'The King Is In The House' Tilman Fertitta To Speak At Pavilion On May 5

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?  On May 5, at The Pavilion, you not only get a free lunch, but it will be seasoned with an hour of power packed wisdom from America’s “Billion Dollar Buyer.” That’s right, Tilman Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Landry’s is bringing his rare blend of sarcasm and success to the Ole Miss campus.  
The king of the restaurant world has become a media celebrity renowned for making tough deals. With over 500 properties and 60,000 employees, Fertitta leads a high-flying lifestyle that takes him all over the world making deals on behalf of his restaurant, hotel and casino empire.  
He’s very hands on closing deals, from multi-million dollar real estate transactions to buying the honey for his restaurants. He’s into the details and loves the art of the deal.  
“It’s always just business” for Fertitta, but for the companies that are successful in securing his favor, it’s a game changer.  
“I’m in the gambling business. I know what it means to play the odds,” Fertitta said. “But, at some point, you’ve got to go all in to make the deal.”  
That’s just what Fertitta will do at The Pavillion when he opens up the mic for those in attendance to fire questions at him.  
“I love to be in the spotlight,” Fertitta said.
What better place to do it than at Ole Miss where Fertitta has strong ties?
“My family’s roots in Mississippi go back nearly 50 years, and I have a residence in Oxford.  My two oldest sons attended Ole Miss, as well as my niece, Kelli,” he said. “The town Square was way ahead of its time, bringing boutique shops and interesting restaurants without losing the relaxed feel of a small Southern town. I believe in it so much that I’ve invested in it.”
Co-sponsored by the Ole Miss School of Business, Ole Miss Athletics and the Meek School of Journalism and New Media, Fertitta’s visit will be a spectacle replete with Fertitta’s inimitable candor, humor and bravado and laced with four decades of wisdom in buying, selling and developing some of the premier properties in the country. Don’t miss his nuggets of wisdom that will challenge even the brightest mind on how to go for the jackpot.  
Admission to the event is free, and the first 1,000 attendees will get a free lunch thanks to the generosity of sponsors Renasant Bank, Evans Petree PC and White Construction.
“I can’t wait for Ole Miss to experience Tilman’s wit and wisdom,” said Blake Tartt, III, who extended the invitation to Fertitta to speak. “I’ve known Tilman since childhood and have worked with him on developments for over 30 years. I’m eager for our students and guests to see the king in the house and get a personal dose of his development genius.”
Listen to Radio Spot produced by Meek School student Alexandria Paton: 

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