CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 31, 2013: Investment in the Caribbean region is bringing together a unique coalition for Caribbean American Heritage Month this June, as the United States, China and the Caribbean unite for Invest Caribbean Now 2013.

The sold out Forum on June 5th at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in New York City, comes on the heels of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s Caribbean trip on May 28^th for the signing of the United States – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA) and the first visit to Trinidad & Tobago by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will take place from May 31 to June 2.

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs at the Consulate of China in New York will headline a panel on China’s growing interests in the Caribbean. Other panelists will include Jianxin Lin, chairman of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA); and Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC). The Sino-American Friendship Association (SAFA) will present the panel, which will be supported by ACCDA and the CABDC and moderated by Martin Mohabeer, managing director of Spackman Group, a Hong-Kong based venture capital firm.

As well, Anthony Eterno, of the Office of Caribbean Affairs in the Western Hemisphere Division in the U.S. State Department, will discuss key issues regarding American investment in the Caribbean Additionally, US-based; Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd will discuss its investments in the Caribbean region before an audience that will include over a dozen Caribbean premiers and ministers of government.

In 2012, U.S. imports from Caribbean countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative totalled more than $11 billion, representing a 178 percent increase over the past decade. U.S. exports equalled nearly $12 billion, representing a 133 percent increase over the past decade.

In 2011, China announced it would lend $6.3 billion to Caribbean governments, adding considerably to the hundreds of millions of dollars in loans, grants and other forms of economic assistance it has already channelled in the past decade.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

Speakers and panellists confirmed for ICN 2013 are:

Anthony Eterno, U.S. State Department, Office of Caribbean Affairs, Western Hemisphere;

Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier Turks & Caicos Islands, (TCI);

Washington Misick, Finance Minister, Turks & Caicos Islands;

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO) and Commissioner Tourism, USVI;

Alan Lowenstein, managing director, Wedgewood Investment Group;

E. Jay Saunders, CEO, Digicel TCI;

Heather Floissac, managing director, Belle Vue Properties, Ltd;

Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television;

Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International;

Miguel Reyna, director, port business development and asset management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.;

Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director, Avalon Partners;

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York;

Jianxin Lin, chairman of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA);

Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC);

Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director, Hard Beat Communications;

Felicia Persaud, CMO, Hard Beat Communications.

Other government attendees will include:

Premier Dr. Orlando Smith of the British Virgin Islands;

John Percy de Jongh, Jr,   Governor, US Virgin Islands;

Chief Minister Hubert Hughes of Anguilla;

Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, St. Kitts;

Lorne Theophilus, Minister Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia;

Stephen Cadiz, Minister Tourism, Trinidad & Tobago;

Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago;

Mark Brantley, Minister Tourism, Nevis;

Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner St. Eustatius;

John Maginley, tourism minister of Antigua & Barbuda;

Damion Crawford, minister of state, Jamaica;

Maryse Noel of Haiti

and Hugh Riley, secretary general, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO).

Private sector representatives will include senior executives from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd., One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI, Scotiabank TCI and Sun Realty among others.

2013 media partners include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter, The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

For more, log on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

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Distinctive my choice ® Program Offers Guests Unmatched Choice of Iconic Benefits: Atlantis, Paradise Island Joins Mercedes-Benz Automobiles, Wynn Las Vegas, Royal Caribbean Cruises as Premier Options for Players

LAS VEGAS, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: PNK) today announced it is offering players a wealth of extraordinary benefits in its mychoice guest loyalty program. Just one year after enhancing the program, Pinnacle is now offering an innovative new benefit: annual trips to Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas. Atlantis joins an array of iconic brands already available to mychoice members such as the opportunity to earn an annual lease on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, cruises on Royal Caribbean International and stays at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55465-pinnacle-entertainment-mychoice-casino-rewards-program

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120430/MM96119 )

“Our steadfast focus remains on exceeding our guest’s expectations and truly rewarding their loyalty,” said Pinnacle Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Sanfilippo. “One of the many features that make the mychoice program special is that our guests design it every time they choose their own custom gifts and inspiring experiences from an unprecedented roster of world-class brands. It really is their program and we show our appreciation by offering rewards tailor-made to them; it gives choice a whole new meaning.”

