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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – For the second consecutive year, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming joined forces with nonprofit organization Ocean Conservancy for the Global Sound Waves joint sustainability program. This collaboration unites Hard Rock team members and communities worldwide with Ocean Conservancy’s mission of protecting the oceans by reducing waste and driving meaningful environmental change.

The partnership, motivated by one of Hard Rock's guiding mottos: Save the Planet, takes a proactive approach to ocean conservation by focusing on upstream waste management, addressing water, food, and material waste to prevent it from polluting the ocean. Through comprehensive waste audits and data-driven analysis, Hard Rock and Ocean Conservancy identify diversion opportunities and implement alternatives that set meaningful waste reduction goals across Hard Rock's global operations. 

The 2025 program included multiple waves:

•       Innovation Challenge: A contest produced 51 submissions from front-line team members from properties in 9 countries and 3 continents who identified innovative solutions to reduce waste on their properties.  

1st Place: Jefferson Cristovao, Sukanya Haughton, Erika Barrera - Seminole Classic Casino developed two programs around food waste composting and glass recycling—designed to reduce landfill impact and strengthen community partnerships.

2nd Place: Sara Mendoza - Hard Rock Hotel Maldives tackled the challenge of broken beach umbrellas, transforming them into stylish wet bags for guests, turning waste into a sustainability reminder.

3rd Place: Rodrigo Perez Castro - Hard Rock Casino Rockford gamified the reduction of single-use plastic cups, creating an engaging experience that combines entertainment with environmental responsibility.

4th Place: Jelisa Blunt - Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati proposed reusable cups with smart return technology, rewarding guests through our Unity loyalty program and reducing plastic waste in a tech-forward manner. 

•       Community Cleanup Events: From September through November, Hard Rock, Seminole Gaming, and Ocean Conservancy coordinated global community activations aimed at enhancing the environment, promoting biodiversity, and reducing waste. Properties such as Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Seminole Classic Casino, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya in Thailand, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives hosted beach clean-ups that brought 1,700+ team members, guests, communities, and local organizations together to remove pollution from nearby beaches, totaling more than 6,400 lbs. of waste collected. Examples of multi-faceted approaches include Hard Rock Casino Rockford with an e-waste collection drive, book drive, fundraiser, and neighborhood clean-up, while Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana integrated environmental education into its Kids' Club programming to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.

Additional participating properties included Hard Rock Hotels in Orlando, Daytona Beach, Goa, Bali,  Cancun, Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Vallarta,  Madrid, Marbella, Desaru Coast, and Shenzhen; Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Sacramento at Fire Mountain, Sioux City, and Atlantic City; Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, and Cincinnati; and Hard Rock Cafes in Cologne, Manchester, Milan, Venice, Nambq and Brussels.

•       Team Member Education: Over 143 team members participated in a global trivia event to build the knowledge and skills that can make a difference.

“This partnership reflects Hard Rock's deep commitment to the areas we serve, with each surrounding environment being such an important part of team member and local community life and guest experiences,” said Paul Pellizzari, Vice President of Global Social Responsibility at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “We're proud to support Ocean Conservancy's vital work protecting our oceans for future generations.”

“We're grateful for our continued partnership with Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming,” said Jenna DiPaolo, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Ocean Conservancy. “Ocean conservation requires collective action, and Hard Rock's commitment to sustainability shows the powerful impact businesses can have when they prioritize our planet.”

Visit www.hardrock.com/social-responsibility to learn more.

Media Contact

Jonathan Goldman, jgoldman@golin.com

METTLER, Calif. -- Hard Rock Casino Tejon, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, officially opens to the public following a celebratory Guitar Smash ceremony marking a historic milestone as the first full-scale gaming and entertainment property in Kern County. Located 80 miles north of Los Angeles, the $600 million project is a multi-phase investment designed to transform the region through hospitality, entertainment, and economic development.

The destination has created more than 1,000 permanent jobs and over 5,000 construction-related roles, representing the largest private hospitality investment in Kern County's history. Hard Rock Casino Tejon is expected to continue delivering lasting benefits for the local economy, tourism sector, and community development across the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

The opening was celebrated with Hard Rock's iconic Guitar Smash Ceremony, symbolizing a bold new beginning. The event featured a color guard presentation, a tribal blessing, and a $100,000 charitable donation before doors officially opened to the public at noon.

"Today is a historic day for the Tejon Indian Tribe and for Kern County," said Chairman Octavio Escobedo III of the Tejon Indian Tribe. "This destination represents our Tribe's vision, resilience, and longstanding commitment to creating opportunity for future generations. We are proud to see this project come to life and to celebrate this moment alongside our partners and our community."

Grand Opening Celebration

As part of the celebration, multi-platinum country artist Brett Young headlined an exclusive live performance. Fresh off the release of his fifth studio album, 2.0, and ahead of his upcoming Stagecoach 2026 appearance, Young brought his signature California-country sound to Kern County for the inaugural performance at Hard Rock Casino Tejon.

Guests enjoyed live entertainment, including the first slot pull and table bet photo opportunities, first access to gaming, culinary experiences, and the opportunity to be part of this historic moment for the region.

Elevated Gaming Experience

Hard Rock Casino Tejon features 150,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring:

• Over 2,000 state-of-the-art slot machines
• More than 50 table games including Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and Baccarat
• VIP high-limit rooms for elevated gaming
• Full access to Unity by Hard Rock™, a global loyalty rewards program

Signature Dining Destinations

Hard Rock Casino Tejon offers a mix of established Hard Rock favorites and all-new culinary concepts making their debut at the property.

The legendary Hard Rock Cafe anchors the lineup as a hallmark of the brand, delivering its globally recognized menu of classic American fare and music memorabilia. The Marketplace Food Hall brings together a variety of fast-casual outlets including Constant Grind, Street Tacos, The Roost, and Brick'd Italian Kitchen, catering to a wide range of tastes and dining preferences.

Making their first appearance at Tejon, Deep Cut Steaks | Seafood delivers an elevated dining experience featuring premium USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, and live entertainment in a modern setting. YouYu introduces a contemporary take on Asian cuisine, offering noodle and rice dishes inspired by Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechwan, and Vietnamese traditions.

These additions reflect Hard Rock's continued commitment to evolving its food and beverage offerings while honoring the brand's signature hospitality.

Looking Ahead Phase II Expansion

Phase II of the project will introduce a 400-room hotel and the 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live venue, designed to host concerts, performances, and sporting events. These additions will further position Hard Rock Casino Tejon as a destination for both entertainment and leisure.

"Hard Rock Casino Tejon is only the beginning," said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. "Phase II will bring the full Hard Rock experience to life with a world-class hotel and Hard Rock Live entertainment venue that will make Kern County a premier destination for travelers, artists, and fans from across California and beyond."

Images of Hard Rock Casino Tejon as well as images and B-Roll of the November 13th Guitar Smash ceremony can be found HERE.

About Hard Rock Casino Tejon
The entertainment venue is located less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield, on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, situated at the southernmost tip of California's Southern San Joaquin Valley and nestled near the base of the historic Grapevine Mountain Pass that connects Southern California to the Central Valley. This region of the San Joaquin Valley is home to one of the most productive agricultural counties in the country and is the center point of the state with access to the Central Coast and both Northern and Southern California within a couple hours' drive.