The Venetian Macao celebrated its 10th anniversary on Monday with a ceremony overlooking the outdoor lagoon and a gala dinner attended by officials from the Chinese Central and Macau governments.
But it was forced to do so without Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson following a fall that saw him fracture three ribs on his way to Macau on Saturday. In a statement, Las Vegas Sands Senior Vice President of Global Communications Ron Reese revealed that Adelson had suffered the injury while on the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau and was unable to attend.
“Mr Adelson has been receiving treatment for the injury and is expected to make a full recovery,” he said. “He was not able to participate in the events celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Venetian Macao, but he is grateful for the support of everyone in attendance, especially those representing the government. He looks forward to returning to Macau in early 2018.”
Originally scheduled to take place on 28 August, the celebrations were postponed in the wake of Typhoon Hato, which devastated much of the city when it struck five days earlier.
Representing Sands China instead was the company’s President, Dr Wilfred Wong, who said, “Sands China is so grateful to the Macau government, to the local community and to our team members as we commemorate this important milestone for The Venetian Macao, for our company and for Macau.
“It is our honor and pleasure to serve and operate in this vibrant community and it is our hope to continue to grow with Macau and work in tandem with the Macau government to further support Macau’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure.”
The ceremony was officiated by Edmund Ho, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Yao Jian, Vice Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR; Wang Dong, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau SAR; Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR; Paulo Martins Chan, Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) of the Macau SAR; and Patrick Dumont, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Among the highlights of the evening was a masquerade grand parade featuring music and dancing, a light and sound 3D mapping spectacular projected on the façade of The Venetian Macao and a pyrotechnic show. Cantopop superstar Joey Yung headlined the entertainment at the ensuing gala dinner.
Opened on 28 August 2007, the Venetian Macau has become arguably Macau’s most iconic global landmark, setting the standard for Sands China’s highly successful destination resort concept which also features The Parisian Macao and will soon be joined by the transformation of Sands Cotai Central into The Londoner Macao.
In a statement sent in his absence on Tuesday night, Adelson said, “This property has a very special place in my heart. It was my wife, Miriam, who first had the inspiration to recreate Venice in Las Vegas and opening The Venetian Macao in 2007 marked the beginning of my vision for the Cotai Strip.
“Nothing is more fulfilling to an entrepreneur than to see a vision turned into reality. For me, The Venetian Macao represents exactly that – first a vision and then a reality. I’m extremely grateful to every person who helped bring this reality to life and I’m humbled by the dedication and support we’re still receiving 10 years later.”
