Join the Office of Graduate Student Services for an inspiring evening with Matt Maddox.

Topic: The Desert Inn to Wynn

Mr. Maddox will share invaluable insights into the transformative journey of 'The Desert Inn to Wynn,' offering a unique perspective on the evolution of one of the world's most prestigious resort empires.

• Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
• Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Presentation)
• Location: Greenspun Hall Auditorium
• RSVP

Following the presentation, attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments and engage in networking opportunities.

About the Speaker:

Matt Maddox is an industry leader in the global hospitality and gaming industries. Most recently, Maddox was CEO of Wynn Resorts, a $12.4 billion developer and operator of award-winning hotels and casinos, and one of the most recognized luxury resort brands in the world.

As CEO of Wynn, Maddox successfully led the transition following the Chairman’s departure. He remodeled the company’s Board of Directors, restructured the management team, and transformed corporate culture – all while maintaining the company’s leading entrepreneurial drive. Maddox oversaw the completion and opening of the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor Resort and invested over $500 million to update Wynn Las Vegas – remodeling rooms, developing dozens of new retail outlets and restaurants, and creating innovative entertainment experiences. During his tenure, Wynn Resorts outpaced competitors in both market share and profits while maintaining Five-Star service levels.

In addition, Maddox successfully guided Wynn Resorts through the Covid-19 pandemic, creating and publishing an industry roadmap to reopening after only 45-days of closure. Wynn Resorts was one of the only employers in the hospitality sector to fully compensate all its employees during the pandemic, and Maddox’s efforts to help reboot the U.S. economy garnered him national acclaim.

Maddox joined Wynn Resorts when it was a start-up in 2002, years before the first property opened, and he was promoted several times over a 20-year career. He was the first employee to relocate to Asia where he served as CFO of Wynn Resorts in Macau and was integral to the development of both Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace. Maddox later became Chief Financial Officer of Wynn Resorts, making him the youngest public company CFO in the S&P 500. He was named President in 2013 and five years later, CEO.

Earlier in his career, Maddox was an investment banker in Bank of America’s Mergers and Acquisitions Department. He also worked in corporate finance at Park Place Entertainment which later became Caesars Entertainment. Maddox earned his B.A. from Southern Methodist University and resides in Las Vegas.