Golden Entertainment Names Cliff Atkinson to Lead STRAT
Atkinson, formerly president and CEO of Fremont Street Experience, will take over as president of The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower on November 9.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Casino
Golden Entertainment has appointed Cliff Atkinson president of The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, effective November 9. As president, Atkinson will oversee all aspects of the property's operations.
Why it matters
The appointment places a hospitality executive with more than 30 years of experience across luxury hotels, resorts and gaming properties in charge of a major Las Vegas resort. For Las Vegas visitors and the local tourism market, leadership changes at large properties shape hotel operations and the guest experience.
The STRAT includes a 2,427-room hotel, an 80,000-square-foot casino and an observation tower that is the tallest freestanding tower in the United States. Golden Entertainment acquired the property in late 2017, and the source does not detail any planned changes under Atkinson's leadership.
The players
Golden Entertainment
Golden Entertainment is the Las Vegas-based gaming company that acquired The STRAT in late 2017 and appointed Atkinson to lead it.
Cliff Atkinson
Cliff Atkinson is a hospitality executive from San Francisco with more than 30 years of leadership experience across luxury hotels, resorts and gaming properties.
Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience is the downtown Las Vegas entertainment district that Atkinson led as president and CEO before joining The STRAT.
The details
Atkinson joined The STRAT from Fremont Street Experience, where he served as president and CEO since February. Earlier roles include president of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and president and COO of Luxor Hotel & Casino, where he led a $40 million property improvement plan covering 4,400 guest rooms.
Timeline
February: Atkinson became president and CEO of Fremont Street Experience.
2014: Atkinson received the Nevada Hotelier of the Year award.
November 9: Atkinson takes up his role as STRAT president.
Industry Dynamics
Atkinson's track record includes leading Luxor's $40 million property improvement plan across 4,400 guest rooms, a model of large-scale refresh work on aging Las Vegas Strip properties. His move from Fremont Street Experience to The STRAT links downtown and Strip-side operations under one executive profile.
Visitors booking stays at The STRAT will continue to deal with the same property, now under new day-to-day leadership starting November 9. The announcement does not describe changes to room rates, amenities or booking channels.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at major resorts can signal how a property will approach its next phase of operations, so guests and industry watchers should look for future announcements from The STRAT on its direction under Atkinson. Booking directly through the property's official channels remains the most reliable way to confirm current rates and offerings.
What happens next
Atkinson takes up his role as president of The STRAT on November 9.
Further reading
Explore more Las Vegas casino news and how resort leadership changes shape the city's gaming market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TravelDailyNews International.
