|X| Annual Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002
Or
| | Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For The Transition Period From To
_________________
Commission File Number 333-42147
_________________
| Nevada | 04-3010100 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Room 1A | |||
| Las Vegas, Nevada | 89109 | ||
| (Address of principal offices) | (Zip Code) | ||
(702) 414-1000
Registrants telephone number, including Area Code
Securities registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g)
of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months; and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No | |
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. |X|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes | | No |X|
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of registrant as of June 30, 2002 was $0.
The Company had 1,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2003.
| Part I | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item 1 | Business | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Item 2 | Properties | 28 | ||||||||||||
| Item 3 | Legal Proceedings | 29 | ||||||||||||
| Item 4 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 30 | ||||||||||||
| Part II | ||||||||||||||
| Item 5 | Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 31 | ||||||||||||
| Item 6 | Selected Financial Data | 32 | ||||||||||||
| Item 7 | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 33 | ||||||||||||
| Item 7A | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 43 | ||||||||||||
| Item 8 | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 45 | ||||||||||||
| Item 9 | Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants On Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 85 | ||||||||||||
| Part III | ||||||||||||||
| Item 10 | Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant | 86 | ||||||||||||
| Item 11 | Executive Compensation | 87 | ||||||||||||
| Item 12 | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 90 | ||||||||||||
| Item 13 | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 91 | ||||||||||||
| Item 14 | Controls and Procedures | 95 | ||||||||||||
| Part IV | ||||||||||||||
| Item 15 | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K | 96 | ||||||||||||
| Signatures | 101 | |||||||||||||
| Certifications | 102 | |||||||||||||
| Supplemental Information | 104 | |||||||||||||
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. (LVSI) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) own and operate the Venetian Casino Resort (the Casino Resort), a Renaissance Venice-themed resort situated at one of the premier locations on the Las Vegas Strip (the Strip). The Casino Resort is located across from The Mirage and the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. The Casino Resort includes the only all-suites hotel on the Strip with 3,036 suites (the Hotel); a gaming facility of approximately 116,000 square feet (the Casino); an enclosed retail, dining and entertainment complex of approximately 446,000 net leasable square feet (the Mall); and a meeting and conference facility of approximately 500,000 square feet (the Congress Center).
The Casino Resort is physically connected to the approximately 1.15 million square foot Sands Expo and Convention Center (the Expo Center), one of the largest facilities in the United States specifically designed for trade shows and conventions. Management believes that the combined facilities of the Casino Resort and the Expo Center (which is separately owned by an affiliate of the Companys principal stockholder) is one of the largest hotel and meeting complexes in the United States.
LVSI was incorporated in 1988 under the laws of the State of Nevada. In April 1989, LVSI acquired the Sands Hotel and Casino (the Sands) from MGM Grand. LVSI owned and operated the Sands from April 1989 to June 1996 when operations ceased to begin demolition of the Sands and construction of the Casino Resort. Ground breaking for the Casino Resort occurred in April 1997, the entire Casino Resort (excluding the Mall) opened on May 4, 1999, the Mall opened on June 19, 1999 and substantial completion of the entire Casino Resort was achieved on November 12, 1999.
The Company is constructing an extension to the Casino Resort to add an approximately 1,000-room hotel tower on top of the Casino Resorts existing parking garage, an approximately 1,000-parking space expansion to the existing parking garage and approximately 150,000 square feet of additional meeting and conference space (the Phase IA Addition). The Phase IA Addition is expected to be completed in June 2003. See New Developments Phase IA Addition and Risk Factors There are Significant Risks Associated with the Companys Planned Construction Projects, Which Could Adversely Affect its Financial Condition, Results of Operations or Cash Flows.
The Government of Macau, Peoples Republic of China granted a provisional concession to operate casinos in Macau to Galaxy Casino Company Limited, a joint venture comprised of a subsidiary of the Company and a group of Macau and Hong Kong-based investors. The Company is currently constructing a casino in Macau with an anticipated completion date of February 2004. In addition to the casino the Company is currently constructing, the Company tentatively plans to build a 500-suite hotel, casino and convention center complex, with a Venetian-style theme similar to that of the Companys Las Vegas property. See Risk Factors There are Significant Risks Associated with the Companys Planned Construction Projects, Which Could Adversely Affect its Financial Condition, Results of Operations or Cash Flows and The Company May Not Be Able to Raise the Required Funds for the Macau Casino.
The Casino Resort was developed on a stand-alone basis as the first phase of a two-phase development. In the second phase of the development, it is contemplated that another similarly sized themed resort (the Phase II Resort) will be constructed and developed by a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of LVSI (the Phase II Subsidiary).
LVSI is the managing member and owner of 100% of the common equity of Venetian Casino Resort, LLC (Venetian). Venetian is the owner and operator of the Hotel and Congress Center, and the owner of the Casino. Under a casino lease (the Casino Lease), Venetian leases the Casino to LVSI, which conducts all gaming operations in the Casino Resort. Grand Canal Shops II, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of LVSI (the New Mall Subsidiary) owns and operates the Mall. The executive offices of LVSI are located at 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Room 1A, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 and its telephone number is (702) 414-1000.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements. See Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements.
The Casino Resort
The Hotel
The Hotel presently has 3,036 single and multiple bedroom suites situated in a 35-story, three-winged tower rising above the Casino. The lobby features a 65-foot domed ceiling decorated with Venetian-themed, fresco-style paintings, a main passageway formed by a barrel-vaulted ceiling carried on ornamental columns, and a replica of the unique three dimensional-style marble floors found in Venetian palaces.
A typical Hotel suite approximates 655 to 735 square feet, consisting of a raised sleeping area and bathroom and a sunken living/working area. The suites bi-level configuration creates a multi-function living space in which guests can sleep, work and entertain and includes two queen-size beds or one king-size bed, a writing desk, dual-line speaker phones, a fax machine and a sitting area. Approximately 318 of the suites are of larger size for use by gaming customers.
The Casino Resorts average daily room rates were $196 in each of the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. Gross room revenues during the year ended December 31, 2002 were $206.7 million, representing an increase of $2.5 million when compared to $204.2 million during 2001. During 2002, the occupancy rate for available guestrooms (including complementaries) in the Hotel was 95.6%.
