Nancy Ballenger, senior vice president and general manager at Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, holds up a 30th anniversary gift bag in honor of the Isle’s 30th year in Bettendorf. The Isle is planning several special events – including giving away 300 gift bags – to celebrate the anniversary. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The Isle Casino Bettendorf is celebrating 30 years of entertainment, hospitality, gaming and never closing its doors. “We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone with our guests, team members and the community,” Nancy Ballenger, the Isle’s senior vice president and general manager, said at a brief news conference Monday morning, April 21, to announce […]
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The Isle Casino Bettendorf is celebrating 30 years of entertainment, hospitality, gaming and never closing its doors.“We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone with our guests, team members and the community,” Nancy Ballenger, the Isle’s senior vice president and general manager, said at a brief news conference Monday morning, April 21, to announce activities planned for the anniversary celebration. “Over the past 30 years, Isle Casino Hotel has been a leader in the regional entertainment landscape… and look forward to continuing to grow and evolve as a key part of the Quad Cities region for many years to come.”
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Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities president and CEO, talks about the Isle Casino Bettendorf on Monday, April 21, during a news conference highlighting the casino’s 30th anniversary. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Bettendorf Alderman and Mayor Pro-tem Scott Naumann talks during the Monday event.
Chad Manternach, Scott County Regional Authority board chair, talks about the Isle Casino Bettendorf on Monday, April 21. The SCRA holds the gaming license for the Isle, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Nancy Ballenger, senior vice president and general manager at Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, talks about the Isle’s 30th year in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is one of the employee posterboards on display on Monday.
This is one of the employee posterboards on display on Monday.
Ms. Ballenger was joined by about 50 business and community leaders, and Isle employees on Monday in the lobby of the Isle’s north tower. She and other leaders outlined some of the history of the Isle Casino and how it helps the community.Much of that help comes through the Scott County Regional Authority (SCRA), which holds the casino’s gaming license. That organization is a non-profit corporation that provides funding to educational institutions, government/civic and not-for-profit groups through a grant process. These funds are generated from gaming receipts received through the Bettendorf casino. Grants provided through SCRA have totaled more than $101 million, according to information from the SCRA.“This incredible funding from the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf has elevated the quality of life in Scott County non-profit agencies, school districts, police and fire departments, as well as countless organizations throughout the region,” said Chad Manternach, SCRA board chair.Visit here for more information on the SCRA grant application process.Money from the Isle also helped open the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, which is owned by the City of Bettendorf and operated by the Isle Casino Bettendorf.During Monday’s news conference, Bettendorf Alderman and Mayor Pro-tem Scott Naumann said the convention center has become a major regional attraction. He added that the city has a great relationship with the Isle.“They are always willing to talk to us about projects. …We really have a lot of momentum with them," he added.The positive influence of the Isle Casino Bettendorf can be felt throughout the local economy, said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. The Isle brings people to the community that expands the Quad Cities’ visitor economy. And the services offered by the Isle helps create a great visitor experience that will help get those visitors to return to the community, he added.Part of the gathering highlighted the special events planned in honor of the 30th anniversary. Those events include:
Promotions: Guests can enjoy a $30,000 slot tournament on Friday, April 26, and a $30,000 cash give-away on Saturday, April 26. Also, 300 gift bags will be given away to customers. Some of the items they contain include a T-shirt, coffee mug and much more.
Dining: Guests can experience modern twists on classic dishes at the property’s singular restaurant, Keller’s American Grill.
Celebrating team members: Isle employees will be honored at several events throughout the week. Special recognition is being given to the 23 employees who have worked at the Isle for 30 years. At Monday’s event numerous posterboards were on display to honor those individual workers who have been on the job at the Isle for at least three decades. One posterboard focused on Ryan Pruitt, director of casino operations, who was hired Feb. 16, 1995. One part of that board outlines the biggest change the employees have seen. Mr. Pruitt answered: “When I first started, the slot machines took coins. They were heavy, dirty and loud. Also, opening a land-based casino was a big deal.”
Ms. Ballenger said that their employees are a vital part of operations because “in the casino industry, we never close.”“They have some incredible stories to tell. … I think we have the best employees in the casino industry,” she added.The Isle Casino Bettendorf is the largest hotel in Iowa with 509 rooms. The riverfront property is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, and has 750 slot machines and 15 table games.
