LAS VEGAS-MGM Mirage had a positive outlook to report in thecompany’s first-quarter conference call, saying that it expectsimprovement in the Las Vegas market for the rest of this year andinto next year. Said Jim Murren, MGM Mirage chairman and CEO, "Wesee signs of improvement in the Las Vegas market and expect thoseto accelerate in the second half of the year and into 2011. Ourforward bookings continue to improve as our convention bookingscontinue to gain traction."

Murren said that MGM Mirage is well positioned to increase itsoperating margins and cash flows as the economy recovers. He citedfirst-quarter results for the company’s new CityCenter project, a$9 billion development that includes the 4,000-room Aria Resort& Casino.

“We expect Las Vegas visitation to be strong for the balance of2010, and Aria's conference calendar is strengthening,” Murrensaid. He said that MGM expects Aria's occupancy to improve over thebalance of the year and is unveiling a new marketing effort for itin the coming weeks with new TV and direct marketing elements. “Nowthat CityCenter is complete, we are able to use its architecturallyunique and highly visual assets in a coordinated global advertisingpush," the MGM Mirage chief said.