Cliff Atkinson to lead The STRAT

Golden Entertainment has appointed Cliff Atkinson president of The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, effective November 9. He will join the resort after leaving his position as president and CEO of Fremont Street Experience, where his final day is scheduled for November 6.

Atkinson’s responsibilities will cover the entire property, including its 2,427-room hotel, 80,000-square-foot casino and observation tower. Golden Entertainment announced the appointment on October 28, describing a role spanning the resort’s hotel, gaming and visitor operations.

Fremont Street Experience has begun searching for his successor. Atkinson joined the downtown Las Vegas destination in February, with his tenure including an expansion of entertainment programming and the introduction of its Always On marketing campaign. The organization also credited him with developing its Downtown Rocks concert series.

Atkinson will oversee hotel, casino and tower operations

The appointment returns Atkinson to the leadership of an individual casino resort. Before Fremont Street Experience, he served as president of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Fontainebleau Las Vegas. His previous positions also include president and chief operating officer of Luxor Hotel & Casino.

At MGM Resorts International, Atkinson established the company’s Corporate Hotel Division and provided strategic guidance for the openings of MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield. His earlier career included senior roles with Mandarin Oriental, including general manager positions in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Golden Entertainment Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Blake Sartini II cited Atkinson’s experience managing Las Vegas properties and developing service teams in the appointment announcement. The company has operated The STRAT since acquiring the property in late 2017