The Hotel leases space to eight restaurants to well known restaurateurs, (including Emeril Legasse and Wolf Gang Puck), that are located adjacent to the Casino and five other food outlets located in a Venetian-style market food court located at the casino level of the Hotel. Live entertainment is offered at the 50,000 square foot entertainment complex, C2K. In addition, the Hotel provides a variety of amenities for its guests, including a state-of-the-art health spa, operated by Canyon Ranch Management, LLC, with massage and treatment rooms, exercise and fitness areas. The Hotel features an outdoor swimming complex (including three pools, spas, pool bars and cabanas) surrounded by gardens, waterways, fountains and sculptures.
In addition to the Congress Center, the Hotel includes approximately 63,000 square feet of exhibition hall space that was completed in October 2001, including the Guggenheim/Hermitage Museum, an art museum featuring masterpiece collections from the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia and other museums. Approximately 59,000 square feet of the exhibition hall space housed the Guggenheim Art of the Motorcycle exhibit until January 2003. The Company is currently evaluating the future use of this space.
The Casino
The Casino has 116,000 square feet of gaming space and is situated adjacent to the Hotel lobby. The Casino floor is accessible from each of the Hotel, the Mall, the Congress Center, the Expo Center and the Strip. The Casino is marketed to attract a broad base of patrons, with a specific focus on frequent premium gaming customers. The Company markets the Casino directly to this gaming market segment using database-marketing techniques, slot clubs and traditional incentives such as reduced room rates and complimentary meals and suites. The Company offers high roller gaming customers premium suites and special hotel and casino services.
The Casino environment is stylized to resemble a Venetian palazzo, with architectural and interior design features representative of Venices Renaissance era and its adjacent amenities include several signature restaurants such as Emeril Lagasses Delmonico and Piero Selvaggios Valentino. The ceiling in the table games area features fresco-style paintings of Venetian palaces. The gaming facilities include approximately 2,035 slot machines of various denominations, including popular multi-property, linked progressive games. A high-end slot area, with a private lounge, provides slot customers with premium slot products and services. The Casinos approximately 127 table games (excluding baccarat tables) include the traditional games of blackjack, craps and roulette, Asian games such as Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, and popular progressive table games such as Caribbean Stud Poker and Let It Ride. In addition, the Casino offers gaming customers an upscale sportsbook room and an upscale gaming salon featuring baccarat, blackjack and roulette tables. The gaming salon is specially designed for premium, high roller gaming, with baccarat, blackjack and roulette, direct access to private cash-out windows at the Casino cage and direct access to the Casinos credit department.
The Mall
The Mall offers approximately 446,000 net leasable square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment space located on two levels within the Casino Resorts main structure, between the Casino level and the Hotel tower and in a separate approximately 38,000 square foot retail annex adjacent to the Casino Resorts main structure and directly accessible from the Strip. The Mall includes eight restaurants, six food court outlets, three specialty shops and 58 retail stores. Visitors and guests can enter the Mall from several different directions, including from the Strip via a moving sidewalk, from the main gaming area of the Casino via escalators, from the Expo Center through the Congress Center, from a cross-over bridge across the Strip and directly from the Hotel.
The Mall offers an array of quality dining experiences, including upscale restaurants such as Wolfgang Pucks Postrio, offering international and American regional cuisines. The Malls retail offerings include exclusive showcase boutiques, popular brand name mid-priced stores and themed entertainment concepts. Premium branded tenants in the Mall include Mikimoto, Movado, Burberry and Jimmy Choo. The restaurants and stores are set along an approximately one-quarter mile Venetian-themed streetscape and front on the Venetian-themed canal running its length and grouped in piazza-style settings. Store and restaurant facades are designed to project the Venetian theme.
In both 2002 and 2001, the Mall leased approximately 90% of its gross leasable space at an average of approximately $100 per leasable square foot. Additional tenants and increased proceeds from rents raised Mall revenues to $36.5 million in 2002 from $33.5 million in 2001. The average term of a lease in the Mall is 10 years.
The Expo Center and the Congress Center
With over 1.15 million gross square feet of exhibit and meeting space, including four exhibit halls and 20 meeting rooms, the separately owned and operated Expo Center is one of the largest trade show and convention facilities in the United States (as measured by net leasable square footage). As part of the Casino Resort, the Company owns and operates the Congress Center, an approximately 500,000 gross square foot meeting and conference facility which links the Expo Center and the rest of the Casino Resort. The Congress Center includes an approximately 85,000 square foot column-free Venetian Ballroom, an approximately 13,500 square foot Palazzo Ballroom, a meeting complex of 42 individual rooms which can be combined to create three additional ballrooms and an approximately 105,000 square foot exhibition hall. Together, the Expo Center and the Congress Center offer nearly 1.65 million square feet of state-of-the-art exhibition and meeting facilities, which can be configured to provide 108 meeting rooms or accommodate large-scale multi-media events. The Company is also constructing 150,000 square feet of additional meeting and conference facility space to the Casino Resort. See New Developments Phase IA Addition.
Management markets the Congress Center to complement the operations of the Expo Center by target marketing the Congress Center for business conferences and upscale business events typically held during the mid-week period, thereby generating room-night demand and driving average daily room rates during the weekday move-in/move-out phases of Expo Center events. The Companys goal is to draw from attendees and exhibitors at Expo Center events and from attendees of Congress Center events to maintain weekday room-night demand at the Hotel from this higher budget market segment, when room demand would otherwise be derived from the lower budget tour and travel group market segment.
In 2002, approximately 933,000 visitors attended trade shows and conventions at the Expo Center during 121 show days. The Expo Center hosted 17 events on the 2002 Trade Show Week 200 list of the largest trade shows in the United States in 2002, including the Spring and Fall Western Shoe Show and JCK Jewelry Show, as well as the Automotive Service Industry Association Week, each of which were multiple-location events.
The Company has no ownership of or financial interest in the Expo Center or Interface Group-Nevada, Inc. (Interface), the owner of the Expo Center, and does not exercise any control over the business or management of the Expo Center or Interface. All of the capital stock of Interface is beneficially owned by Sheldon G. Adelson, the principal stockholder of the Company (the Principal Stockholder). See Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Possible Conflicts of Interest.
