def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-12
LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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þ
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No fee required |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11 |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Filing Party: |
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Date Filed: |
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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which will be held on
June 7, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., Las Vegas Time, at The
Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino located at 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard
South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.
Details regarding admission to the meeting and the business to
be presented at the meeting can be found in the accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you are able to attend,
it is important that your shares be represented at the meeting.
You may vote in person or by returning your proxy card.
Instructions for voting are provided in the enclosed materials.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the management of Las
Vegas Sands Corp., thank you very much for your support.
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Yours sincerely, |
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Sheldon G. Adelson
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Chairman of the Board |
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and Chief Executive Officer |
April 28, 2006
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
to be held on
June 7, 2006
To the Stockholders:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Las Vegas Sands Corp., a
Nevada corporation (the Company), will be
held at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino located at 3355 Las
Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, on June 7,
2006, at 10:00 a.m., Las Vegas Time, for the following
purposes:
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1. To elect two directors to the Board of Directors for a
three-year term; |
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2. To consider and act upon the ratification of the
selection of our independent registered public accounting
firm; and |
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3. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
Stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 14, 2006 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting. A list of these stockholders will be available for
examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the
meeting, during ordinary business hours, at the Companys
executive offices, located at 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South,
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, for a period of ten days prior to the
meeting date. The list will also be available for inspection by
any stockholder at the place of the stockholder meeting during
the whole time thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Bradley K. Serwin |
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General Counsel and Secretary |
April 28, 2006
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY.
Use of the enclosed envelope requires no postage for mailing
in the United States.
PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-1 |
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i
PROXY STATEMENT
PROXY AND VOTING INFORMATION
Our Board of Directors (the Board) has
provided you with these proxy materials in connection with its
solicitation of proxies to be voted at the annual meeting of
stockholders. We will hold the annual meeting on Wednesday,
June 7, 2006 at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino located at
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109,
beginning at 10:00 a.m., Las Vegas Time. Please note that
throughout these proxy materials we may refer to Las Vegas Sands
Corp. as the Company, we,
us, or our. We first began mailing this
Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card on or about
April 28, 2006.
Who Can Vote
Only stockholders of record of the Companys Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the Common
Stock), as of April 14, 2006, will be entitled to
vote at the meeting.
How Many Shares Can Be Voted
The authorized capital stock of the Company presently consists
of 1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock. At the close of
business on April 14, 2006, 354,317,234 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each
stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on that date on all matters that may come before the
meeting. There is no cumulative voting in the election of
directors.
How You Can Vote
You may vote in person by attending the meeting or by completing
and returning a proxy by mail. To vote your proxy by mail, mark
your vote on the enclosed proxy card, then follow the
instructions on the card.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least
a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of the
Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting.
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street
name by a broker, your broker, as the record holder of the
shares, must vote those shares in accordance with your
instructions. In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange (the NYSE), brokerage firms may give
a proxy to vote their customers stock without customer
instructions if (i) they transmitted proxy materials to the
beneficial owner of the stock, (ii) did not receive voting
instructions by the date specified in the statement accompanying
the proxy materials and (iii) the brokerage firm has no
knowledge of any contest with respect to the actions to be taken
at the stockholders meeting and such actions are
adequately disclosed to stockholders and do not include
authorization for a merger, consolidation or any matter that
could substantially affect the rights or privileges of the
stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present
for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum for the transaction of business.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the
meeting will be required for the election of directors. Each
other item to be acted upon at the meeting requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Common Stock represented at the meeting in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote on the item, assuming that a quorum is
present or represented at the meeting. A properly executed proxy
3
marked WITHHOLD AUTHORITY with respect to the
election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect
to the director or directors indicated, and will have no effect.
With respect to the other proposal, a properly executed proxy
marked ABSTAIN, although counted for purposes of
determining whether there is a quorum, will not be voted.
Accordingly, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote
cast against a proposal. Under Nevada law, a broker non-vote
will have no effect on the outcome of the matters presented for
a stockholder vote.
Sheldon G. Adelson, the Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of our Company, beneficially owned
approximately 58.4% of our Common Stock as of the record date
and will be entitled to vote his shares at the annual meeting.
This includes approximately 6.3% of our Common Stock held by
trusts for the benefit of Mr. Adelsons family members
for which Mr. Adelson and Charles D. Forman, a director of
our Company, serve as trustees. In addition, Dr. Miriam
Adelson, Mr. Adelsons wife, and Mr. Forman are
the trustees of four trusts for the benefit of
Mr. Adelsons family members that collectively
beneficially own approximately 10.7% of our Common Stock.
Mr. Adelson has indicated that he intends to vote all of
his shares in favor of both of the director nominees and for the
ratification of the selection of our independent registered
public accounting firm. Each of the trustees named above has
determined to vote all of the trusts shares in favor of
both of the director nominees and for the ratification of the
selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.
If you duly execute the proxy card but do not specify how you
want to vote, your shares will be voted as our Board recommends,
which is FOR the election of each of the nominees
for director as set forth under Proposal 1 below and
FOR the ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Las Vegas Sands Corp.s
independent registered public accounting firm for 2006 as
described in Proposal 2 below.
How to Revoke or Change Your Vote
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised in
any of three ways:
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by notifying the Corporate Secretary of the revocation in
writing; |
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by delivering to the Corporate Secretary a duly executed proxy
card bearing a later date; or |
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by voting in person at the annual meeting. |
You will not revoke a proxy merely by attending the annual
meeting. To revoke a proxy, you must take one of the actions
described above.
If you hold your shares in a brokerage or other account, you may
submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank
or nominee.
Any revocation of a proxy, or a new proxy bearing a later date,
should be sent to the following address: Corporate Secretary,
Las Vegas Sands Corp., 3355 Las Vegas Sands Boulevard South, Las
Vegas, Nevada 89109.
Other Matters to be Acted upon at the Meeting
Our Board presently is not aware of any matters other than those
specifically stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting, which are
to be presented for action at the annual meeting. If any matter
other than those described in this Proxy Statement is presented
at the annual meeting on which a vote may properly be taken, the
shares represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with
the judgment of the person or persons voting those shares.
4
Adjournments and Postponements
Any action on the items of business described above may be
considered at the annual meeting at the time and on the date
specified above or at any time and date to which the annual
meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed.
Electronic Delivery of Proxy Materials and Annual Report
The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and the
Companys 2005 Annual Report are available on our website
at www.lasvegassands.com. In the future, instead of
receiving copies of the Proxy Statement and annual report in the
mail, stockholders may elect to receive an
e-mail with a link to
these documents on the internet. Receiving your proxy materials
online saves the Company the cost of producing and mailing
documents to your home or business and gives you an automatic
link to the proxy voting site.
Stockholders of Record. If your shares are registered in
your own name, to enroll in the electronic delivery service go
directly to our transfer agents website at
www.amstock.com anytime and follow the instructions.
Beneficial Stockholders. If your shares are not
registered in your name, to enroll in the electronic delivery
service check the information provided to you by your bank or
broker, or contact your bank or broker for information on
electronic delivery service.
