MGM Resorts is planning to hold an annual food roadshow, placing Osaka as “the food capital of the world” should it win a license to operate an IR in the city.
As part of its “What’s an IR” expo, which kicked off last week at the Grand Front Osaka in Umeda, four local business leaders participated in a seminar panel on Monday about regional development, which touched upon food, culture and education.
MGM’s Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer Phyllis James and SVP of Food and Beverage Strategy Ari Kastrati were also in attendance.
“Osaka has huge potential and could easily serve as a tourist base,” they commented. “We want to contribute to Osaka’s development. We would like to provide support in education and culture.”
Tadashi Senda, Chairman of Osaka Prefectural Federation of Shopping Center Promotion Associations, touched on the inbound strategy regarding food and tourism and expressed his wish that there can be further development with the Osaka Expo and IR development.
There are a further two seminars scheduled for 21 and 28 May as MGM continues to make its presence felt in the race for an Osaka IR license.