Allie Evangelista, an experienced executive in the casino gaming industry, has been appointed as the leader of the upcoming Hard Rock Casino and Resort Bristol in Virginia.
On Tuesday, the announcement was made by Hard Rock International.
Evangelista, the newly appointed president of Hard Rock Bristol, will hold a prominent position among the most influential figures within the Hard Rock Bristol organization.
Consequently, she rapidly rises to become a prominent figure in the rapidly growing Virginia casino sector.
Allie Evangelista arrives from Maryland
In 2006, Allie Evangelista embarked on her gaming journey in Missouri. Initially, she took on the role of assistant slot operations manager and swiftly climbed the corporate ladder.
Evangelista’s professional journey took her through executive roles at various casinos across different states. From Iowa to Ohio, she eventually found herself working in Maryland, where she served as the vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino Perryville.
Evangelista expressed her excitement in directing her attention towards the Bristol market, which offers abundant opportunities alongside its neighboring twin city, Bristol, Tennessee.
According to the announcement made by Evangelista,
I am eager to fully immerse myself in the Bristol community and collaborate with the numerous partners who have played a crucial role in supporting this project. Bristol, known as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music,’ is brimming with a wealth of history and culture. As someone who is passionate about exploring new and diverse opportunities, I am thrilled at the prospect of experiencing the region’s natural beauty and indulging in its abundant offerings of music, entertainment, and recreational activities. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, as a destination-resort, will perfectly complement the world-class events and attractions that attract millions of visitors to the Tri-Cities, including those in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
Lindenwood University was where Evangelista obtained her MBA, while her Master’s in Human Resources Management was earned from Washington University.
Jon Lucas, the chief operating officer of Hard Rock International, will be her reporting authority.
Evangelista’s first task: Temporary Hard Rock Bristol casino
Lucas expressed that Evangelista immediately made a strong start in their announcement.
There wasn’t a lot of choice available to her.
A casino referendum was approved by voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth in 2020. However, it is highly unlikely that the latter three cities will commence operations of their resorts before early 2025, or possibly even later.
According to officials, a temporary casino in Bristol is scheduled to open before the second quarter of 2022, while the full resort is expected to open in 2025 or 2025.
Evangelista has been appointed to supervise the reduced-scale casino-resort project situated on the former Bristol Mall premises. This development will encompass:
- There is a total of 30,000 square feet dedicated to the casino area.
- 900 gaming slots
- 20 tables
- Sportsbook
- Areas for gaming with high limits and without smoking.
- New restaurant
- Grab-and-go food outlet
- A venue that combines a sports bar and lounge, featuring various forms of entertainment.
- Smoking sports lounge
Recruitment has commenced for Hard Rock Bristol, as officials plan to hire 600 staff members for the temporary casino, and up to an additional 1,400 employees for the complete resort.
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