Harrah's Major Sponsor of National Black MBA Conference

Business Wire, Sept 27, 2006

LAS VEGAS -- As part of an aggressive effort to recruit highly talented executives and managers from a diverse range of communities, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) announced it is a major sponsor of the 28th Annual National Black MBA Conference in Atlanta.

Organized by the National Black MBA Association, the conference is one of the nation's largest recruitment and networking events for MBAs and business professionals, with more than 15,000 attendees expected.

"A major factor in Harrah's success is our ability to recruit some of the nation's most promising business professionals, who have increasingly seen the gaming industry as an attractive career choice," said Mary Thomas, senior vice president of human resources for Harrah's. "In the seven years we've been involved, the National Black MBA Conference has proven a rich source of executive and managerial talent. We're proud to be a sponsor of this prestigious event, and look forward to sharing the many opportunities our growing company offers with America's most talented African-American MBAs."

Six of last year's 38 President's Associates - Harrah's MBA internship program - joined the company after meeting Harrah's officials at the National Black MBA Conference, and Harrah's has recruited a number of executives through the conference over the past seven years.

Harrah's presence at the National Black MBA Conference is one component of an overall strategy to recruit talented business professionals through affiliations with diverse MBA organizations. Other conferences on the company's agenda this year include Women in Technology International, the National Society of Hispanic MBAs and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting.

"We have worked diligently to increase awareness of robust professional career opportunities at Harrah's in an industry that most business professionals typically will not seek," said Russell Jolivet, Harrah's senior director of corporate recruiting and diversity initiatives.

"Recruiting business professionals from a broad spectrum of communities is just one facet of Harrah's overarching commitment to diversity and inclusion," said Fred Keeton, Harrah's vice president of external affairs and chief diversity officer. "We firmly believe that by diversifying our base of employees, vendors and community partners, we build a stronger, more knowledgeable company -- one better suited to make everyone feel welcome when they visit a Harrah's property."

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.