THE TROPICANA IS IN DIRE NEED OF SOME HELP NOW NOT LATER

Implications: It seems that the main function of the leadership of the staff put in place at the Tropicana by Columbia Sussex is there to chop heads. The use of a very lean staff does not compliment the Property. There are many distractions going on there and the delay in starting construction is just another downward move...... When will they actually see the light??????

Analysis: The once flower of the strip has long since started to die. It's a real shame as this property has had a very rich and successful background. We are all aware that all good things must sometimes come to an end. This property needs so much that trying to operate at the level they are now in seems dubious at best. Their staff has been cut to less than bare minimum to compete in today's market. The food and beverage is at a fair level and the entertainment has much to be desired. Having said all that, how come everyone can see the pitfalls that are happening there and Columbia Sussex takes a wait and see attitude toward their business? The longer they wait and see the tougher it will be to maintain any type of data base. Their marketing efforts seem to be lacking any depth and the luck of the location is all that keeps them from closing doors.

I am sure that C.S. is hoping that some miracle will fall upon construction companies in 2008 and allow them to start building. It's just not in the cards for that to happen. The building and construction costs do not look as though they will be heading for a dip any time soon. There is just to much building going on for that to happen in the foreseeable future. It's time for them to get off the dime and make a positive move on the Tropicana. If, on the other hand they are short of funds needed to add 10,000 rooms and make this a first class venue again, then they need to seek out a proper partner with the capital to get the job done.

It's a well know fact that C.S. paid a steep price for that land and hotel/casino. This corner it sits on might be the best in town at the moment. They have all the pluses going for them- what's holding them down. To conservative - they proved that not to be the case when they purchased this land.  Columbia Sussex needs to get familiar with the Las Vegas Strip market if they want to survive - this is not some off beat location where they do as they please and make ends meet. This is way past that happening.

I do hope my calculations in regard to the Tropicana will be proven wrong by C.S. - they have every opportunity to do just that. I am not too hard nosed to say - guess I was wrong .......