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Borgata to Increase Workforce by 25 Percent

Since opening in July 2003, Borgata has been the clear leader in the Atlantic City market, maintaining the top-grossing casino position for 41 of the last 42 months. Currently employing over 5,000 associates, Borgata acknowledges the value of its workforce, as a key to its success.

"The human factor is vital to Borgata's success," said Larry Mullin, president and chief operating officer for Borgata. "We realize that our associates have truly made Borgata the destination it is today and have been the driving force behind our success. We are determined to grow our workforce with the same resolve we have grown the Borgata brand."

Borgata's overall operating philosophy is built on four distinct principles: Position (the brand), Product (the property and its amenities), Processes (delivering superior customer service) and People (the right employees).

"It is the People principle that truly brings our entire philosophy to life," said Mullin. "It is their commitment along with the confluence of the position, product, people, and processes that has made Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Atlantic City's market leader."

Finding the Best

Beginning this month, Borgata will begin its search to fill the 1,500 new positions, which range from entry level to management. A good portion of the new jobs will be in Food & Beverage as the Phase I expansion, scheduled for completion in Q2 2006, will include the opening of three high-end restaurants -- Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Bobby Flay Steak, and SEABLUE, by award-winning chef Michael Mina -- along with eight quick-service dining options.

"Borgata has forever changed the standards of fine dining in Atlantic City and continues to be on the cutting-edge, attracting world-class names within the industry," says Ron Ross, executive chef for Borgata. "For those interested in pursuing a career in food and beverage, in an environment that is uniquely challenging and fun, Borgata offers its associates opportunities for personal development and upward mobility at all levels."

The addition of 36,120 square feet of casino floor space, including 36 table games, more than 500 slot machines and an 85-table poker room will also create the need for an additional 500 dealers, 250 of which will be poker specific.

Borgata will market these positions with print, radio and billboard advertisements that urge prospective associates to "Work Some Place Different." Borgata recruiters will also create a strong presence at upcoming job fairs at regional colleges and universities inviting candidates to learn about the Borgata difference and apply for positions at BorgataJobs.com.

Borgata will have a mobile recruitment center, fully equipped with Internet-ready technology, clad in the Borgata logo. The recruitment van, provided by the Youth Investment Council of the Atlantic Cape May Workforce Investment Board, will travel to local business and employment centers equipped with eight computers connected to BorgataJobs.com via satellite. The van will be staffed with recruiters who will conduct brief on-the-spot interviews measuring candidates against the five criteria that characterize the ideal Borgata associate, known as the "Five Fs" -- Fast, Fun, Friendly, Fresh and Focused.

As another means of enhancing Borgata's workforce along with the surrounding community, Borgata remains invested in the Atlantic City Jobs & Opportunities Program -- a $2 million employee training program instituted by Boyd Gaming Corporation and MGM MIRAGE -- which offers unemployed and underemployed Atlantic City residents the opportunity to train for new jobs, learn new professional skills and discover better employment opportunities.

"While not designed solely for the benefit of Borgata, this program improves the quality of Atlantic City's workforce overall, and thereby improves our pool of candidates," says Eric Reynolds, vice president of Atlantic City Jobs & Opportunities.

The Borgata Difference

Since its opening, Borgata has worked not only to attract new associates, but also to satisfy and advance its current associates, says Cassie Fireman, vice president of talent. "Borgata offers its associates more than just a paycheck," says Fireman. "We know that associate satisfaction is directly linked to customer satisfaction, and we are deeply invested in maintaining both."

Borgata associate benefits include onsite parking, personal voicemail and email (an initiative that was never before done in the casino hotel industry), as well as extensive "heart of the house" facilities, where associates can rest, watch television on several plasma screen televisions, check-in with children at home, access email in the computer lounge or utilize the convenience store, complete with the quick-stop essentials before they head home.

As a means of monitoring associate satisfaction, Borgata conducts annual Associate Satisfaction Surveys that ask associates to comment on such things as the Borgata culture, supervisors, compensation and promotions. The surveys are then reviewed by Talent Services and recommendations are made to each department on how to make improvements. "This ongoing dialogue helps us to better understand our associates' needs and desires, which will in turn enable them to do their job better," says Fireman.

Borgata has also initiated the Talent Tip Program, an on-the-spot awards program that recognizes positive associate performance with such rewards as restaurant or spa gift certificates.

Associates at Borgata are included in the excitement of the casino's generous promotions and sweepstakes. In early December 2005, Borgata launched its biggest giveaway ever -- the PowerPrize Jackpot. Every time the jackpot hits, one Borgata associate will be randomly selected to win an extra one percent of the total PowerPrize Jackpot amount, ranging from $100,000 to $150,000, courtesy of Borgata.

Borgata also offers several training programs aimed at developing and growing talent in-house. The Sed de Saber "Thirst for Knowledge" program is a year-long English language program for Spanish-speaking associates. There are currently 98 Borgata associates enrolled in the program, which utilizes Leap Frog technology in a take-home format as well as on-site classes facilitated by the Atlantic Cape Community College.

Miguel Guzman, a cook in Borgata's production kitchen, has been employed by Borgata since its opening and is grateful for the opportunities that he has received, including participation in a semester-long bilingual culinary program. "Borgata has been extremely supportive of my goals," says Guzman.

"There is plenty of room to grow here and the management works hard to make it happen. I look forward to the upcoming expansion and the new opportunities that it will bring."

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