LAS VEGAS, March 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of "America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises," according to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a national leader in women's business development and certification.

The "Top Corporations" list is the only national award program honoring corporations for leading supplier diversity initiatives that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses.

"We are so proud of WBENC's Top Corporations, including MGM Resorts International, for choosing to set the standard for access and increase opportunities to women suppliers in new markets – both domestically and internationally," said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC, the nation's leader in women's business development. "WBENC-Certified WBEs in turn are able to fuel innovation, and empower communities through economic growth and job creation."

WBENC recognized 62 corporations, the largest list in the history of the program, which started in 1999 when only 17 corporations made the list. MGM Resorts is the sole company in the integrated resort industry, and the only company based in Nevada, to earn a spot on WBENC's latest list. Other companies named to the list include: Allstate Insurance Company, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx and Johnson & Johnson, among others.

WBENC's Top Corporations will be honored in front of an audience of more than 1,500 attendees, including top-level senior executives from the awarded corporations, at the WBENC Summit & Salute taking place March 22 to 24 in Phoenix, AZ.

"This is a great honor for our company.  Economic empowerment is vital to achievement by American women of full economic, social and political equality. MGM Resorts International is committed to inclusion of women-owned businesses in our stream of commerce," said Phyllis A. James, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.

MGM Resorts International has spent a cumulative total of more than $3 billion with diverse-owned suppliers, contractors and service providers since the start of the company's supplier and construction diversity program in 2001. The program is part of a larger company diversity initiative that has been recognized by leading diversity publications including DiversityInc, Black Enterprise and HispanicBusiness.

For more information about the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Program, please visit: www.mgmresorts.com/csr.

About WBENC
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with over 12,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC-Certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. Throughout the year, WBENC and its 14 Regional Partner Organizations provide opportunities for interactions between more than 650 member corporations, government agencies and thousands of certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information about the annual America's Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises, visit http://www.wbenc.org/americas-top-corporations-for-wbes

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts. The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort and Casino. MGM Resorts is a FORTUNE Magazine World's Most Admired Company. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International