Venetian, the New Mall Subsidiary, Interface and Lido Casino Resort, LLC are parties to an Amended and Restated Reciprocal Easement, Use and Operating Agreement (the Cooperation Agreement) which, among other things, provides for the integrated operation of all the facilities. Interface, the New Mall Subsidiary and Venetian allocate expenses shared by the Expo Center, the Casino Resort and the Mall. In addition, the Company and Interface jointly market the Hotel and Casino, the Mall, the Congress Center and the Expo Center. Until December 31, 2010, Interface will use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Hotel designated as the headquarters hotel for trade show and convention events at the Expo Center, and the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to promote the use and occupancy of the Expo Center. In order to obtain the Casino Resorts headquarters hotel designation, the Company has agreed with Interface that, except under certain circumstances, trade shows of the type generally held at the Expo Center will not be held in the Congress Center. The Company will be able to conduct or permit to be conducted at the meeting and conference space that is a part of the Phase IA Addition and the Congress Center, tradeshows and expositions of the type generally held at the Expo Center so long as such space is at most 125,000 square feet and the Company enters into a preferred reservation system agreement with Interface. Trade show and convention promoters are under no obligation to select the Casino Resort as the headquarters hotel for their events. See Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Cooperation Agreement.
New Developments
Phase IA Addition
During June 2002, the Company re-commenced construction of the Phase IA Addition. Due to the travel disruption to Las Vegas during the fourth quarter of 2001 (following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001), the Company had previously suspended construction of the Phase IA Addition. The Company anticipates that the Phase IA Addition construction will be completed in June 2003 with a remaining cost to complete of approximately $149.0 million, and an additional $8.9 million to expand the central HVAC facility (the HVAC Plant) to accommodate the Phase IA Addition, as of December 31, 2002. Due to the inherent risks in large construction projects, however, there can be no assurance that the Phase IA Addition will be constructed without any substantial delays or cost increases. See Risk Factors There are Significant Risks Associated with the Companys Planned Construction Projects, Which Could Adversely Affect its Financial Condition, Results of Operations or Cash Flows.
Macau Casino Project
Concession
On June 26, 2002, the Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China (Macau) granted a provisional concession to operate casinos in Macau to Galaxy Casino Company Limited, a joint venture comprised of a subsidiary of the Company (the Macau Subsidiary) and a group of Macau and Hong Kong-based investors. Macau, the former Portuguese colony located near Hong Kong, currently has annual gaming revenues of approximately $2.0 to $2.5 billion and is widely regarded as one of the fastest growing gaming markets in the world. Approximately 10 million visitors arrived in Macau during 2001 (the latest available count), according to the Macau Tourism Board. The following factors are expected to continue to significantly improve Macaus status as a world-class gaming and resort destination: (i) the increased ease of access from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan and other Asian regional gaming markets (where casinos are currently banned); (ii) significant foreign and domestic investment in new and expanded gaming products; and (iii) the development of Disneyland China and other new resort developments in the region. The Company believes that the Macau opportunity provides an international platform to expand its premier Venetian brand and create increased diversification of, and a new source of significant growth for, its revenue base.
Galaxy Casino Company Limited was one of three entities to be granted a casino license in Macau. During December 2002, the joint venture participants entered into concession, sub-concession, and related agreements. The sub-concession agreement with the joint venture participants provides that a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (Venetian Macau) will develop and operate casino projects separate from its other joint venture partners. It is expected that the joint venture participants will in turn develop hotel and casino projects separate from the Company.
Under the terms of Venetian Macaus agreements with the government of Macau, Venetian Macau has certain financial obligations to the Government of Macau or is obligated to pay for certain costs of developing and constructing the Macau Casino in Macau. Venetian Macau is committed to invest 4.4 billion Macau patacas (approximately $531.7 million at current exchange rates as of December 31, 2002) under its agreement with the government of Macau in various development projects until March 31, 2007.
The initial term of the Venetian Macau sub-concession agreement is 20 years, beginning on June 27, 2002 and ending on June 26, 2022. The sub-concession agreement can be terminated after the fifteenth year, upon one years prior notice and upon fair and reasonable compensation for the balance of the term. Venetian Macau and each of the other parties have the following obligations under the sub-concession agreement:
| | Ensuring proper operation and conduct of casino games; |
| | Employing people with appropriate qualifications; |
| | Operating and conducting casino games of chance in a fair and honest manner without the influence of criminal activities; and |
| | Safeguarding and ensuring Macaus interests in tax revenue from the operation of casinos and other gaming areas. |
Additionally, Venetian Macau is subject to reporting requirements to Macaus Gambling Inspection and Coordination Bureau on a yearly basis, in particular with respect to the number of gaming tables and electrical or mechanical gaming machines that it intends to operate during the following year. As part of the granting of this concession, Venetian Macau will have to pay a variable premium, subject to change, to Macau based on (i) a fixed yearly payment, and (ii) variable payments based on the number and type of gaming tables used by Venetian Macau. Venetian Macau will also have to pay a special gaming tax of 35% and contribute 4% of gross gaming revenue to Macau.
Macau Casino
Venetian Macau is currently constructing a casino (Macau Casino), with an anticipated completion date of February 2004, and in addition, tentatively plans to build a 500-suite hotel, casino and convention center complex, with a Venetian-style theme similar to that of the Companys Las Vegas property. The Company currently anticipates that the Macau Casino construction will be completed at a total cost of $210.0 million. Due to inherent risks in large construction projects in a foreign jurisdiction, however, there can be no assurance that the Macau Casino will be constructed without substantial delays or cost increases. See Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources and Risk Factors There are Significant Risks Associated with the Companys Planned Construction Projects, Which Could Adversely Affect its Financial Condition, Results of Operations or Cash Flows, The Company May Not Be Able to Raise the Required Funds for the Macau Casino and Certain Nevada Gaming Laws Apply to the Companys Planned Gaming Activities and Associations in Macau and Alderney.
During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company incurred $5.9 million of pre-opening and development expenses and $2.4 million of capital expenditures associated with the development of the Macau Casino Project.
Internet Gaming and Other New Business Ventures
The Company is actively pursuing the possibility of developing and operating an Internet gaming site and is currently exploring other business opportunities for expansion, including Native American gaming, and the possibility of operating casino resorts in certain foreign jurisdictions. During January 2002, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement to assess the feasibility of developing and operating an Internet gaming site. Management estimates that the Company is committed to contribute approximately $1.0 million, approximately one-third of the required capital, to the joint venture during the next year. After recovery of each partners initial capital contribution, the Company will receive 50% to 80% of the net profit of the joint venture, based upon an increasing scale of net profit (if any). The joint venture provides that the agreement will be automatically terminated should the Company fail to obtain any required regulatory approvals from the government of Alderney, the Nevada gaming authorities or any other applicable jurisdiction prior to launching its operations. During March 2003, a subsidiary of the Company received an interactive gaming license and an electronic betting center license from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. The Companys Internet and other projects are in developmental or exploratory stages and there can be no assurance that any of these ventures will prove to be attractive opportunities, or that if implemented they will be successful. The Company intends to continue to explore similar new business opportunities.
