Sugarhouse hosts vendor forum

Today, at the Hyatt hotel in Penn’s Landing, Sugarhouse, one of the key players for a casino in Philadelphia hosted a vendor forum. If granted a license on December 20^th, 2006, Sugarhouse will build its casino at the old Jack Frost refinery, very close to Dave and Buster’s in Penn’s Landing.

Present at the forum were several important people:

Mr. Neil Bluhm – Chairman

Mr. Greg Carlin – CEO

Mr. Jerry L. Johnson – Chairman of Radnor Trust

Mr. John Donnelly – counsel

Mr. Dan Keating - Chairman and CEO of the Keating Group

Ms. Darlene Jenkins – MSDC of PA, NJ, and DE

Ms. Delilah Winder – African Am. Chamber of Commerece

Ms. Gerri Swift – Womens Business Development Center

Mr. Bluhm made comments indicating that there could be an interim casino in 2008 if Sugarhouse is granted a license. Also – Mr. Bluhm reiterated his commitment to the Sugarhouse diversity program.

Mr. Carlin discussed the diversity plan of Sugarhouse, how the casino would not affect traffic due to its location, talked about the selection of vendors with strong indicators that minority vendors would be welcome, and the 22 acres that Sugarhouse has purchased for the casino site.

Mr. Johnson discussed the fact that Sugarhouse will be updating its website, how committed Sugarhouse is to diversity and attracting minority business from the area, and reaffirmed Sugarhouse’s commitment to the diversity plan.

Mr. Donnelly spoke about the diversity program, the need for vendors to become certified, the business plan of Sugarhouse which at this time does not use national contracts for vendors and suppliers, and how Sugarhouse operates two casinos in Ontario.

Mr. Keating discussed the site (2.2 million square feet, a 3000 car parking garage), the fact that they are currently working on the design side with schematics; no materials yet, the engagement of an architectural engineering group in the project, and some of his role as a partner/builder.

Ms. Jenkins elated to the raising of the bar and standards that Sugarhouse is currently involved in, how minority vendors need to register and be counted, how Sugarhouse is working for the area and community, and bringing suppliers into this project.

Ms. Winder, owner of Bluezette Restaurant in Philadelphia, discussed the Sugarhouse commitment to the community, and there support of vendors and suppliers. She also reaffirmed Sugarhouse's commitment to the Philadephia community.

Ms. Swift discussed how Sugarhouse’s new model of diversity will help vendors by giving them access, the strict monitoring of contract that the Women’s Business Development Center engages in, and the importance of small businesses in the community.

Not only was the forum an excellent way to meet Sugarhouse’s team of executives, it brought together many vendors and suppliers in the area and reaffirmed Sugarhouse’s commitment to diversity in the Philadelphia area.

If granted a license in December, Sugarhouse will be committed to enhance the Philadelphia area with their strong commitment to community improvement and civic leadership.