Delivery of One Proxy Statement and Annual Report to a Single
Household to Reduce Duplicate Mailings
Each year in connection with the Companys Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, the Company is required to send to each
stockholder of record a Proxy Statement and annual report, and
to arrange for a Proxy Statement and annual report to be sent to
each beneficial stockholder whose shares are held by or in the
name of a broker, bank, trust or other nominee. Because many
stockholders hold shares of the Companys Common Stock in
multiple accounts, this process results in duplicate mailings of
Proxy Statements and annual reports to stockholders who share
the same address. To avoid this duplication, unless the Company
receives instructions to the contrary from one or more of the
stockholders sharing a mailing address, only one Proxy Statement
will be sent to each address. Stockholders may, on their own
initiative, avoid receiving duplicate mailings and save the
Company the cost of producing and mailing duplicate documents as
follows:
Stockholders of Record. If your shares are registered in
your own name and you are interested in consenting to the
delivery of a single Proxy Statement or annual report, to enroll
in the electronic delivery service go directly to our transfer
agents website at www.amstock.com anytime and
follow the instructions.
Beneficial Stockholders. If your shares are not
registered in your own name, your broker, bank, trust or other
nominee that holds your shares may have asked you to consent to
the delivery of a single Proxy Statement or annual report if
there are other Las Vegas Sands Corp. stockholders who share an
address with you. If you currently receive more than one Proxy
Statement or annual report at your household, and would like to
receive only one copy of each in the future, you should contact
your nominee.
Right to Request Separate Copies. If you consent to the
delivery of a single Proxy Statement and annual report but later
decide that you would prefer to receive a separate copy of the
Proxy Statement or annual report, as applicable, for each
stockholder sharing your address, then please notify us or your
nominee, as applicable, and we or they will promptly deliver
such additional Proxy Statements or annual reports. If you wish
to receive a separate copy of the Proxy Statement or annual
report for each stockholder sharing your address in the future,
you may contact our transfer agent, American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, directly by telephone at
1-800-937-5449 or by
visiting its website at www.amstock.com and following the
instructions.
5
Important Notice about Security
All meeting attendees may be asked to present a valid,
government-issued photo identification (federal, state or
local), such as a drivers license or passport, and proof
of beneficial ownership if you hold your shares through a
broker, bank or other nominee before entering the meeting.
Attendees may be subject to security inspections. Video and
audio recording devices and other electronic devices will not be
permitted at the meeting.
6
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information as of April 20,
2006, as to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock, in
each case, by:
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each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than
5% of our Common Stock; |
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each named executive officer identified under Executive
Compensation and Other Information below; |
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each of our directors; and |
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all of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
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Beneficial Ownership(1) | |
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Name of Beneficial Owner(2) |
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Shares | |
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Percent (%) | |
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Sheldon G.
Adelson(3)(4)(6)(7)
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207,022,482 |
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58.4 |
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Sheldon G. Adelson 2005 Family
Trust(4)
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184,841,045 |
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52.2 |
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Adelson Family
Trusts(5)
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37,756,105 |
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10.7 |
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Sheldon G. Adelson 2002 Four Year LVSI Annuity
Trust(6)
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17,013,961 |
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4.8 |
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Sheldon G. Adelson 2004 Two Year LVSI Annuity
Trust(7)
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5,144,415 |
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1.5 |
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William P.
Weidner(8)
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5,297,186 |
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1.5 |
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Bradley H.
Stone(9)
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1,438,046 |
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Robert G.
Goldstein(10)
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1,502,806 |
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Scott D.
Henry(11)
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11,087 |
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Charles D.
Forman(5)(6)(7)(12)
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447,900 |
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Michael A.
Leven(12)
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3,133 |
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James L.
Purcell(12)
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4,918 |
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Irwin A.
Siegel(13)
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2,868 |
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Irwin
Chafetz(14)
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25,342 |
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All executive officers and the directors of our Company as a
group (12
persons)(15)
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215,764,825 |
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60.9 |
% |
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(1) |
A person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a
security if that person has or shares voting power, which
includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such
security, or investment power, which includes the power to
dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A
person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities
of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership
within 60 days. Securities that can be so acquired are
deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such
persons ownership percentage, but not for purposes of
computing any other persons percentage. Under these rules,
more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the
same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial
owner of such securities as to which such person has no economic
interest. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each
of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, the sole voting
and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of
Common Stock. |
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(2) |
The address of each person named in this table is c/o Las
Vegas Sands Corp., 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89109. |
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(3) |
This amount includes options to purchase 22,961 shares
of our Common Stock that are vested and exercisable. See
footnotes (4) and (6) below. This amount excludes
37,756,105 shares of our Common Stock that Mr. Adelson
transferred to four family trusts established by
Mr. Adelson and over which he has no beneficial ownership.
See footnote (5) below. |
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(4) |
Mr. Adelson beneficially owns 184,841,045 shares of
our Common Stock as trustee of the Sheldon G. Adelson 2005
Family Trust. Mr. Adelson retains sole dispositive and
voting control over the shares in the trust. |
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(5) |
Mr. Adelsons spouse, Dr. Miriam Adelson, and
Mr. Forman, as trustees of the four family trusts, may each
be deemed to beneficially own the 37,756,105 shares of our
Common Stock held by the trusts. Dr. Adelson and
Mr. Forman share dispositive and voting control over the
shares in the trusts. Mr. Forman disclaims such beneficial
ownership and this disclosure shall not be deemed an admission
that Mr. Forman is a beneficial owner of such shares for
any purpose. |
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(6) |
Mr. Adelson and Mr. Forman may each be deemed to
beneficially own the 17,013,961 shares of our Common Stock
held by the Sheldon G. Adelson 2002 Four Year LVSI Annuity Trust
as a trustee of the trust. Mr. Adelson has sole dispositive
control over the shares in the trust. Mr. Forman has sole
voting control over the shares in the trust. Mr. Forman
disclaims such beneficial ownership and this disclosure shall
not be deemed an admission that Mr. Forman is a beneficial
owner of such shares for any purpose. |
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(7) |
Mr. Adelson and Mr. Forman may each be deemed to
beneficially own 5,144,415 shares of our Common Stock held
by the Sheldon G. Adelson 2004 Two Year LVSI Annuity Trust as a
trustee of the trust. Mr. Adelson has sole dispositive
control over the shares in the trust. Mr. Forman has sole
voting control over the shares in the trust. Mr. Forman
disclaims such beneficial ownership and this disclosure shall
not be deemed an admission that Mr. Forman is a beneficial
owner of such shares for any purpose. |
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(8) |
This amount includes 23,479 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 20,873 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. This amount also includes
5,252,834 shares of our Common Stock that Mr. Weidner
transferred to Weidner Holdings, LLC, a sole member limited
liability company of which Mr. Weidner is the sole member
manager. |
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(9) |
This amount includes 20,544 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 18,264 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. This amount excludes
1,667,087 shares that Mr. Stone transferred to The
Stone Crest Trust and over which he has no voting or dispositive
control. |
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(10) |
This amount includes 17,609 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 15,655 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. This amount also includes
1,221,091 shares of our Common Stock that
Mr. Goldstein transferred to The Robert and Sheryl
Goldstein Trust and 248,451 shares of our Common Stock that
Mr. Goldstein transferred to The Robert G. Goldstein
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust. Mr. Goldstein may be deemed
to have beneficial ownership of all such shares. |
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(11) |
This amount includes 5,869 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 5,218 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. |
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(12) |
This amount includes 1,348 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 1,670 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. |
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(13) |
This amount includes options 1,348 shares of restricted
stock and options to purchase 1,020 shares of our
Common Stock that are vested and exercisable. |
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(14) |
This amount includes 1,348 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 994 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable. |
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(15) |
This amount includes 80,110 shares of restricted stock and
options to purchase 93,183 shares of our Common Stock
that are vested and exercisable or will become vested and
exercisable within 60 days. |
8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board currently has seven directors, divided into three
classes, designated as Class I, Class II and
Class III. Members of each class serve for a three-year
term. Stockholders elect one class of directors at each annual
meeting. Our directors are expected to attend each Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and all of our directors attended our
2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 9, 2005.