Business and Marketing Strategy
The Companys primary business objective is to provide a premium destination casino resort experience in order to drive superior returns on invested capital and to increase asset value. To achieve this objective, the Company: (i) operates a must-see destination resort; (ii) captures premium room rates through a differentiated all-suites product; (iii) drives hotel occupancy, casino use and mall shopping through the link to the Expo Center and the Congress Center; (iv) caters to a higher budget customer mix by offering a unique combination of hospitality and gaming facilities; (v) leverages the Casino Resorts premium co-branding strategy to drive revenues; and (vi) targets premium gaming customers.
Operate a "Must-See" Destination Resort
The Casino Resort, with its extensive theming, dining, shopping and entertainment, is a must-see destination located at the heart of the Strip. The Casino Resort is distinctly themed to provide visitors with the sense of being surrounded by the architecture, music, art and history of Renaissance Venice. The Venetian-themed setting along the Casino Resorts frontage on the Strip includes waterways, gondolas and replicas of Venetian landmarks, such as the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge, the Ca Doro and the Campanile Tower. The Mall features a one-quarter mile Venetian streetscape, with intimate piazza-style settings. A 630-foot canal runs along the Venetian streetscape, with gondolas and waterside cafes and crossed by authentically styled Venetian bridges. Management believes that these attractions generate significant room demand and foot traffic.
The Casino Resort has approximately 740 feet of frontage on the east side of the Strip and is located next to Harrahs and across from some of the most visited casino resorts and attractions on the Strip, including The Mirage, the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino and The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Hotel.
Capture Premium Room Rates through Differentiated All-Suites Product
The typical Hotel suite ranges in size from approximately 655 square feet to 735 square feet (compared to approximately 360 to 400 square feet on average for a standard room in competing facilities on the Strip), and consists of a sunken living/working area and a raised sleeping area with a marble bathroom; each area has its own television entertainment center. Each suite living/working area includes a sitting area and a writing desk and offers business amenities such as dual-line speakerphones, a fax machine and dataport access. The bathrooms are oversized, featuring a separate bathtub and shower, dual sinks and a telephone. In addition, the Hotel offers larger suites, including the Presidential and penthouse suites.
The Hotel offers the only all-suites product on the Strip with first-class services, amenities for business travelers, such as in-room fax machines, two phone lines and high-end resort facilities. In 2002, the Hotel was awarded the Exxon Mobil Four Star Award, Conde Nasts Best 50 Hotels in North America, AAAs Four Diamond Award and Meetings and Convention Magazines Prestigious Gold Key Award for meeting hotels in the United States. In managements experience, business and leisure travelers consider suites desirable, superior accommodations. For business travelers, the Hotels suites, which accommodate informal business meetings and social gatherings, offer guests a unique, single location in which to work and entertain in close proximity to the Expo Center and the Strip. Leisure travelers appreciate both the Hotels spacious suites and extensive facilities. The Company believes that the all-suites format, together with the Casino Resorts many other unique attributes, results in a highly differentiated destination resort product, allow for premium pricing on rooms and provide a competitive advantage over other hotel/casino properties on the Strip.
The Companys mix of hotel sales is as follows: group and convention room sales are 37.0%; hosted casino customers 12.9%; wholesale 12.2% and free and independent travelers 37.9% of total sales. The Hotels average daily room rates were $196 in 2002.
Drive Hotel Occupancy, Casino Use and Mall Shopping through the Link to the Expo Center and the Congress Center
The Casino Resort is the first themed entertainment resort in Las Vegas designed specifically to accommodate large-scale trade shows, conventions, conferences and meetings. These trade shows, conventions, conferences and meetings often draw more attendees than the Hotel can accommodate and generate additional non-Hotel traffic. The Expo Center and the Congress Center provide recurring, predictable demand for mid-week room nights from business travelers. The Companys diverse business model draws convention attendees from all parts of the United States and the world. In connection with 121 show days during 2002, approximately 933,000 visitors attended trade shows and conventions at the Expo Center. The Hotel had a mid-week occupancy rate of 93.8% in 2002 (compared to an 80.9% mid-week average occupancy rate on the Strip), due in large part to the Casino Resorts trade show and convention business. In 2001, the Hotels average daily room rate was approximately $196. Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the owner of the Expo Center markets the Casino Resort to promoters of Expo Center trade show conventions and other events as the headquarters hotel for such events. The Casino Resort offers attendees of events at the Expo Center and the Congress Center the most convenient hotel accommodations in Las Vegas.
Cater to a Higher-Budget Customer Mix by Offering a Unique Combination of Hospitality and Gaming Facilities
Management markets the Casino Resort to attract higher-budget business travelers and free and independent travelers, resulting in a higher-budget customer mix both on weekdays and on weekends. By appealing to customers in these upscale market segments, the Company has reduced its reliance on the lower-budget tour and travel market. Management believes that business travelers typically pay more for rooms and spend more on entertainment than weekday customers in other categories, such as tour groups. Management believes that the Casino Resorts central location at the heart of the Strip adjacent to the Expo Center, and its all-suites hotel product all combine to allow it to compete effectively for the higher-budget mid-week trade show, convention and meeting attendees. On both weekdays and weekends, the all-suites product at the Hotel appeals to free and independent leisure travelers and high-roller gaming customers, also segments of the travel market who spend more on rooms and entertainment.
Leverage the Casino Resort's Premium Co-Branding Strategy to Drive Revenues
The Company expects to build upon awareness of the Venetian brand by continuing to attract a unique collection of signature restaurant concepts and premier global retail brands to the Casino Resort. This strategy allows the Company to focus on its core competency of providing first-class hotel and meeting facilities while attracting additional guests and foot traffic because of its own brand name and its concentration of other premier brands. The Casino Resort has been designed such that foot traffic from the Strip, the Expo Center, the Congress Center and the Hotel are funneled through the Casino floor in order to attract and retain a broad base of Casino patrons. The Company seeks to maximize guest spending from the Casino Resorts target markets by offering a concentration of fine restaurants, exclusive boutiques, the Canyon Ranch health spa and the 50,000 square foot entertainment complex, C2K. Several well-known restaurateurs operate signature restaurants on the premises, such as Emeril Lagasses Delmonico and Wolfgang Pucks Postrio. The Mall includes premium branded retailers such as Mikimoto and Burberry and nationally recognized retailers such as Banana Republic, Kenneth Cole and Brookstone. In addition, the Casino Resort includes the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, which houses various art exhibits in conjunction with the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The co-branding strategy enhances the Casino Resorts appeal to the higher budget room guests. The Company believes that the Casino Resorts premier location on the Strip, its extensive theming as well as its established and growing concentration of signature restaurant concepts and premier global retail brands have been an effective strategy for driving revenues and the awareness of the Venetian brand. The Company expects to build upon the Venetians brand awareness to provide continued revenue growth opportunities from retail and restaurants to drive Hotel room rates and Casino patronage.
