Hospitality, Travel & Events

Hollywood, Fla. – September 29, 2026 -- Hard Rock International was named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas, marking the company's third win in this category. A panel of 100 senior industry executives determined the winners, with the voting process independently adjudicated by KPMG US.

Judges cite Canada and California expansions as key growth drivers

The award recognized Hard Rock's operational performance over the past 12 months, including the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the company's first fully integrated resort in Canada. Judges also pointed to continued progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Kern County, California, which completed Phase One of development in November 2025 and includes 150,000 square feet of gaming space located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- UrVenue has won the 2027 Global Gaming Business Gaming & Technology Award for Best Consumer Service Technology, recognizing its Venue Management Software that converts hotel and casino amenities into bookable, revenue-generating inventory. The award will be presented during Global Gaming Expo (G2E), running Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.

San Francisco – – September 29, 2026 -- U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales are projected to hit a record $1.55 trillion this year, a 4.8% increase from 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association, as OpenTable releases its first U.S. Restaurant Impact Report quantifying the sector's economic ripple effects. Dining at OpenTable restaurants rose 11% year-over-year, with average per-person spend up 3% to $60, based on OpenTable data covering July 2025 through June 2026.

Restaurant meals trigger $138 in additional nearby spending

60% of diners spend money at neighboring businesses before or after a meal, averaging $138 per visit, per a Ripple Research survey of 1,501 U.S. consumers conducted July 28–August 4, 2026. That figure climbs to $171 for Gen Z diners and $158 for Millennials, pointing to generational differences in local economic contribution.

Indianapolis – September 29, 2026 -- Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has signed Danish driver Christian Lundgaard to a multi-year contract to pilot the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda starting in 2027, adding a three-time INDYCAR winner to the winningest team in series history.

Lundgaard brings a career-best third-place championship finish to CGR's 2027 lineup

At 25 years old, Lundgaard has 16 podiums and 21 top-five finishes across 87 career INDYCAR starts. In 2026 he won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Road America while securing his career-best third-place finish in the championship standings and his first oval podium. He joins teammates Alex Palou and Kyffin Simpson at CGR next season.

Parsippany, N.J. – September 29, 2026 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) said its Board of Directors approved a $400 million increase to the company's share repurchase authorization, expanding capital returned to shareholders.

Board cites cash-flow strength behind expanded buyback plan

President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said the increase reflects the Board's confidence in Wyndham's business model and its ability to generate significant cash flow. The program carries no termination date and can be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Repurchase execution remains flexible and market-dependent

Wyndham said the amount and timing of specific repurchases will depend on market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Buybacks may be executed through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- IGT debuted Queen Video Slots at the 2026 Global Gaming Expo (G2E), a new casino game built on the legacy of rock band Queen and launched on the company's new Summit75 cabinet.

IGT partners with Sony Music subsidiary to license Queen catalog for slot game

IGT developed the title in collaboration with Ceremony of Roses, Queen's licensor and a global subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The game features 10 Queen tracks, including "We are the Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Don't Stop Me Now," alongside photos and videos of all four original band members.

Game includes four bonuses and six jackpots to drive floor engagement

Queen Video Slots offers four content-rich bonus rounds and six jackpot tiers, positioned by IGT as a concert-like experience designed to capture both music fans and slot players on casino floors.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- Aristocrat Gaming secured three top honors at the Global Gaming Awards Americas, including Class 2 and Class 3 Land-Based Supplier of the Year and Slot of the Year for MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks.

Aristocrat extends eight-year winning streak in land-based supplier category

The company has now claimed the Class 3 Land-Based Supplier of the Year title for eight consecutive years and Slot of the Year for the same eighth-year streak. The Class 2 award marks the second straight year Aristocrat has topped that category.

CEO cites product performance as driver of repeat recognition

Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, said the recognition reflects the company's focus on developing products and experiences that drive measurable performance outcomes for casino operators.

Austin, Texas – September 29, 2026 -- Saigon Hustle, a Vietnamese-inspired restaurant concept backed by private equity firm Savory Fund, has grown to three locations across the Houston market through a growth marketing partnership with Walden Media Group (WMG).

WMG scales Saigon Hustle from single unit to three-location Houston operation

WMG, a growth marketing agency, has led paid and organic digital acquisition, creative production, brand identity, social media, and go-to-market strategy for Saigon Hustle since engaging with the brand. The partnership has taken the concept from one restaurant to a multi-unit operation in Houston, with Savory Fund providing the operational, financial, and strategic infrastructure to support the expansion.

Las Vegas – September 28, 2026 -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) will release its third-quarter 2026 financial results after market close on Wednesday, October 29, 2026, followed by a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

MGM Resorts sets October 28 date for Q3 earnings release and investor call

The call will include a brief discussion of results and a question-and-answer session with management. Supplemental slides will be posted on MGM's Investor Relations website ahead of the call.

Company provides dial-in details for domestic and international participants

Investors can access the call via webcast or by dialing 1-888-317-6003 domestically or 1-412-317-6061 internationally, using access code 9250061. A replay will be available through October 29, 2026, via 1-855-669-9658 or 1-412-317-0088 with access code 9853875.

Mettler, Calif. – – September 28, 2026 -- The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock Casino Tejon have appointed Mike Bean as Property President, effective October 5, filling the top operational post at the California gaming venue along the I-5 corridor.

Bean arrives with three decades of tribal gaming leadership experience

Bean joins Hard Rock Casino Tejon after serving as Chief Executive Officer of Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. His resume also includes a stint as CEO of Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment in Arizona, alongside senior leadership roles at other major gaming and resort organizations.