The term of office of the current Class II directors will
expire at the meeting. The term of office for the Class III
directors will be subject to renewal in 2007 and the term of
office for the Class I directors will be subject to renewal
in 2008. Each director holds office until his or her successor
has been duly elected and qualified or the directors
earlier resignation, death or removal. The nominees are all
current directors of the Company, and each nominee has indicated
that he will serve if elected. We do not anticipate that any
nominee will be unable or unwilling to stand for election, but
if that happens, your proxy will be voted for another person
nominated by the Board.
The nominees for re-election for a three-year term ending in
2009 are as follows:
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First | |
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Became a | |
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Name (Age), Principal Occupation and Other Directorships |
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Director | |
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William P. Weidner (61)
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2004 |
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II |
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Mr. Weidner has been the President and Chief Operating
Officer and a director of the Company since August 2004. He has
been the President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Companys wholly owned operating subsidiary, Las Vegas
Sands, LLC (formerly known as Las Vegas Sands, Inc.), since
December 1995 and a director of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since
August 2004. From 1985 to 1995, Mr. Weidner was President
and Chief Operating Officer and served on the board of Pratt
Hotel Corporation. From February 1991 to December 1995,
Mr. Weidner was also the President of Pratts
Hollywood Casino-Aurora subsidiary and from June 1992 until
December 1995, he served on the board of the Hollywood Casino
Corporation. Since September 1993, Mr. Weidner has served
on the board of directors of Shorewood Packaging Corporation.
Mr. Weidner directed the opening of Hollywood Casino, one
of Chicagos first riverboat casino hotels, New York
Citys Maxims de Paris (now the Peninsula), and
hotels in Orlando and Palm Springs |
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Michael A. Leven (68)
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2004 |
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II |
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Mr. Leven has been a director of the Company since August
2004. He was a director of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. from May 2004
until July 2005. Mr. Leven has spent his entire 45-year
career in the hotel industry. Mr. Leven is the founder,
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of
U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc., which franchises the Microtel
Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites brands.
Mr. Leven formed U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. in 1995.
From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Leven was President and Chief
Operating Officer of Holiday Inns Worldwide. From 1985 to 1990,
he was president of Days Inn of America. Mr. Leven serves
as director of Hersha Hospitality Trust. Mr. Leven serves
on many other non-profit boards |
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9
The other members of the Board are as follows:
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First | |
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Became a | |
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Name (Age), Principal Occupation and Other Directorships |
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Director | |
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Class | |
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Sheldon G. Adelson (72)
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2004 |
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III |
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Mr. Adelson has been Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, Treasurer and a director of the Company since August
2004. He has been Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and a director of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since April 1988 when it
was formed to own and operate the former Sands Hotel and Casino.
Mr. Adelson has extensive experience in the convention,
trade show, and tour and travel businesses. Mr. Adelson
also has investments in other business enterprises.
Mr. Adelson created and developed the COMDEX Trade Shows,
including the COMDEX/ Fall Trade Show, which was the
worlds largest computer show in the 1990s, all of which
were sold to Softbank Corporation in April 1995.
Mr. Adelson also created and developed The Sands Expo
Center, which he grew into one of the largest convention and
trade show destinations in the United States before transferring
it to us in July 2004. He has been President and Chairman of
Interface Holding since the mid-1970s and Chairman of our
affiliate Interface Group-Massachusetts Inc. since 1990 |
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Irwin Chafetz (70)
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2005 |
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III |
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Mr. Chafetz has been a director of the Company since March
2005. He was a director of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. from March
until July 2005. Mr. Chafetz is a director of The Interface
Group, a Massachusetts Business Trust which controls Interface
Group-Massachusetts, LLC, a company that owns and operates GWV
Vacations, New Englands largest charter tour operator, and
Sunburst Vacations LLC, a national scheduled service tour
operator. Mr. Chafetz has been associated with GWV
Vacations and its predecessors since 1972. From 1989 to 1995,
Mr. Chafetz was a vice president and director of Interface
Group-Nevada, Inc., which owned and operated trade shows,
including COMDEX, which at its peak was the largest American
trade show with a presence in more than 20 countries, and also
owned and operated The Sands Expo Center, the largest
privately-owned convention center in the United States. From
1989 to 1995 Mr. Chafetz was also Vice President and a
director of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. Mr. Chafetz has served on
the boards of directors of many charitable and civic
organizations and is a member of the Deans Advisory
Council at Boston University School of Management and the Board
of Trustees at Suffolk University |
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Charles D. Forman (59)
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2004 |
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I |
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Mr. Forman has been a director of the Company since August
2004. He has been a director of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since March
2004. Mr. Forman has served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Centric Events Group, LLC, a trade show and
conference business since 2002. From 2000 to 2002, he served as
a director of a private company and participated in various
private equity investments. From 1995 to 2000, he held various
positions with subsidiaries of Softbank Corporation. During
2000, he was Executive Vice President of International
Operations of Key3Media, Inc. From 1998 to 2000, he was Chief
Legal Officer of ZD Events Inc., a tradeshow business that
included COMDEX, which was the largest tradeshow in the United
States in the 1990s. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Forman was
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Legal Officer of
Softbank Comdex Inc. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Forman was Vice
President and General Counsel of The Interface Group, a
tradeshow and convention business that owned and operated
COMDEX. Mr. Forman was in private law practice from 1972 to
1988 |
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10
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First | |
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Became a | |
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Name (Age), Principal Occupation and Other Directorships |
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Director | |
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Class | |
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James L. Purcell (76)
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2004 |
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III |
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Mr. Purcell has been a director of the Company since July
2004. He was a director of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. from June 2004
until July 2005. Mr. Purcell was a partner at the law firm
of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from
January 1964 through December 1999. Mr. Purcell has
practiced law in Boca Raton, Florida, since his retirement from
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
Mr. Purcell is a Director Emeritus of Kings College |
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Irwin A. Siegel (65)
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2005 |
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I |
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Mr. Siegel has been a director of the Company since
February 2005. He was a director of Las Vegas Sands, Inc. from
February 2005 until July 2005. Mr. Siegel is a certified
public accountant and was a partner (specializing in the
hospitality industry) in the international accounting and
consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1973 to
2003, when he retired. From 1996 through 1999 Mr. Siegel
served as the CEO of the Deloitte operations in the former
Soviet Union. Mr. Siegel has been working as a business
consultant since 2003. Mr. Siegel has served on the boards
of directors of many charitable and civic organizations and is
the president of the Weinstein Hospice in Atlanta |
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
Exchange Act) requires the Companys
executive officers and directors to file reports of ownership of
our Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Executive officers and directors are required to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they
file. Based upon a review of these filings and representations
from the Companys directors and executive officers that no
other reports were required, the Company notes that all reports
for the year 2005 were filed on a timely basis, except that due
to administrative errors, Form 4s for each of
Messrs. Chafetz, Forman, Leven, Purcell and Siegel
reporting their annual award of 1,348 shares of the
Companys restricted stock were filed late and Form 4s
for each of Messrs. Serwin and Siegel reporting their
annual award of options to purchase 12,750 and
5,100 shares of the Companys Common Stock,
respectively, were filed late.
