The Power of CABO: Thanks to the incredible networking of the CABO executive board, one of the world's largest resort casinos is now out 'in the woods' and CABO's newest Cornerstone Partner.
In May of 2009, CABO member Chip Green, President of the nationally-respected marketing communications company Green Ink and a longtime Foxwoods vendor, connected Foxwoods' Director of Communications Dan Weaver with CABO Founder and President Dena Castricone. Thanks to their initial steps, and what Weaver calls "the heroic efforts" of CABO Executive Director Jenn Tracz, Foxwoods joined CABO and began making significant changes in their Human Resource and Procurement policies, as well as its LGBT community outreach.
"In our first meeting with Chief Marketing Officer Robert Victoria and Vice President of Human Resources Steve Heise, we immediately felt their warmth and sincerity," notes Castricone. "But it was key that they understood that to gain respect and success in the LGBT's $800 billion market that their own housekeeping needed to be in order before reaching out to patrons."
Enter Tracz: For the next several months, Tracz worked with Weaver, who was charged with overseeing the Foxwoods LGBT Initiative, on the numerous details and learning curve needs to change those "housekeeping duties" of the casino's 10,000 employees. "I am proud to have helped Foxwoods and their owners, the Mashantucket Pequots, change policies, like adding LGBT wording to their Employment Policy and including LGBT in their minority vendor listings," notes Tracz. "It's also a thrill to be working with them during Gay Pride Month as they launched their marketing campaign at events like Outfest (the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven," both are non-profit CABO members.
Weaver, now a CABO board member, points out that Tracz has been the driving force in leveraging the powerful relationship of CABO and Foxwoods, which culminated in Victoria deciding to commit time and resources, and become the exclusive Cornerstone Casino Partner of CABO. "Foxwoods has long been committed to diversity and inclusion," he said. "We are proud to join hands with CABO in reaching out to the LGBT community and celebrate the wonder of us all."
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