Mandalay Bay president destined for life in hospitality

Chuck Bowling

Located in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip, Mandalay Bay is home to 3,211 rooms, 1.7 million square feet of meeting space and more than 135,000 square feet of gaming area. At the helm of Mandalay Bay’s operation is Chuck Bowling, president and chief operating officer.

“My day is always evolving and I never have the same day twice,” said Chuck in regard to his role at Mandalay Bay. “My challenges tomorrow are different than the ones today.”

His responsibilities include improving the guest experience, promoting a brand that customers are excited about and working to secure additional job opportunities at the resort.

Chuck smiled when he said that he works with an amazing group of experts and that his role is to guide and support the property’s leadership team.

Raised far from Mandalay Bay and the Las Vegas Strip, Chuck was born in North Carolina and raised in Georgia. A Georgia State University graduate, Chuck recognized early on he was destined for a life in hospitality.

He started out working at a restaurant in high school and proceeded to work full-time through college in order to help pay his tuition.

“The hospitality industry fit with my style,” said Chuck of his first job at the Omni as a bellman and front desk clerk during college. “I have always been comfortable and confident in the industry.”

Though Chuck has long since left his home in Atlanta, he is still an avid Georgia Tech fan and also continues to root for his hometown Atlanta Braves. Chuck’s loyalty to Atlanta may stem from the fact that he met his wife there; where they attended neighboring high schools.

He took Claire to the prom and since the two have been happily married for more than two decades.

Chuck now makes his home at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. A 60-acre property, Mandalay Bay is a luxuriant, tropical resort with thousands of palm trees, intricately carved stone statues, cascading waterfalls and blossoming, thriving landscaping. Awarded the AAA Four Diamond award, Mandalay Bay holds a real sand beach, specialty restaurants with some of the world’s most famous chefs, a 90,560 square foot aquarium, featuring more than 2,000 dangerous and unusual aquatic animals, and the fifth largest convention center in the country.

With over 30 years in the hospitality and tradeshow industry, Chuck is very proud to be a part of MGM Resorts International which is the owner and operator of Mandalay Bay, a number of properties in Las Vegas and around the world.

“MGM Resorts is the largest employer in a state where hospitality is the No. 1 industry,” said Chuck. “Because of MGM Resorts’ role in the community, its success relies heavily on the success of the community. I am very proud to work for a company which the community can turn to, and would encourage more involvement from the hospitality industry to help the community where we live.”

Chuck is excited about the future of the hospitality industry and would advise newcomers there are huge opportunities. The sky is the limit as long as they are patient and engaged. He emphasized the importance of industry newcomers, focusing not only on their job responsibilities, but also seeing what else they can do to move the company forward.

“My challenge is to develop a culture that believes in the future after a few rough years with the economy,” said Chuck.

His enthusiasm and passion for the hospitality and travel industry, and motivation to improve the lives of Mandalay Bay employees and members of the southern Nevada community, are an indicator not only of the hard work he is willing to put in to make that happen, but also of the kind of leader it takes to affect positive change.

Based in Las Vegas, Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, www.edlen.com, is the leading independent temporary utility contractor for the tradeshow, convention and special event industry. National Sales Manager Julie Pazina can be reached at julie@edlen.com.