11
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS
COMMITTEES
Board
NYSE Listing Standards. Certain provisions of the
corporate governance rules of the NYSE are not applicable to
controlled companies. Controlled
companies under those rules are companies of which more
than 50 percent of the voting power is held by an
individual, a group or another company. The Company currently is
a controlled company under this definition by virtue
of the ownership by Mr. Adelson of in excess of
50 percent of the voting power of the Common Stock and his
ability to elect the entire Board. Accordingly, the Company has
chosen to take advantage of certain of the exemptions provided
in the NYSE rules. Specifically, the Company is not required to
have a majority of independent directors or a
nominating/governance committee or a compensation committee
composed entirely of independent directors.
Independent Directors. As a controlled
company pursuant to the rules of the NYSE, we are not required
to have a majority of independent directors on our Board. The
Board has determined that three of the seven members of the
Board currently satisfy the criteria for independence under
applicable Exchange Act and NYSE rules, namely
Messrs. Leven, Purcell and Siegel. In making its
determination, the Board reviewed all the relevant facts and
circumstances, the standards set forth in our Corporate
Governance Guidelines, the NYSE rules and other applicable laws
and regulations.
Two of our directors, Messrs. Chafetz and Forman, have
business and personal relationships with our controlling
stockholder, Mr. Adelson. Mr. Chafetz was a
stockholder, vice president and director of the entity that
owned and operated the COMDEX trade show and The Sands Expo
Center which were created and developed by Mr. Adelson.
Mr. Forman was vice president and general counsel of this
entity. Mr. Chafetz is also a director and a 12.5%
shareholder of entities that control GWV Vacations and Sunburst
Vacations and that are controlled by Mr. Adelson.
Mr. Forman is also a trustee of several trusts for the
benefit of Mr. Adelson and his family that beneficially own
approximately 16.9% of our Common Stock and a trustee of a trust
for the benefit of Mr. Chafetzs children. These
relationships with Mr. Adelson also include making joint
investments and other significant financial dealings. As a
result, Messrs. Adelson, Chafetz and Forman may have their
financial interests aligned and therefore, the Board does not
consider Messrs. Chafetz and Forman to be independent
directors.
Board Meetings. The Board held 11 meetings and acted by
written consent six times during 2005. The work of the
Companys directors is performed not only at meetings of
the Board and its committees, but also by consideration of the
Companys business through the review of documents and in
numerous communications among Board members and others. During
2005, all directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of
all meetings of the Board and committees on which they served
(held during the period for which they served).
Committees
Standing Committees. Our Board has two standing
committees: an audit committee (the Audit
Committee) and a compensation committee (the
Compensation Committee). We are not required
to have a nominating committee and the director nomination
function is performed by the Board as a whole as described under
Corporate Governance Nomination of
Directors below.
Audit Committee. The primary purpose of the Audit
Committee is to assist the Board in monitoring the integrity of
our financial statements, our independent registered public
accounting firms qualifications and independence, the
performance of our audit function and independent registered
public accounting firm and our compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements. Among other things, our Audit Committee
selects our independent registered public accounting firm and
reviews with such firm the plan, scope and results of such
audit, and the fees for the services performed. The Audit
Committee also reviews with the independent registered public
accounting firm and internal auditors the adequacy of internal
control systems, receives internal audit reports and reports its
findings to the full Board.
12
The current members of our Audit Committee are Irwin A. Siegel
(Chairman), Michael A. Leven and James L. Purcell. The Board has
determined that each of Messrs. Siegel, Leven and Purcell
is independent under applicable NYSE and federal securities
rules and regulations on independence of Audit Committee
members. Charles D. Forman served on the Audit Committee until
December 14, 2005, and served as its Chairman until
February 6, 2005. The Board determined that Mr. Forman
was not independent for purposes of the NYSE rules and
regulations because he is a trustee of certain trusts
established by Mr. Adelson for his benefit and the benefit
of his family members. Under the transition rules of the NYSE,
our Audit Committee had to be composed entirely of independent
directors by December 14, 2005 (one year from the date of
effectiveness of the registration statement filed with the SEC
in connection with our initial public offering), but before that
time our Audit Committee was permitted to have only a majority
of independent directors. The Board determined that it was in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to take
advantage of the transition rules of the NYSE and maintain
Mr. Forman as a member of the Companys Audit
Committee until December 14, 2005, so that the Audit
Committee would continue to have the benefit of
Mr. Formans experience as chairman of the Audit
Committee prior to and immediately following the Companys
initial public offering. Mr. Forman resigned from the Audit
Committee on December 14, 2005. The Board has determined
that each of the members of the Audit Committee is
financially literate and that Mr. Siegel
qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as
defined in the NYSEs listing standards and the SEC
regulations. The Audit Committee held seven meetings and did not
act by written consent during 2005.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has
the authority to approve salaries and bonuses and other
compensation matters for our officers. In addition, the
Compensation Committee has the authority to approve employee
benefit plans as well as administer our 1997 Fixed Stock Option
Plan (the 1997 Plan) and our 2004 Equity
Award Plan (the 2004 Plan). The current
members of the Compensation Committee are Charles D. Forman
(Chair), Irwin Chafetz, Michael A. Leven, and James L. Purcell.
The Compensation Committee held five meetings and did not act by
written consent during 2005. Under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code (Section 162(m)),
compensation paid to members of senior management in excess of
$1 million per year is not deductible by the Company unless
the compensation is performance-based as described
in the applicable regulations. In 2005, the Compensation
Committee established a Performance Subcommittee to make the
required determinations relating to performance
based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m).
Messrs. Leven (Chair) and Purcell are the members of the
Performance Subcommittee and are independent directors under
Section 162(m). The Performance Subcommittee met five times
(as part of each Compensation Committee meeting) and also acted
once by written consent during 2005.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation. The members of the Compensation Committee in
2005 were Messrs. Forman, Chafetz, Leven and Purcell.