Target Premium Gaming Customers
Management believes that the Casino Resorts all-suites product, themed atmosphere and high-end amenities, including premium restaurants and shops, offer gaming customers a unique Las Vegas experience. The Company actively markets the Casino to frequent premium gaming customers. In particular, the Company seeks to attract high roller gaming customers by offering premium suites and special hotel services. Because of the all-suites format in the Hotel, the Casino Resort is able to offer many gaming customers complimentary suites (considered premium accommodations in Las Vegas) during high occupancy periods, such as weekends and holidays, when they would not be offered such suites by the Companys competitors. The Casino Resort is the only all-suites resort on the Strip with facilities and amenities designed to attract premium gaming customers. The premium gaming customers generally require the issuance of casino credit and in some instances pre-arranged discounts of losses.
The Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas is one of the fastest-growing and largest entertainment markets in the country. Las Vegas hotel occupancy rates are among the highest of any major market in the United States. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (the LVCVA), the number of visitors traveling to Las Vegas has increased at a steady and significant rate for the last ten years from 21.9 million visitors in 1992 to 35.1 million visitors in 2002, a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. In addition, the population of Las Vegas has grown from approximately 850,000 in 1992 to approximately 1,550,000 in 2002, a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. Management believes that the growth in the Las Vegas market has been enhanced by a dedicated program of the LVCVA and major Las Vegas hotels to promote Las Vegas as an exciting vacation and convention site, the increased capacity of McCarran International Airport and the introduction of large, themed destination resorts in Las Vegas.
Although visitation, demand and expectations may be impacted by international and domestic events and other factors and conditions, the Company expects hotel occupancy rates in Las Vegas to remain high as a result of the sustained growth in the number of visitors traveling to Las Vegas and the lack of new construction in Las Vegas, other than Le Reve, an approximately 2,500 room resort to be built on the site of the former Desert Inn, one block north of the Casino Resort on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue, and anticipated to open in April 2005.
Las Vegas as a Trade Show, Convention and Meeting Destination
In 2002, according to the LVCVA, Las Vegas was the most popular trade show destination (with a 25% market share of the Trade Show Week 200 Shows in terms of net square footage) and the fourth most popular convention destination in the United States. In 1992, approximately 2.0 million persons attended trade shows and conventions in Las Vegas and spent approximately $1.7 billion. In 2002, the number of trade show and convention attendees had increased to 5.1 million and the amount spent by trade show and convention attendees was approximately $5.9 billion.
Trade shows are held for the purpose of getting sellers and buyers of products or services together in order to conduct business. Trade shows differ from conventions in that trade shows typically require substantial amounts of space for exhibition purposes and participant circulation. Conventions generally are gatherings of companies or groups that require less space for breakout meetings and general meetings of the overall group. Las Vegas offers trade shows and conventions a unique infrastructure for handling the worlds largest shows, including the concentration of 48,000 hotel rooms located on the Strip, three convention centers (the Expo Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and the Las Vegas Convention Center (the LVCC)) with a total of approximately 6.9 million square feet of convention and exhibition space, convenient air service from major cities throughout the United States and other countries, and significant entertainment attractions. In addition to the Expo Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and the LVCC, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has a conference and meeting facility of approximately 300,000 gross square feet, and the Mirage has a 100,000 gross square feet of meeting space. Mandalay Bay opened its approximately 1.8 million square foot convention center during January 2003. Management believes that Las Vegas will continue to evolve as the countrys preferred trade show and convention destination.
Expanding Hotel Market
During 2002, Las Vegas was among the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. Las Vegas has experienced a period of rapid hotel development with the number of hotel and motel rooms in Las Vegas increasing by 65% over the last 10 years, from 76,923 in 1992 to 126,787 in 2002. The Company expects that the concentration of quality themed casino hotels and resorts will increase visitor interest in Las Vegas as a business event and vacation destination, and, as a result, increase overall demand for hotel rooms, gaming and entertainment.
Growth of Las Vegas Retail Sector and Non-Gaming Revenue Expenditures
In order to draw additional visitors, an increasing number of destination resorts are developing non-gaming entertainment to complement their gaming activities. According to the LVCVA, while gaming revenues have increased from $4.4 billion in 1992 to $7.6 billion in 2002 (a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%), non-gaming tourist revenues increased from $10.2 billion to $23.8 billion over the same period (a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%). The newer, large themed Las Vegas destination resorts have been designed to capitalize on this growth by providing better quality hotel rooms at higher rates and by providing expanded shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities to their patrons in addition to gaming.
Infrastructure Improvements
Clark County and metropolitan Las Vegas have completed several infrastructure improvements to accommodate the increase in travel to Las Vegas by all modes of transportation. According to the LVCVA, in 2002 visitors to Las Vegas arrived by the following methods of transportation: 45% by air; 40% by auto; 8% by recreational vehicle; and 7% by bus.
McCarran International Airport Expansion
During the past five years, the facilities of McCarran International Airport have been expanded to accommodate the increased number of airlines and passengers that it services. The number of passengers traveling through McCarran International Airport has increased from 20.9 million in 1992 to 35.0 million in 2002. Long-term expansion plans for McCarran International Airport provide for additional runway and related areas (a new runway was completed in October 1997 and a new terminal and additional gates were completed in 1998).
Competition
The casino/hotel industry is highly competitive. Strip hotels compete with other hotels on the Strip and with other hotels in downtown Las Vegas. The Casino Resort also competes with a large number of hotels and motels near Las Vegas. Many of the Companys competitors are subsidiaries or divisions of large public companies and may have greater financial and other resources than the Company.
Hotel/Casino Properties
Competitors of the Casino Resort include themed resorts on the Strip, such as The Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and Paris. In November 2002, Steve Wynn began construction of the Le Reve. Le Reve is a 2,500 hotel-room resort and casino being constructed on the site of the former Desert Inn located on Sands Avenue across from the site of the anticipated Phase II Resort, with an expected completion date of April 2005. During 2002, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio each announced the planned construction of 1,000 hotel room additions. Management is not aware of any other new significant developments of casino properties in Las Vegas in the near future. The Casino Resort may also compete with the Phase II Resort, to the extent its business is not complementary to that of the Casino Resort.