“Atlantis is excited to be partnering with Pinnacle Entertainment’s mychoice loyalty program,” said George Markantonis, President/Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas.  “We are looking forward to welcoming their guests to the Atlantis family, offering unprecedented amenities including the largest casino in the Caribbean, beautiful white-sand beaches, world-class dining experiences and more.” 

As a new Pinnacle partner for 2012, Atlantis Resort offers an unparalleled casino experience including the Caribbean’s largest casino with a variety of 750 slots and over 90 table games, outdoor gaming at Cain at The Cove as well as a high-energy Race and Sports Book.

Pinnacle’s most loyal guests earn a place in The Owner’s Club and may apply for membership in the Owner’s Club Stock Program. Accepted guests will receive an award of 100 shares of Pinnacle common stock.  Existing Owner’s Club members may now also choose from a selection of luxury timepieces, a lease on a Mercedes-Benz sedan, SUV or convertible or an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime trip such as the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy or an adventurous cruise featuring exotic ports of call throughout Asia.

All mychoice members earn tier points based on the games they play, the duration they play and the average bet they make. To maximize the program’s value and flexibility, casino play earns more than points toward a specific tier; it also earns members mycash rewards, which can be used for the benefits that guests enjoy most – slot play, dining, shopping, hotel stays, cash back or a combination thereof. 

In addition to the aforementioned rewards, the enhanced mychoice program features guaranteed monthly mycash multipliers, invitations to private VIP events, priority restaurant seating, VIP lounge access, personal casino hosting, preferred hotel booking and check-in and VIP seating for many high-demand entertainment events. A full description of the program is available at www.pinnaclemychoice.com.

About Pinnacle Entertainment
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates six casinos, located in Louisiana, Missouri, and Indiana, and a racetrack in Ohio.  In addition, Pinnacle is developing L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge, and holds a 26% ownership stake in Asian Coast Development (Canada) Ltd. (ACDL), an international development and real estate company currently developing Vietnam’s first large-scale integrated resort on the Ho Tram Strip.

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PNK.  To learn more about Pinnacle Entertainment, please visit www.pnkinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements included in this press release, other than historical information or statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the mychoice program, the Owner’s Club and the Owners Club Stock Program, are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect future results.  Accordingly, Pinnacle cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements.  For more information on the potential factors that could affect Pinnacle’s business and financial results, review Pinnacle’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-172884) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates.  Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering.  You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.  Alternatively, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free 1-877-764-8750.

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MIAMI, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Royal Caribbean Cruises, one of Haiti’s largest foreign investors for almost 30 years, today announced its plans to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief to Haiti in response to the catastrophic earthquake in Port-Au-Prince.  Royal Caribbean will be partnering with charitable organizations – such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, and the Solano Foundation, the company’s foundation in Haiti – to provide additional assistance to the people of Haiti.  Royal Caribbean will also be delivering much needed goods and supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

 ”The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  “Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.”

 ”In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee,” Fain added.

 Leslie Voltaire, Special Envoy of the government of Haiti to the United Nations said, “Given the terrible economic and social challenges we now face in Haiti, we welcome the continuation of the positive economic benefits that the cruise ship calls to Labadee contribute to our country.”

 The benefits start with Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas’ call today to Labadee, Haiti, which includes much needed supplies for the country.  The supplies were loaded on the ship during its call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and include items such as rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods.  In addition, 100 percent of the company’s net revenue from the destination will be contributed to the relief effort. 

In the next two weeks, the following ships are scheduled to call on Labadee with additional supplies: Navigator of the Seas on Monday, January 18; Liberty of the Seas on Tuesday, January 19; and Celebrity Solstice on Friday, January 22.  When the supplies arrive in Labadee, they will be transported to an offsite location to be distributed by Food for the Poor, a long time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti.

 In addition to working with Food for the Poor to distribute relief supplies, guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make a donation to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their onboard account.  Guests who would like to contribute immediately can visit www.foodforthepoor.org/royalcaribbean to make a donation.  Royal Caribbean also plans to use a portion of the $1 million donation to augment the company’s Crew Relief Fund, which can be drawn on by any of the company’s more than 200 Haitian crew members for assistance, as well as to match employee contributions to the partner organizations.

 As the initial response effort gives way to the long-term recovery effort, Royal Caribbean will consider further support efforts.

 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France.  The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and four under construction.  It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America.  Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaracruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

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