Mr. Forman was, from 1989 to 1995, an officer of Interface
Group-Massachusetts, Inc. and Interface Group-Nevada, Inc.,
companies controlled by Mr. Adelson (our principal
stockholder). Mr. Chafetz is a director of The
Interface Group, a Massachusetts Business Trust which controls
Interface Group-Massachusetts, LLC, a company that owns and
operates GWV Vacations and Sunburst Vacations LLC. From 1989 to
1995, Mr. Chafetz was a vice president and director of
Interface Group-Nevada, Inc. and a director and vice-president
of our subsidiary, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. Except as described
above, none of the other members of our Compensation Committee
is, or has been, an employee or officer of the Company. None of
our executive officers serves, or in the past year has served,
as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee of any entity
that has one or more executive officers who serve on our Board
or Compensation Committee.
Director Compensation
Each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of
$50,000 and an annual grant of restricted stock equal in value
to $50,000. The restricted stock is subject to a one year
forfeiture period and may not be sold until the director retires
from the Board (except to the extent necessary to cover taxes
incurred as a result of the vesting of the restricted stock). In
addition, each non-employee director receives a one time grant
of options upon becoming a non-employee director with an
aggregate value of $100,000 on the date of grant (based on the
Black-Scholes option valuation model). These options vest at a
rate of 20% of the option grant
13
each year over five years. Both the restricted stock grants and
the options are granted to the directors pursuant to our 2004
Plan. In 2005, Messrs. Chafetz, Forman, Leven, Purcell and
Siegel each received 1,348 restricted shares of stock and
Messrs. Chafetz and Siegel received options to
purchase 4,970 and 5,100 shares of Common Stock,
respectively, as their one-time option grants upon becoming
non-employee directors.
We pay non-employee directors $1,500 for each meeting of the
Board that they attend ($750 for telephonic meetings) and $1,000
for each meeting of a committee of the Board that they attend
($500 for telephonic meetings). Annual retainers are paid to the
chairperson of each committee of the Board as follows: Audit
Committee chairperson, increased from $10,000 to $20,000,
effective January 1, 2006; and Compensation Committee
chairperson, $5,000. The above cash compensation may be deferred
by directors into a deferred compensation plan that we have
established. Directors are also reimbursed for expenses incurred
in connection with their service as directors, including travel
expenses for meeting attendance. As a retired partner of Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP,
Mr. Purcell is obligated to turn over to his former law
firm all consideration he receives as a director of our Company.
Corporate Governance
Commitment to Corporate Governance. Our Board and
management have a strong commitment to effective corporate
governance. We have in place a comprehensive corporate
governance framework for our operations which, among other
things, takes into account the requirements of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable rules and regulations
of the SEC and the NYSE. The key components of this framework
are set forth in our amended and restated articles of
incorporation and by-laws and the following additional documents:
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our Audit Committee Charter; |
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our Compensation Committee Charter; |
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our Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
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our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and |
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our Statement on Reporting Ethical Violations. |
Copies of each of these documents are available on our website
at www.lasvegassands.com by clicking on Investor
Information, then Corporate Governance. Copies
also are available without charge by sending a written request
to the Corporate Secretary at the following address: Las Vegas
Sands Corp., 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada
89109.
Corporate Governance Guidelines. We have adopted
Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Company setting forth
the general principles governing the conduct of the
Companys business and the role, functions, duties and
responsibilities of the Board, including, but not limited to
such matters as composition, membership criteria, orientation
and continuing education, retirement, committees, compensation,
meeting procedures, annual evaluation and management succession
planning.
Code of Conduct. We have adopted a Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Companys
directors, officers (including the principal executive officer,
principal financial officer and principal accounting officer),
employees and agents. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
establishes policies and procedures that the Board believes
promote the highest standards of integrity, compliance with the
law and personal accountability. The Companys Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics is provided to all new directors,
officers and employees.
Statement on Reporting Ethical Violations. We have
adopted a Statement on Reporting Ethical Violations to
facilitate and encourage the reporting of any misconduct at the
Company, including violations or potential violations of our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and ensure that those
reporting such misconduct will not be subject to harassment,
intimidation or other retaliatory action. The Statement on
Reporting Ethical Violations is provided to all new directors,
officers and employees.
14
Nomination of Directors. The Board does not have a
standing nominating committee because it has determined that it
is in the best interests of the Company for this function to be
performed by the Board as a whole. The candidates for election
at this annual meeting were nominated by the Board. The Board,
in making its selection of director candidates, considers the
appropriate skills and personal characteristics required in
light of the then-current makeup of the Board and in the context
of the perceived needs of the Company at the time.
The Board considers a number of factors in selecting director
candidates, including:
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the ethical standards and integrity in personal and professional
dealings of the candidate; |
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the independence of the candidate under legal, regulatory and
other applicable standards; |
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the diversity of the existing Board, so that we maintain a body
of directors from diverse professional and personal backgrounds; |
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whether the skills and experience of the candidate will
complement that of the existing Board; |
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the number of other public company boards of directors on which
the candidate serves or intends to serve, with the expectation
that the candidate would not serve on the boards of directors of
more than three other public companies; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to dedicate
sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure the diligent
performance of his or her Board duties; |
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the ability of the candidate to read and understand fundamental
financial statements and understand the use of financial ratios
and information in evaluating the financial performance of the
Company; |
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the willingness of the candidate to be accountable for his or
her decisions as a director; |
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the ability of the candidate to provide wise and thoughtful
counsel on a broad range of issues; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to interact with
other directors in a manner that encourages responsible, open,
challenging and inspired discussion; |
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whether the candidate has a history of achievements that
reflects high standards; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to be committed to,
and enthusiastic about, his or her performance for the Company
as a director, both in absolute terms and relative to his or her
peers; |
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whether the candidate possesses the courage to express views
openly, even in the face of opposition; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to comply with the
duties and responsibilities set forth in the Corporate
Governance Guidelines and By-Laws of the Company; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to comply with the
duties of care, loyalty and confidentiality applicable to
directors of publicly traded corporations organized in our
jurisdiction of incorporation; |
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the ability and willingness of the candidate to adhere to the
Companys Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, including,
but not limited to, the policies on conflicts of interest
expressed therein; and |
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such other attributes of the candidate and external factors as
the Board deems appropriate. |
The Board has the discretion to weight these factors as it deems
appropriate. The importance of these factors may vary from
candidate to candidate.
The Board will consider candidates recommended by directors and
members of management and may, in its discretion, engage one or
more search firms to assist in the recruitment of director
candidates. The Board does not have a policy for considering
director candidates recommended by security holders and believes
that not having such a policy is appropriate in light of our
principal stockholders majority ownership of the
Companys Common Stock.
15
Presiding Non-Management Director. In accordance with
applicable rules of the NYSE and the Companys Corporate
Governance Guidelines, the Board meets at least quarterly in
executive session without management directors or any members of
the Companys management being present. At each executive
session a presiding director chosen by a majority of the
directors present at such session presides over the session.
