LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwire) -- 12/17/12 -- Amid a display of 6,500 roses, Chris Harrison, host of ABC-TV's "The Bachelor," led the unveiling of the newest variety of red rose, called The Palazzo Rose, after the Las Vegas resort. The rose "christening" ceremony -- held in the resort's picturesque Waterfall Atrium & Gardens -- was also attended by representatives of the flower's breeders and growers, which was developed in The Netherlands.

The new breed of roses, which features deep crimson red petals and a large amount of beautiful foliage, will be offered exclusively at the resort for one year -- including the resort's famed Las Vegas wedding program -- until it is more readily available at florists and retail centers.

"We couldn't think of a more appropriate way to honor The Palazzo Las Vegas brand," said Dana Beatty, director of horticulture for The Palazzo and sister resort The Venetian. "In our research, people often use adjectives to describe the resort like elegant and romantic -- which is how we also describe this variety of rose."

The red rose has a deep color, and has a high petal count, which allows it to open "large." It also has a substantial amount of green foliage, adding to its beauty in arrangements. Finally, it has a long shelf life, a quality prized by florists and consumers.

"Since we opened The Palazzo five years ago, millions of people have professed their love for this brand," said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Palazzo, The Venetian, and Sands Expo. "And when you talk love, what is more appropriate than a red rose?"

"In the end, this new rose absolutely mirrors what we are about," he continued. "We are passionate about the quality -- and the romance -- of our Italian-inspired resorts and we are thrilled to be the namesake of the world's newest variety of red rose."

The roses were bred and grown in The Netherlands, which is the world's largest exporter of roses. They are distributed by Reineri, a prestigious Dutch floral supplier. They are imported locally by Greenfield & Company of Las Vegas.

"It takes about five years to develop a new variety of red rose," said Peter de Mos, general manager of Reineri. "This christening ceremony is literally the culmination of hundreds and hundreds of hours of work and dedication to create the newest and greatest variety of red rose."

Using the hotel as a namesake for the new variety was a natural, he said. "It's Italian; it's beautiful -- just like the flower. And the deep red color is reminiscent of the bricks that create the very foundation of a palace -- a Palazzo -- such as this."

During the ceremony, Harrison led the audience in a toast, and joined Caparella in dousing an arrangement in champagne, a tradition of the floral community to mark the "christening" of a new variety.

"This is my kind of rose ceremony," Harrison joked to the crowd, when the champagne arrived.

Harrison also announced that the first official arrangement to feature The Palazzo Rose was sent on Friday night to country music sensation Faith Hill for the opening night of her new limited engagement at The Venetian -- Soul2Soul -- also featuring her husband, Tim McGraw.

Harrison, the host of "The Bachelor," is currently promoting the newest season of show, which begins airing on ABC-TV on Jan. 7.

Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the Company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to general economic conditions, competition, new ventures, government regulation, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, insurance, and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ABOUT THE PALAZZO LAS VEGAS

With more than 3,000 spacious suites, luxury shopping, world-class dining and entertainment, the $1.9 billion, Silver LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified Palazzo Las Vegas literally takes luxury to new heights. Ranked as one of the top 25 hotels in the U.S. and Canada in Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards" for two consecutive years, the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Four Star-Award winning resort is highlighted by a flagship 85,000-square-foot Barneys New York. The Shoppes at The Palazzo feature more than 60 luxury boutiques, including 20 remarkable stores and couture brands making their Las Vegas debuts at The Palazzo including Chloé, Tory Burch, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Van Cleef & Arpels. The all-suite resort offers plush and opulent suite accommodations ranging from a Luxury Suite at an unprecedented 720 square feet to the 8,000-square-foot Chairman suite with private terraces and plunge pools. The Palazzo also offers a variety of cuisines from a collection of award-winning chefs such as Carnevino by Mario Batali, CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse. Other unique offerings include the chic dining and nightlife hotspot, LAVO; the unique nightclub experience The Act; the world's largest Canyon Ranch SpaClub; the ultimate sports bar, sportsbook and restaurant on the Strip, Lagasse's Stadium; and Prestige at The Palazzo -- an exclusive space designed to offer the sophisticated traveler an elevated level of services and amenities including private champagne check in, packing and unpacking services, exclusive bath and pillow menus, complimentary cocktail reception and more. Guests can earn points while they eat, sleep, shop and play with Grazie, the premiere loyalty program, which rewards guests with the ease and usability of just one card and one program. The Palazzo and its famed sister resort, The Venetian Las Vegas, are the first ever Alliance Resorts in the InterContinental Hotel Group global portfolio. For additional information, visit The Palazzo website at palazzolasvegas.com, follow on Twitter @palazzolasvegas and interact on Facebook at facebook.com/palazzolasvegas.

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