New Seminole Hard Rock Tampa President Eyes Expansion as Florida Keeps Growing

^{Travis Lunn became the president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa in February 2026 after running operations at four MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas. (Photo: Hard Rock International)}

TAMPA, Fla. — Travis Lunn has barely been in his new office 90 days, and he’s already being asked about expansion.

The new president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa — one of the largest casino properties in the country — arrived in February from MGM Resorts International, where he ran operations at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and two other Las Vegas properties. But Lunn says he was drawn in by the brand and what he sees happening in Florida right now.

Lunn spoke with Casinos.com about his first impressions of the property, the pressure to reshape the Florida market, and his plans for one of the largest casino operations in the Southeast.

“The Hard Rock brand leaves an impression,” he said. “It sits at the intersection of world-class entertainment, hospitality, and gaming in a way few others do.”

That impression was reinforced from a distance. “Watching the development of the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel in Las Vegas was a defining moment,” Lunn said. “It reinforced how bold the brand continues to be, and that momentum isn’t limited to one market.”

Lunn joins the property in a time when Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando all rank among the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. The three cities collectively added more than 140,000 residents in a single year, according to U.S. Census data. Just the Tampa Bay region alone is projected to absorb roughly 400,000 new residents by 2030. 

“Florida is experiencing tremendous growth,” Lunn said, “and Seminole Gaming is driving a lot of that energy.”

What He Found When He Got Here

In Lunn's first three months, he has been meeting with leadership, floor staff, and guests to understand the property’s existing strengths before deciding what to change. He said that he was struck by the atmosphere of the Tampa property rather than only the scale of the operation. 

“There’s an energy on the property that you can’t manufacture,” he said. “Our guests are deeply engaged, and our team members genuinely care. It’s something you recognize right away.”

The Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is a sprawling complex: more than 5,000 slot machines, a 46-table poker room, an AAA Four-Diamond hotel with 802 rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, a retail center, and the Hard Rock Event Center, which hosts major recording artists and comedians year-round. The property generated jackpots totaling over $2.7 billion in 2025.

Managing an operation that size has given Lunn a new perspective on what the business actually is. 

“Our business is, ironically enough, not solely gaming,” he said. “Every part of the business is interconnected. Our restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and retail offerings all support one another. Guests may come for one experience, but it’s the combination that keeps them engaged and encourages them to return. A guest might come for a concert, stay for the weekend, dine on property, and engage with the gaming floor along the way.”

On technology and innovation, Lunn keeps the focus narrow. “The key is remaining focused on the guest,” he said. “Trends, technology, and preferences will continue to evolve. We have to be proactive, but innovation should always enhance the guest experience, not complicate it.”

The Expansion Question

The more pointed question is what comes next structurally. The Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is effectively landlocked by its current footprint, which makes building upward rather than outward the more logical path forward. Lunn didn’t rule it out. 

“We are actively evaluating our footprint and future opportunities for growth, especially given the region’s continued expansion,” he said. “That said, it’s too early to define what that will look like.”

One thing he’s clear about: he intends to be here for the answer. “My family and I have truly embraced the Tampa community,” he said. “Professionally, leading Seminole Hard Rock Tampa represents a pinnacle moment in my career.”