Stockholder Communications with the Board and Audit
Committee. The Board has established a process for
stockholders to communicate with members of the Board, the Audit
Committee, the non-management directors and the presiding
non-management director of executive sessions of the Board.
Stockholders interested in contacting our Board, the Chairman of
the Board, the presiding non-management director of executive
sessions or any individual director are invited to do so by
writing to:
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Board of Directors of Las Vegas Sands Corp.
c/o Corporate Secretary
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 |
Complaints and concerns relating to our accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters should be communicated
to the Audit Committee of our Board using the procedures
described below. All other stockholder communications addressed
to our Board will be referred to our presiding non-management
director of executive sessions and tracked by the Corporate
Secretary. Stockholder communications addressed to a particular
director will be referred to that director.
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Audit Committee Communications |
Complaints and concerns relating to our accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing mattes should be communicated
to the Audit Committee of our Board, which consists solely of
non-employee directors. Any such communication may be anonymous
and may be reported to the Audit Committee through our General
Counsel by writing to:
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Las Vegas Sands Corp.
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Attention: General Counsel |
All such concerns will be reviewed under Audit Committee
direction and oversight by the General Counsel, Internal Audit,
or such other persons as the Audit Committee determines to be
appropriate. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest
extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate
review. Prompt and appropriate corrective action will be taken
when and as warranted in the judgment of the Audit Committee.
The General Counsel will prepare a periodic summary report of
all such communications for the Audit Committee.
16
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
This section contains certain information about our executive
officers, including their names and ages (as of the mailing of
these proxy materials), positions held and periods during which
they have held such positions. There are no arrangements or
understandings between our officers and any other person
pursuant to which they were selected as officers.
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Name |
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Age | |
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Title |
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Sheldon G. Adelson
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72 |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer |
William P. Weidner
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61 |
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President and Chief Operating Officer |
Bradley H. Stone
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51 |
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Executive Vice President |
Robert G. Goldstein
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50 |
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Senior Vice President |
Scott D. Henry
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41 |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Bradley K. Serwin
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45 |
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General Counsel and Secretary |
Wesley D. Allison
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45 |
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Acting Chief Accounting Officer |
For background information on Messrs. Adelson and Weidner,
please see Board of Directors.
Bradley H. Stone has been Executive Vice President of our
Company since August 2004. He has been Executive Vice President
of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since December 1995. From June 1984
through December 1995, Mr. Stone was President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City.
Mr. Stone also served as an Executive Vice President of the
parent Pratt Hotel Corporation from June 1986 through December
1995.
Robert G. Goldstein has been Senior Vice President of our
Company since August 2004. He has been Senior Vice President of
Las Vegas Sands, LLC since December 1995. From 1992 until
joining our Company in December 1995, Mr. Goldstein was the
Executive Vice President of Marketing at the Sands in Atlantic
City as well as an Executive Vice President of the parent Pratt
Hotel Corporation.
Scott D. Henry has been Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of our Company since September 2004. From May
2001 until September 2004, Mr. Henry was a Managing
Director in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Group
at ABN AMRO Incorporated. From January 2000 to May 2001, he was
a Managing Director in the Telecommunications Group at ING
Barings in New York. Prior to joining ING Barings,
Mr. Henry was a Managing Director in the Media,
Entertainment and Communications Group at Prudential Securities
and the head of Prudentials Gaming and Leisure practice.
Mr. Henry joined Prudential in March 1997.
Bradley K. Serwin has been the General Counsel and
Secretary of our Company since January 2005. From June 1999
until January 2005, Mr. Serwin served as Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of
Ticketmaster, a ticketing and access company, and its
predecessors. Prior to joining Ticketmaster, Mr. Serwin
served from March 1995 until May 1999 as Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Paula Financial, a
publicly-traded insurance and financial services company. From
1986 until March 1995, Mr. Serwin practiced law with Gibson
Dunn & Crutcher.
Wesley D. Allison has been Acting Chief Accounting
Officer of the Company since December 2005. Prior to that,
Mr. Allison served as the Vice President, Finance at the
Companys subsidiary, Venetian Casino Resort, LLC, since
August 2005. From May 2004 until he joined our Company,
Mr. Allison was the Senior Vice President, Interim Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate Controller at Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. From July 2002 until May 2004, he was the
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller and from December
1998 until July 2002, he was the Vice President and Corporate
Controller at Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Mr. Allison has
announced his intention to resign from the Company, effective
May 4, 2006.
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information concerning the
compensation earned by or paid to Sheldon G. Adelson (our
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer), and each of
our four other most highly compensated executive officers (with
Mr. Adelson, the named executive
officers) during each of the past three fiscal years.
Summary Compensation Table
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Securities | |
|
All Other | |
|
|
| |
|
Stock Awards | |
|
Underlying | |
|
Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary($) | |
|
Bonus ($)(1) | |
|
($)(2) | |
|
Options (#)(3) | |
|
($)(4) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sheldon G. Adelson
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
1,009,615 |
|
|
|
2,576,697 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
Chairman of the Board,
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
1,557,692 |
|
|
|
30,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William P. Weidner
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
1,004,564 |
|
|
|
1,987,316 |
|
|
|
1,111,026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
President and Chief
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
1,282,561 |
|
|
|
13,157,243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,026,313 |
|
|
|
81,913 |
|
|
Operating Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
1,187,648 |
|
|
|
885,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
186,464 |
|
|
Bradley H. Stone
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
999,805 |
|
|
|
1,321,977 |
|
|
|
972,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,708 |
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
1,026,049 |
|
|
|
12,606,033 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
780,172 |
|
|
|
26,798 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
950,118 |
|
|
|
708,784 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,098 |
|
|
Robert G. Goldstein
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
964,288 |
|
|
|
1,085,507 |
|
|
|
833,258 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
961,921 |
|
|
|
11,944,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
484,030 |
|
|
|
52,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
890,736 |
|
|
|
664,485 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,181 |
|
|
Scott D.
