LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/23/13 -- The American Hotel & Lodging Association and Burba Hotel Network presented Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) President & COO, Michael A. Leven, with a Lifetime Achievement Award today at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles.

The award is ALIS's highest honor, recognizing individuals with an exemplary record of achievement in hospitality through research, education, community outreach, and industry development.

A veteran hospitality executive, Mr. Leven has spent more than 50 years in the hotel business. Throughout his career, he has been involved with numerous hospitality projects. He was previously the president and COO of Holiday Inn Worldwide, president of Days Inn of America, and president of Americana Hotels. Additionally, he was the president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc., a company he founded in 1995 that developed and franchised the Microtel Suites and Hawthorn Suites hotel brands. He also co-founded the Asian American Hotel Owners Association in 1989, helping grow the association from a mere 12 members to 9,300 members today.

"Receiving the ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award is a very high honor and no one is more deserving of this prestigious award than Mike," said Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands. "Mike Leven's career is distinguished by its reliability and ongoing success and his philosophy of management will be valued by future generations of hospitality leaders. I'm gratified that the association has recognized his over 50 years of contributions to the hospitality business."

For an exclusive interview with Mike Leven, visit our corporate blog -- www.sandsconfidential.com -- where we talk with Mike about his over 50 years in the hotel business.

Over the years, Mr. Leven has received numerous awards. Besides the ALIS's Lifetime Achievement Award, he was a recipient of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers Lifetime Achievement Award and was previously named to HSMAI's Hot List of 25 Most Extraordinary Sales & Marketing Minds in Hospitality & Travel. He also received the UJA Federation of New York Hotel and Hospitality Award, the American Jewish Committee Selig Distinguished Service Award, and the Georgia Hospitality & Travel Association Spirit of Hospitality Award.

In addition to being a member of the Las Vegas Sands Board of Directors, Mr. Leven also serves as a board member for the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Birthright Israel Foundation, Hersha Hospitality Trust, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America organization, American Gaming Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he is a member of the Georgia Aquarium Board of Directors and a trustee of the Marcus Foundation.

"Mike has given his life to this industry and we are all better for it," said Mr. Adelson. "Along the way he has earned the respect of everyone in our business -- from part-time and salaried workers to top executives and media personalities. Since joining us as president in early 2009, Mike has been instrumental in the tremendous success the company has experienced and he has helped set the path for the bright future we still have ahead of us. We've been lucky to have him."

About Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) is a Fortune 500 company and the leading global developer of destination properties (Integrated Resorts) that feature premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities, celebrity chef restaurants, and many other amenities.

The Venetian® and The Palazzo®, Five-Diamond luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, and Sands® Bethlehem in Eastern Pennsylvania are the company's properties in the United States. Marina Bay Sands® is the company's iconic Integrated Resort in Singapore's downtown Marina Bay district.

Through its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China Ltd., the company owns a portfolio of properties on Macao's Cotai Strip®, including The Venetian® Macao, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, and Sands Cotai Central. The company also owns the Sands® Macao on the Macao Peninsula.

Las Vegas Sands is committed to global sustainability through its Sands ECO360 degrees program and is an active community partner through its various charitable organizations.

For more information, please visit www.lasvegassands.com.

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