotel Bali and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana offered one of a kind, "Save the Planet" themed cocktails to their guests.

Imagery and video of Hard Rock's Earth Hour participation can be found here.

To learn more about Hard Rock's mottos and commitment to "Save the Planet" including its partnerships with World Wildlife Fund and other sustainable partners like Clean The World, please visit www.hardrock.com/living-our-mottos.aspx. Additional information on Hard Rock International can be found by visiting www.hardrock.com.

About Hard Rock^®: 
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops^®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 87,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. In 2022, Hard Rock Hotels was honored as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for the second year in a row among Upper Upscale Hotels in J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study. This designation is the fourth consecutive year the iconic brand has been among top brands in this category. HRI is the first privately-owned gaming company designated U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for the second year. Hard Rock's recognition by Forbes in the 2023 list of America's Best Large Employers for the seventh year in a row, stands amongst other accolades by Forbes such as ranking amongst World's Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com

SOURCE Hard Rock International