At Gila River Resorts and Casinos, it’s present moment for the new business entertainment director. Tucson native Anastasia Palmer Johnson took over the role in late September.
Dominic Orozco, who serves as the President and Chief Marketing Officer, commended her for her “connections, drive, and dedication” within the realm of entertainment. He shared this with IndianGaming.com, saying:
We are thankful to have Palmer Johnson enhancing our entertainment provisions. In her short time with the company, she has already made significant progress, securing big names such as Jake Paul, T-Pain, and Rick Ross.
After returning to Arizona, she resumes her position at Gila River gambling, boasting a robust resume that includes:
- Regional Director of Event Income at Live Nations
- Booking for the Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena in Los Angeles
- Offering functional solutions for events such as the Grammy and Emmy Awards, MLB and NBA All-Star games, Stanley Cup matches, and two Super Bowl games.
Discussing the Stones further
PlayAZ was lucky enough to have a chat with a lively Tucson-born local girl, who describes herself as a “hippie child”. Raised in the United States, she developed a deep-seated passion for music from a young age. Her family introduced her to classic artists like Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, as well as the Laurel Canyon music scene.
She asserted that she had frequently desired to return to Arizona. She had expected this to happen when she retired from her busy life in Los Angeles, but like many of us, the pandemic altered her plans.
As 2022 drew to a close, she made time to answer our questions at PlayAZ.
Who would be your ideal reservation, according to PlayAZ?
PalmerJohnson and The Rolling Stones
Who was the biggest name you & rsquo, ve ever booked, according to PlayAZ?
PalmerJohnson at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena with Springsteen & Hellip.
What is your favorite aspect of your work, PlayAZ? Does what you do have artistic merit?
PalmerJohnson: It’s all about the relationships, talent, and client relations.
She attributes her success to the business relationships that have evolved over time. She also credits her exceptional mentors, including Thomas See, her previous director at Live Nation, and Alex Hodges from the prestigious Nederlander Organization of Broadway.
She pointed out that her hiring by Gila River Resorts was because of her traditional entertainment background, not merely a history in the casino industry. “We aim to be a comprehensive entertainment venue,” she added.
She would love to accommodate artists for extended residencies, but it seems feasible only to host single-night performances in the initial year. Moreover, she aims to mentor entertainers of various performing arts genres, not just musicians, as her potential performers.
She will also feature a few local musicians. For Cinque de Mayo, it is possible that native indie rock icons Calexico and the Sergio Mendoza Orchestra might perform, supported by the emerging Tucson group XIXA. Spyder Rhodes, a renowned DJ, is currently booked to perform. Vacation throughout the flower.
PlayAZ: Have you ever encountered players who transformed you from a well-dressed leisure executor to an animated fangirl?
PalmerJohnson: I understand, indeed.
She informed PlayAZ that the shift in fan-girl mentality at the Grammys’ Staples Center happened backstage. Palmer Johnson made an appearance on Ringo Starr, an experience that for most of us would be nothing more than a dream or another watch of the ‘Get Back’ documentary. As a result, a dressing room door opened, permitting Paul McCartney to make his entrance. Finally, she saw Julian Lennon, who bore a striking resemblance to his late father, dressed in a light Nehru suit, in addition to Yoko Ono. She was afforded the chance to briefly observe them all interacting.
What does the following pertain to for Gila Resorts Casinos?
Orozco added Palmer Johnson as the next logical progression in the development of our new designated resort brand. The third property of SantanMountain, Gila River Resorts and Casinos is set to open in 2025. This addition to our portfolio signifies another step in our expansion.
Other assets of Gila River include:
- V-Qiva
- Solitary Butte
- Casino at Wild Horse Pass
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