Nightclub & Bar 2016

Karsten Purbs
Director of Food & Beverage
River Rock Casino Resort


Karsten’s hospitality career started in 1996 at the then to be temporary Casino Niagara, which later became permanent. He joined the opening F&B Management Team in the Beverage Department overseeing 300+ employees. The Beverage operation at Casino Niagara became the largest volume operation in Canada. He then transitioned within the company to the Team which opened the permanent billion dollar Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort as the F&B Manager. He spent 10 years with Casino Niagara/Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort helping to establish and develop the F&B operations. In 2007, Karsten joined Casino Windsor prior to the Caesars rebrand and $400 million expansion which included another hotel tower, 5000 seat Colosseum and additional 50,000sq ft. of banquet space. He enjoyed 6 years with Caesars Windsor as the Sr. Manager of F&B leading the FOH operations for the property and the expansion and brand change to Caesars. His responsibilities included the Buffet, Nero’s, Legends Sport Bar & Grill, The VU lounge, Cosmos Lounge, Elix Lounge, Pronto Café, Staff Dining, Gaming Floor Service, Room Service and the Colosseum. In 2013, he transitioned to the West Coast joining Great Canadian Gaming Corporation as Director of Food & Beverage for the 4 Diamond River Rock Casino Resort. In this role he oversees the F&B operations for the entire property, including the Buffet, Tramonto, Curve Lounge, Lulu’s Lounge, Food Court, Java Jack’s, Salon Prive, Gaming Floor Service, In-Suite, Theater, and Banquets. A current member with the Vancouver and Richmond Tourism Boards. A past Instructor at Niagara College School of Hospitality for 6 years and a Member of the St. Clair College Program Advisory Committee for the Hospitality Program.

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