The Company believes that themed resorts are generally more successful at generating higher traffic volumes and higher revenues and operating income than the large-scale non-themed properties in Las Vegas. Themed resorts compete on the basis of the quality of theming, as well as on more traditional bases, such as quality of rooms, pricing and location. Themed resorts tend to be clustered on the Strip, creating a critical mass of entertainment experiences which generate significant traffic for the themed resorts as a group, thereby capturing a larger portion of the Las Vegas hotel and gaming market than non-themed properties. The Company believes that the existence of other themed resorts in close proximity to the Casino Resort directly benefits the Casino Resort. The Casino Resort is part of a cluster of themed properties, which includes The Mirage, the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, The Bellagio and The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Hotel, and may in the future also include Le Reve and the Phase II Resort.
In addition to the advantages of being a centrally-located, themed resort, the Cooperation Agreement and the Casino Resorts direct connection with the Expo Center provide the Casino Resort with a unique tie-in to one of the premier trade show and convention facilities in the United States. With these competitive advantages, the Casino Resort is positioned to appeal to the mid-week meeting, trade show and convention market composed of customers who pay higher average room rates and have higher average travel budgets than other categories of weekday customers, such as tour groups.
The hotel-casino operation of the Casino Resort also competes, to some extent, with other hotel-casino facilities in Nevada and in Atlantic City, hotel/casino and other resort facilities elsewhere in the country and the world, Internet gaming web sites and state lotteries. In addition, certain states have legalized, and others may legalize, casino gaming in specific areas. The passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, for example, has led to rapid increases in Native American gaming operations. Such proliferation of gaming venues could significantly and adversely affect the business of the Company. In particular, the legalization of casino gaming in or near major metropolitan areas, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston, from which the Company attracts customers, could have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company. In October 2001, the New York legislature approved a bill for expanded casino gaming on Native American reservations in that state. The expansion of gaming in New York could also have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company.
Trade Show and Convention Facilities
The Expo Center, the Congress Center and Las Vegas generally compete with trade show and convention facilities located in and around major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Orlando. Within Las Vegas, the Expo Center and the Congress Center compete with the LVCC, which is located off the Strip and currently has 3.2 million gross square feet of convention and exhibit facilities, including over 1.0 million square feet of new meeting and exhibition space that was added in 2001 (the LVCC Expansion). In addition to the LVCC competition, Mandalay Bay opened an approximately 1.8 million square foot convention center during January 2003. The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has a conference and meeting facility of approximately 300,000 square feet and the Mirage has a 100,000 gross square feet of meeting space. The conference and meeting facilities at these hotel/resorts are the Congress Centers primary competition. The Company expects that the LVCC and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will be the primary competitors of the Expo Center. To the extent that any of the competitors of the Casino Resort can offer a hotel/casino experience that is integrated with substantial trade show and convention, conference and meeting facilities, the Casino Resorts competitive advantage in attracting trade show and convention meeting and conference attendees could be adversely affected. Other cities such as Boston, Orlando and Pittsburgh are also in the process of developing, or have announced plans to develop, convention centers and other meeting, trade and exhibition facilities. The Companys competitors discussed above could in the long term materially adversely affect the Company.
Mall
The Mall competes with both themed resorts, which offer shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities to their patrons, and other retail malls in or near Las Vegas. The Malls direct competition includes The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and The Desert Passage Shops at the Aladdin. Park Place Entertainment Corp. recently announced an approximately a 200,000 square-foot expansion of The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The Mall also competes with The Fashion Show Mall, a more traditional mall located near the Casino Resort, which is currently undergoing an expansion that will almost double its size. In the future, the Mall may also compete with the planned retail, dining and entertainment facilities in the Phase II Resort. Mandalay Resort Group had also announced, but has since suspended, the development of a retail center near its new Mandalay Bay Resort.
Macau
In Macau, the Company expects to compete with the other two parties granted casino licenses, which are a group led by Steve Wynn and a group led by Stanley Ho, who, at that time, held Macaus only existing casino license. The Company also expects to compete with its partners in the Galaxy Casino Company Limited joint venture.
Advertising and Marketing
The Company advertises in many types of media, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines and billboards, to promote general market awareness of the Casino Resort as a unique vacation, business and convention destination due to its first-class hotel, casino, retail stores and restaurants. The Mall tenants also pursue their own general advertising and promotional activity, which benefits the Mall. The Company actively engages in direct marketing which is targeted at specific market segments, such as the meeting, convention and trade show market and the premium gaming market, and database marketing which focuses on high-frequency, high-margin market segments such as the high-roller gaming market. The Company uses a preview center featuring a full-scale model suite in the Expo Center to market Casino Resort and Expo Center events.
Agreements Relating to the Casino Resort
As of December 31, 1999, construction of the Casino Resort and the Mall was complete and virtually all construction costs had been paid. The Company is currently involved in various lawsuits, has asserted various claims against various parties, and has had various claims asserted against it by various parties, in connection with the construction of the Casino Resort. The Company is vigorously pursuing these claims and vigorously defending itself in all relevant legal proceedings. See Item 3 Legal Proceedings.
Cooperation Agreement
The Companys business plan calls for each of the Casino Resort, the Mall, the Expo Center and if built, the Phase II Resort, though separately owned, to be integrally-related components of one facility. In establishing the terms for the integrated operation of these components, the Cooperation Agreement sets forth agreements regarding, among other things, encroachments, easements, operating standards, maintenance requirements, insurance requirements, casualty and condemnation, joint marketing, the construction of the Phase II Resort, and the sharing of some facilities and related costs. Subject to applicable law, the Cooperation Agreement binds all current and future owners of the Expo Center, the Casino Resort, the Mall and the Phase II Resort (and the land on which the Phase II Resort is expected to be built), and has priority over the liens securing the Companys new credit facility and the Companys 11% mortgage notes due 2010 (the Mortgage Notes) and any liens securing any indebtedness of the Mall, the Expo Center or Phase II Resort. Accordingly, subject to applicable law, the obligations in the Cooperation Agreement will run with the land if any of the components change hands.
