Sands formally introduces itself to L.I. businesses

By MALLORY WILSON mwilson@liherald.com

One of the biggest mistakes a large company can do when coming into a community for the first time is start big and stay big.

But when Las Vegas Sands Corp., came to town looking to spend millions on redevelopment, it didn’t go big. It went hyperlocal.

“They started off right,” said Frank Camarano Jr., president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. “They understood. They didn’t have to wait for the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to say, ‘Hey guys, you have to start at the grassroots level.’ It was the exact opposite — they reached out to us.”

Camarano shared the remarks during last week’s Procurement Academy hosted by the council of chambers as well as Sands’ New York division at Nassau Community College. The academy was designed as a way for businesses to get acquainted with the Sands, and possibly seek out avenues where Sands and the businesses could work together.

The $49 billion luxury casino and resort company announced earlier this year it would bid for the Uniondale land surrounding the Nassau Coliseum. The proposal is for a multi-billion-dollar resort that would include hotels, community centers, a performance venue, convention spaces, restaurants and a casino. And although developers say the gaming space would be less than 10 percent of the overall plan, the casino is exactly what a number of people and organizations have focused on — both positively and negatively.

Still, Sands claims the new luxury resort would provide more than 12,000 construction jobs, and then employ 5,000 people once it opened.

“Long Island, we really, really, really want to be here,” said Norbert Riezler, senior vice president and chief procurement officer for Sands. “We are really excited.”

Riezler shared how the Sands operates

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT –ENTRY LEVEL (FT/PT/FLE xIbLE SChEdULE )

Responsibilities include: Assist with billing and input of advertising insertion orders; provide clients and sales reps with invoices or statements; contact past due advertisers for payment, send reminder letters; assist with bank deposits, cash and credit card posting and reconciliations; print daily and weekly affidavits to mail with invoices; assist with reception coverage and other administrative tasks as needed.

Requirements: Must be organized with excellent attention to detail and customer service skills; strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office; ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment.

Qualified candidates can send their resume to careers@liherald.com within current locations like Singapore and Las Vegas. He provided statistics and graphs showing the breakdown on the Uniondale project, including where the highest percentage of money would be going, its commitment to local and diverse sourcing, and what it takes to procure this project.

The Sands is currently waiting on a gaming license from the state before it can go any further.

Afterward, Sands broke the 300 or so attendees into smaller groups, discussing everything from food and beverage, tech- nology, professional services and design and construction.

Julie Marchesella, the owner of clothing boutique Queen of Hearts in Merrick, said she participated primarily to see if she could advertise inside the Sands once it opens.

“They have intentions of catering to weddings, and I felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to advertise … and maybe have a kiosk with a mannequin wearing a beautiful gown,” Marchesella said. “Since Queen of Hearts is on Merrick Avenue — just a very short taxi ride or Uber ride — they might see something there that they love and want to come in and try it on.”

Not everyone is keen about welcoming Sands. A number of people and groups have protested the casino, saying it will increase crime and poverty in and around Uniondale. Nearby Hofstra University is against the development, even filing a lawsuit earlier this month against the Nassau County Planning Commission, claiming it violated state open meetings laws when considering the $4 billion Sands project.

Frank Borrelli, owner of Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant in East Meadow, believes this project is the best option presented so far.

“I think it’s a homer for the community,” he said. “The taxes it’s going to generate for the county will be insane, not only from (the resort), but just branding off and bringing people to the areas. And tourism in general.”