Henry(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
519,174 |
|
|
|
277,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
826 |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
144,230 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,873 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
|
and Chief Financial
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Bonus amounts reflect bonuses earned for performance during the
indicated year, regardless of when paid. Since our initial
public offering, all bonuses have been approved by the
Compensation Committee or its Performance Subcommittee, as
applicable. The bonuses reported above in respect of 2005 were
paid in February 2006. Due to an improper interpretation of
their employment agreements, the bonus payments made to the
named executives exceeded the bonuses earned by them under their
respective employment agreements by the amounts set forth after
their names as follows: Mr. Adelson ($876,697);
Mr. Weidner ($712,316); Mr. Stone ($536,977);
Mr. Goldstein ($458,257); and Mr. Henry ($219,174). On
March 1, 2006, the Compensation Committee met to consider
what action should be taken with respect to the overpayments. A
majority of the Committee concluded that the outstanding
performance of the Company in 2005 justified payment to the
executives of supplemental bonuses equal to the overpayments
made to each of them in February. James L. Purcell, a member of
the Compensation Committee and of its Performance Subcommittee,
dissented. In July 2004, we made one-time cash incentive
payments to Messrs. Adelson, Weidner, Stone and Goldstein
in the amounts of $30.0 million, $11.2 million,
$10.2 million and $10.6 million, respectively. These
incentive payments were paid to these executives for the
significant value they created in connection with securing the
financing of the Phase II mall and arranging for the sale
of the Phase II mall. |
(2) |
On January 11, 2006, we awarded shares of restricted stock
under our 2004 Equity Award Plan to Messrs. Weidner, Stone,
Goldstein and Henry in connection with their employment with our
Company during 2005. The amounts shown in the table represent
the market value of the shares of restricted stock, |
18
|
|
|
based on the closing price of $47.32 per share of our
Common Stock on the NYSE on the grant date. None of these
individuals held any shares of restricted stock as of
December 31, 2005. Based on the closing price of
$39.47 per share of our Common Stock on the NYSE on
December 30, 2005, Mr. Weidner held 23,479 shares
of restricted stock having an aggregate value of $926,716;
Mr. Stone held 20,544 shares of restricted stock
having an aggregate value of $810,872; Mr. Goldstein held
17,609 shares of restricted stock having an aggregate value
of $695,027; and Mr. Henry held 5,869 shares of
restricted stock having an aggregate value of $231,649. Holders
of shares of restricted stock are credited with any dividends
that would be payable on the shares of Common Stock. Each of the
awards of restricted stock vests in three equal installments,
beginning on January 1, 2007. The unvested portion of each
restricted stock award is subject to forfeiture upon termination
of the holders employment. |
|
(3) |
Amounts reported include options granted in such years under our
1997 Plan and our 2004 Plan. No options were granted to the
named executive officers during 2005. |
|
(4) |
Amounts included in All Other Compensation are
detailed in the following table. |
All Other Compensation
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
401(k) Plan | |
|
Life Insurance | |
|
Airplane | |
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
Year | |
|
($)(i) | |
|
($)(ii) | |
|
Use ($)(iii) | |
|
Other ($)(iv) | |
|
Total ($)(v) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sheldon G.
Adelson(vi)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William P. Weidner
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
3,465 |
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
2,411 |
|
|
|
67,382 |
|
|
|
8,730 |
|
|
|
81.913 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
2,322 |
|
|
|
171,555 |
|
|
|
9,197 |
|
|
|
186,464 |
|
Bradley H. Stone
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
3,465 |
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
9,417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,708 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
841 |
|
|
|
16,020 |
|
|
|
6,547 |
|
|
|
26,798 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
810 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,898 |
|
|
|
11,098 |
|
Robert G. Goldstein
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
3,465 |
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,291 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
841 |
|
|
|
43,834 |
|
|
|
4,365 |
|
|
|
52,430 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
|
810 |
|
|
|
57,382 |
|
|
|
4,599 |
|
|
|
66,181 |
|
Scott D. Henry
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
|
Amounts listed are matching contributions made under The
Venetian Casino Resort, LLC 401(k) Plan, which is a
tax-qualified defined contribution plan that is generally
available to our eligible employees. |
|
(ii) |
|
Amounts imputed as income in connection with our payment in the
applicable year of a premium on group term life insurance, the
insurance coverage being equal to two times base salary, up to a
maximum of $500,000. This group term life insurance is generally
available to all salaried employees. |
|
(iii) |
|
During 2003, 2004 and occasionally during 2005, our executive
officers were provided with the opportunity to use airplanes
that we own or lease for personal use, and the officer is deemed
to have received the value of the airplane use. This value was
calculated as being equal to the Companys incremental cost
of such use. |
|
(iv) |
|
Consists of (1) reimbursement of professional fees paid by
Mr. Adelson pursuant to the terms of his employment
agreement and (2) the value of imputed interest on a loan
to each of Messrs. Weidner, Stone and Goldstein. All such
loans have been repaid in full. |
|
(v) |
|
During each of 2003, 2004 and 2005, the executive officers
participated in a group supplemental medical and accidental
death and disability insurance program available only to certain
of our senior officers. The supplemental insurance coverage is
in excess of that coverage provided by our group medical plan
and the aggregate program cost to us during each of 2003, 2004
and 2005 was $80,512, $54,194 and $48,234, respectively. |
19
|
|
|
(vi) |
|
Mr. Adelson reimburses the Company for the portion of the
Companys cost to provide security and automobiles to
Mr. Adelson and his immediate family which the Company has
determined to be the personal value to him as opposed to a
business expense for the Company. Accordingly, Mr. Adelson
did not receive personal compensation for security or
automobiles and no personal compensation is shown in the table. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Henry joined the Company in September 2004. |
Stock Option Grants in 2005
No stock options were granted to any of our named executive
officers for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
On January 11, 2006, we awarded options to purchase shares
of our Common Stock under our 2004 Plan to the following
individuals in connection with their employment with our Company
during 2006: Mr. Weidner, 71,006 shares;
Mr. Stone, 62,130 shares; Mr. Goldstein,
53,254 shares; and Mr. Henry, 17,751 shares. The
exercise price per share for each of the options is $42.59. Each
of the options vests in four equal installments, beginning on
January 1, 2007.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and Option Values on
December 31, 2005
The following tables show stock options to purchase our Common
Stock that our named executive officers exercised during 2005
and the number of shares and the value of grants outstanding as
of December 31, 2005 for each named executive officer.
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-the Money | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/SARs at | |
|
Options/SARs at | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY-End (#) | |
|
FY-End ($)(a) | |
|
|
Shares Acquired | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Named Executive Officer |
|
on Exercise | |
|
Value Realized ($) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sheldon G. Adelson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,950 |
|
|
|
68,850 |
|
|
$ |
240,287 |
|
|
$ |
720,860 |
|
William P. Weidner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,873 |
|
|
|
62,620 |
|
|
|
218,540 |
|
|
|
655,631 |
|
Bradley H. Stone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,264 |
|
|
|
54,793 |
|
|
|
191,224 |
|
|
|
573,683 |
|
Robert G. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,655 |
|
|
|
46,965 |
|
|
|
163,908 |
|
|
|
491,724 |
|
Scott D. Henry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,218 |
|
|
|
15,655 |
|
|
|
54,632 |
|
|
|
163,908 |
|
|
|
(a) |
Based on the per share price of our Common Stock at
December 30, 2005 of $39.47. |
Plans
|
|
|
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. 1997 Fixed Stock Option Plan |
We assumed the Las Vegas Sands, Inc. 1997 Fixed Stock Option
Plan on December 20, 2004. The 1997 Plan provides for
19,952,456 shares of our Common Stock to be reserved for
issuance to officers and other key employees or consultants of
our Company or any of our affiliates or
subsidiaries (each as defined in the 1997 Plan)
pursuant to options granted under the 1997 Plan. The 1997 Plan
was terminated with respect to future grants effective on
December 20, 2004, and no options remain outstanding under
the 1997 Plan as of December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
Las Vegas Sands Corp. 2004 Equity Award Plan |
We adopted the Las Vegas Sands Corp. 2004 Equity Award Plan,
which became effective on December 15, 2004. Our
Compensation Committee administers our 2004 Plan. Our
Compensation Committee has full discretion to administer and
interpret the 2004 Plan, to adopt such rules, regulations and
procedures as it deems necessary or advisable and to determine,
among other things, the time or times at which the awards may be
exercised and whether and under what circumstances an award may
be exercised.