Operating Covenants
The Cooperation Agreement regulates certain aspects of the operation of the Expo Center, the Mall and the Casino Resort. For example, Under the Cooperation Agreement, the Company is obligated to operate the Casino Resort continuously and to use it exclusively in accordance with standards of first-class Las Vegas Boulevard style hotels, casinos and retail and restaurant complexes. In turn, the New Mall Subsidiary is obligated to operate the Mall exclusively in accordance with standards of first-class restaurant and retail complexes, and Interface is obligated to operate and to use the Expo Center exclusively in accordance with standards of first-class convention, trade show and exposition centers. The Cooperation Agreement also provides that the Company will not and the New Mall Subsidiary will not (and will not permit any other person to) own, operate, lease, license or manage any building or other facility, at or in the Casino Resort, Phase II Resort, the Mall or the land on which the Casino Resort, the Phase II Resort or the Mall sits, that provides space for shows or expositions of the type generally held at the Expo Center. The Company will be able to conduct or permit to be conducted at the meeting and conference space that is a part of the Phase IA Addition, and at the Phase II Resort, tradeshows or expositions of the type generally held at the Expo Center so long as such space is at most 125,000 square feet, and the Company enters into preferred reservation system agreements with Interface that will govern the booking of exposition and tradeshows in the Phase IA Addition meeting space and in the Phase II Resort, and agreements for Interface to provide audio-visual, telecommunications, electrical, janitorial and other related services to group customers of the Phase IA Addition meeting space or the Phase II Resort. See Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Preferred Reservation System Agreement and Meeting Services Agreement.
Additionally, until December 31, 2010, Interface, upon the Companys request, will use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Casino Resort designated as the headquarters hotel for trade show and convention events at the Expo Center. In turn, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to promote the use and occupancy of the Expo Center.
Further, Interface agreed under the Cooperation Agreement that, until such time as the indebtedness under the Mortgage Notes has been paid in full, Interface will not incur additional debt secured by the Expo Center if such additional debt will cause the aggregate indebtedness secured by the Expo Center to exceed the greater of 85% of the then fair market value of the Expo Center or $140.0 million plus any additional amounts permitted to be advanced for equipment leases or equipment financings under the terms of the mortgages encumbering the Expo Center in 1997.
In addition, subject to certain exceptions, until December 31, 2010, Interface will not voluntarily dispose of its interest in the Expo Center and interest in Interface, except to a buyer of the Casino Resort.
Maintenance and Repair
Venetian must maintain the Casino Resort as well as some common areas and common facilities that are to be shared with the Mall and the Expo Center. The cost of maintenance of all shared common areas and common facilities is to be shared by the Company, the New Mall Subsidiary and Interface. The New Mall Subsidiary must maintain, repair and restore the Mall and all common areas and common facilities located in the Mall, and Interface must maintain, repair and restore the Expo Center and all common areas and common facilities located in the Expo Center.
Insurance
The owners of the Casino Resort, the owner of the Mall and the owner of the Expo Center must also maintain minimum types and levels of insurance, including property damage, general liability and business interruption insurance.
The Cooperation Agreement establishes an insurance trustee to assist in the implementation of the insurance requirements.
The Cooperation Agreement provides that in the event of a casualty affecting all or part of the Casino Resort, the Expo Center or the Mall, then (a) all insurance proceeds above $1.5 million shall be paid to an insurance trustee to be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the cooperation agreement and (b) the owners of the affected properties will (subject to certain conditions in the case of the Expo Center) agree to permit such proceeds to be used to restore such property as nearly as reasonably possible to its condition immediately preceding the casualty; provided, however, that no mortgagee of a damaged property shall be required to permit such application of the resulting insurance proceeds unless within 90 days after the casualty (a) the mortgagee receives an opinion from an independent expert to the effect the damaged property may be completed within one year after the delivery of the opinion and (b) the mortgagee receives evidence that the insurance proceeds (together with any other funds committed by the owner) are sufficient to cover the anticipated costs of the restoration (including scheduled debt service payments through the anticipated date of completion of the restorations). If the owner of the affected property is unable to satisfy the foregoing conditions, then the owners equitable share of the insurance proceeds shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of its mortgage(s).
In the event of a condemnation of a part of the Casino Resort, a part of the Mall or a part of the Expo Center, the Cooperation Agreement requires that the affected owner restore the affected property as nearly as reasonably possible to its condition at the time of the partial condemnation less the portion condemned.
The Cooperation Agreement also requires that insurance proceeds payable in connection with a casualty that is the result of a terrorist act be allocated equitably among the Casino Resort, the Mall and the Expo Center in accordance with the damages suffered by each so long as (a) proceeds in an amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) $105 million, (ii) the cost of restoring the Mall and the rental income lost by the Mall as a result of the terrorist act (and covered by such insurance), and (iii) the total amount of such insurance proceeds, are paid first to the mortgagee of the Mall, and (b) proceeds in an amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) $137 million, (ii) the cost of restoring the Expo Center and the income lost by the Expo Center as a result of the terrorist act (and covered by such insurance, and (iii) the total amount of such insurance proceeds, are paid second to the mortgagee of the Expo Center. The mortgagee of the Mall also has the benefit of $15 million of terrorism coverage that is solely for the benefit of the Mall property.
Parking
The Cooperation Agreement also addresses issues relating to the use of the Casino Resorts parking facilities, the use of parking facilities planned in connection with the Phase II Resort and easements for access. The Casino Resort, the Mall and the Expo Center may use the parking spaces in the Casino Resorts parking garage on a first come, first served basis, as long as each property retains use of sufficient spaces to comply with minimum parking standards. This means that each property uses sufficient spaces to comply with applicable laws to conduct its business. The Casino Resorts parking garage is owned, maintained, and operated by the Company, with the operating costs allocated among the Company, the Mall and Interface. After the completion of the parking garage planned to be built in connection with the Phase II Resort, the Casino Resort, the Mall and the Expo Center will have the right to use the Phase II Resort parking garage, with the operating costs allocated among each facility. All property owners have granted each other non-exclusive easements and rights to use the roadways and walkways on their properties for vehicular and pedestrian access to the parking garages.
Utility Easements
All property owners have also granted each other all appropriate and necessary easement rights to utility lines servicing the Casino Resort, the Phase II Resort and the Expo Center.
Relations between the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort
The Company must approve the plans and specifications (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) for all portions of the Phase II Resort that will connect with or adjoin the Casino Resort prior to the commencement of construction of the Phase II Resort. The owner of the Phase II Resort must use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize such constructions interference with the operation of the Casino Resort.
Additionally, prior to construction of the Phase II Resort, there must be agreement on:
| | appropriate mutual operating covenants for the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; |
| | joint marketing and advertising of the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; |
| | certain shared casino operations at the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; |
| | the sharing of customer information regarding the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; |
| | the joint purchasing of insurance for the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; |
| | shared security operations for the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort; and |
| | any other matters that would be of mutual benefit in owning and operating the Casino Resort and the Phase II Resort. |
Coordinated Relations with HVAC Provider
As discussed under HVAC Services Agreement and Related Documents, the owners of the Casino Resort, the Mall, the Expo Center and the Phase II Resort have or will have separate services agreements with Sempra Energy Solutions (the HVAC Provider), the provider of thermal energy.
The Cooperation Agreement provides mechanisms for these parties to deal with the HVAC Provider in a coordinated manner. In particular, the cooperation agreement establishes conditions for the owner of the Phase II Resort receiving thermal energy services from the HVAC Plant. These conditions include the payment by the owner of the Phase II Resort of all incremental costs attributable to such services and any additional capital improvements required for such services.
The Cooperation Agreement also provides mechanisms for the owners of the various properties to make decisions regarding the termination or extension of the HVAC services agreements. In general, these provisions permit a property owner that is not receiving adequate HVAC services to replace the HVAC Provider, as long as the property owner:
| | arranges for an experienced substitute utility operator to take over operation of the HVAC Plant; and |
| | indemnifies the other property owners against additional payment obligations arising as a consequence of the termination of the previous operator of the HVAC Plant. |
Consents, Approvals and Disputes
If any property owner has a consent or approval right or has discretion to act or refrain from acting, consent or approval will only be granted and action will be taken or not taken only if a commercially reasonable owner would do so and such consent, approval, action or inaction would not have a material adverse effect on the property owned by such property owner. The Cooperation Agreement provides for the appointment of an independent expert to resolve some disputes between the parties, as well as for expedited arbitration for other disputes.
HVAC Services Agreement and Related Documents
Sempra Energy Solutions, successor to Atlantic Pacific Las Vegas, LLC, is a California company and is beneficially owned by Sempra Energy, a utility holding company.
Thermal energy (i.e., heating and air conditioning) is provided to the Casino Resort and the Expo Center by the HVAC Provider using certain heating and air conditioning-related and other equipment (the HVAC Equipment). In addition, the HVAC Provider provides the Company with other energy-related services. The central HVAC Plant is located on land owned by the Company, which land and HVAC Plant have been leased to the HVAC Provider for a nominal annual rent. The HVAC Equipment is owned by the HVAC Provider, and the HVAC Provider has been granted appropriate easements and other rights so as to be able to use the HVAC Plant and the HVAC Equipment to supply thermal energy to the Casino Resort and the Expo Center (and, potentially, other buildings), so long as such easements do not materially interfere with the operations of the Casino Resort and the Expo Center. The HVAC Provider paid all costs (HVAC Costs) in connection with the purchase and installation of the HVAC Equipment, which costs totaled $70 million. The HVAC Provider has entered into separate service contracts (collectively, the HVAC Service Agreements) with: (i) Venetian; (ii) Interface; and (iii) the predecessor to the New Mall Subsidiary, for the provision of heat and cooling requirements at agreed-to rates. The charges payable by all users include a fixed component that enables the HVAC Provider to recover 85% of the HVAC Costs over the initial term of the service contracts, with interest at a fixed annual rate of 7.1%. In addition, the users reimburse the HVAC Provider for the annual cost of operating and maintaining the HVAC Equipment and providing certain other energy related services, and pay the HVAC Provider a management fee of $500,000 per year. Each user is allocated a portion of the total agreed-to charges and fees through its service contract, which portion includes paying 100% of the cost of services in connection with the HVAC Equipment relating solely to such user. Each user is not liable for the obligations of the other users; provided, however, that the New Mall Subsidiary is liable for the obligations of each Mall tenant. The HVAC Service Agreements expire in 2009, at which time the users will have the right, but not the obligation, to collectively either extend the term of their agreements for two consecutive periods of five years each or purchase the HVAC Equipment in accordance with purchase provisions set forth in the HVAC Service Agreements.
The Companys rights under the HVAC Service Agreements and related documents were collaterally assigned to The Bank of Nova Scotia, as agent for the lenders under the Companys senior secured credit facility entered into on June 4, 2002 (the Senior Secured Credit Facility) and the holders of the Mortgage Notes as security for its obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Mortgage Notes, and the Malls rights under the HVAC Services Agreement and related documents were collaterally assigned to Archon Financial, L.P. as lender under the secured mall facility that the Company is a party to (the Secured Mall Facility). The HVAC Provider has consented to the Companys collateral assignment pursuant to a consent and agreement agreed to by the HVAC Provider. Under the HVAC consent and agreement, the HVAC Provider has agreed: (i) to acknowledge that the Company has granted a security interest in its agreements with the HVAC Provider; (ii) under certain conditions, to recognize the Companys secured lenders rights to step in to the Companys rights under these agreements, and to keep from exercising termination and other rights for a time; (iii) not to terminate these agreements or to consent to any termination or suspension of these agreements without written notice to The Bank of Nova Scotia, as agent for the lenders, and providing the Companys secured lenders an opportunity to correct any default or breach that the Company commits; (iv) under certain conditions, to consent to the transfer of the Companys interest to any of the secured lenders or a purchaser or grantee at a foreclosure sale and to any purchasers in lieu of foreclosure; and (v) that in the event one or more of the service contracts is rejected in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, to execute and deliver to the secured lenders a new contract that is on the same terms and conditions as the original HVAC Service Agreements.
Mall Management Contract
The predecessor to the New Mall Subsidiary has entered into an agreement with Forest City Enterprises (Forest City), a subsidiary of Forest City Ratner Enterprises, a leading developer and manager of retail and commercial real estate developments, whereby Forest City manages the Mall and supervises and assists in the creation of an advertising and promotional program and a marketing plan for the Mall. Forest City is also responsible for, among other things, preparation of a detailed plan for the routine operation of the Mall, collection and deposit procedures for rents and other tenant charges, supervision of maintenance and repairs and, on an annual basis, preparation of a detailed budget (including any anticipated nonrecurring expenses and capital expenditures) for the Mall. The term of the management contract is five years from June 19, 1999, the date the Mall opened to the public. Forest City currently receives a management fee of 2% of all gross rents received from the operation of the Mall, provided that Forest City receives a minimum fee of $600,000 per year. Forest City is not affiliated with the Principal Stockholder or any of his affiliates.
Agreements Related to the Macau Casino Construction
The Company has entered into preliminary contracts in Macau for architectural and engineering services and for site work to construct the Macau Casino. The Company plans to enter into other contracts during 2003 to complete construction of the Macau Casino by February 2004. The Company expects to enter into a construction management agreement