20
The 2004 Plan provides for an aggregate of
26,344,000 shares of our Common Stock to be available for
awards to any of our, our subsidiaries or our
affiliates employees, directors, officers or consultants.
The Compensation Committee may grant awards of nonqualified
stock options, incentive (qualified) stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock
units, stock bonus awards, performance compensation awards or
any combination of the foregoing. Each award granted by our
Compensation Committee is subject to the terms and conditions
established by the Compensation Committee.
No participant may be granted awards of options and stock
appreciation rights with respect to more than
3,000,000 shares of Common Stock in any one year. No more
than 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted under
our 2004 Plan with respect to performance compensation awards in
any one year. Under our 2004 Plan, our non-employee directors
receive automatic awards of options and restricted stock.
The 2004 Plan has a term of ten years and no further awards may
be granted after the expiration of the term.
In the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2004
Plan) if our Compensation Committee so determines:
|
|
|
|
|
all outstanding options and equity (other than performance
compensation awards) issued under the 2004 Plan shall fully vest; |
|
|
|
performance compensation awards shall vest based on the level of
attainment of the performance goals; and/or |
|
|
|
outstanding awards may be cancelled and the value of the awards
paid to the participants in connection with a change in control. |
2005 Awards under the 2004 Plan. During 2005 options to
purchase an aggregate of 304,820 shares of our Common Stock
under our 2004 Plan were granted to two of our directors and
several newly hired key employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries with a weighted average exercise price per share
equal to $35.50. Also during 2005, 8,088 shares of
restricted stock were granted under our 2004 Plan to five of our
directors and one key employee of one of our subsidiaries.
|
|
|
Executive Cash Incentive Plan |
The purpose of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. Executive Cash
Incentive Plan (the Incentive Plan) is to
establish a program of annual incentive compensation awards for
designated officers and other key executives of Las Vegas Sands
Corp. and its subsidiaries and divisions that is directly
related to our performance results and to ensure that bonus
payments made to the named executive officers will be tax
deductible to us under either the performance-based
compensation exception to Section 162(m) of the Code
or transitional rules applicable following an initial public
offering.
The Incentive Plan is administered by our Compensation
Committee, which has all the authority that may be necessary or
helpful to enable it to discharge its responsibilities with
respect to the Incentive Plan. Except as otherwise specifically
limited in the Incentive Plan, our Compensation Committee has
full power and authority to construe, interpret and administer
the incentive plan.
For each performance period, our Compensation Committee
establishes a maximum award and goals for each participant
(performance goals). Performance goals may
relate to our performance, the performance of one or more of our
subsidiaries, divisions or departments and/or performance
specific to the participants function. Participants earn
awards only upon the attainment of the applicable performance
goals during the applicable performance period, as and to the
extent established by our Compensation Committee. The maximum
amount payable to a participant in respect of an annual bonus
award that is intended to qualify for the
performance-based compensation exception to
Section 162(m) of the Code is $10.0 million.
21
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan |
The Las Vegas Sands Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan, which was
effective as of January 1, 2005, provides benefits to
non-employee directors and a select group of management or
highly paid employees to be selected by our Compensation
Committee. All non-employee directors are eligible to
participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Deferred Compensation Plan allows participating employees to
defer payment of their base salary and/or bonus and non-employee
directors to defer payment of director fees. With respect to
each calendar year, a participating employee may elect to defer
up to 75% of his base salary and 100% of his bonus, subject to a
minimum deferral of $5,000 in the aggregate. Non-employee
directors may defer 100% of their annual director fees (with no
required minimum deferral). In addition, we may make
contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of a
participant that may be subject to vesting requirements
described in the Deferred Compensation Plan. All amounts
credited to a participants accounts under the Deferred
Compensation Plan are deemed to be invested in one or more
measurement funds selected by the participant, which funds
reflect rates of return under mutual funds selected by the
compensation committee.
There are currently no participants in the Deferred Compensation
Plan.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table shows certain information with respect to
our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2005.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
Securities to be | |
|
|
|
Remaining Available for | |
|
|
Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Future Issuance Under | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Equity Compensation | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Plans (Excluding | |
|
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Securities Reflected in | |
Plan Category |
|
and Rights | |
|
and Rights($) | |
|
Column(a)) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders(1)
|
|
|
2,097,960 |
(2) |
|
|
29.83 |
|
|
|
24,227,152 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,097,960 |
|
|
|
29.83 |
|
|
|
24,227,152 |
(3) |
|
|
(1) |
Our 1997 Plan and our 2004 Plan were approved by our
stockholders prior to our initial public offering. |
|
(2) |
This includes 2,097,960 options granted pursuant to our 2004
Plan and 0 options outstanding under our 1997 Plan and takes
into account the forfeiture of options to
purchase 381,843 shares in connection with employee
separations. |
|
(3) |
This includes only securities available for issuance pursuant to
our 2004 Plan. As of December 20, 2004, no additional
securities were available for grant under our 1997 Plan. |
Employment Agreements
Messrs. Adelson, Weidner, Stone and Goldstein each has
entered into an employment agreement with Las Vegas Sands, Inc.
(currently known as Las Vegas Sands, LLC) and Las Vegas Sands
Corp. for a five-year term, commencing as of December 20,
2004, with automatic one-year extension rights. Mr. Henry
has entered into an employment agreement with Las Vegas Sands,
Inc. (currently known as Las Vegas Sands, LLC) and Las Vegas
Sands Corp. for a three-year term, effective as of
September 13, 2004, with automatic one year extension
rights.
Pursuant to these employment agreements, these executive
officers have such powers, duties and responsibilities as are
generally associated with their offices, as may be modified or
assigned by in the case of Mr. Adelson, the board of
directors, and in the case of the other executives, our chief
executive officer and the
22
board of directors and subject to the supervision of our chief
executive officer and the board of directors. Mr. Adelson
also serves as the Chairman of the board of directors of both
Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Las Vegas Sands, LLC during the term
of his employment agreement except under specific circumstances.
Under the employment agreements, Messrs. Adelson, Weidner,
Stone, Goldstein and Henry receive annual base salaries of
$1,000,000, $1,000,000, $1,000,000, $965,000 and $500,000,
respectively. These executive officers also receive:
|
|
|
|
|
annual bonuses based on the attainment of certain performance
targets pursuant to the Executive Cash Incentive Plan (as
described above under Executive Compensation and Other
Information Plans Executive Cash
Incentive Plan); and |
|
|
|
annual grants of options and, subject to the attainment of
certain performance targets, restricted stock awards, pursuant,
in each case, to our 2004 Plan (as described above under
Executive Compensation and Other Information
Plans Las Vegas Sands Corp. 2004 Equity Award
Plan). |
Mr. Adelson is entitled to be reimbursed up to $100,000,
and Mr. Weidner is entitled to be reimbursed up to $50,000,
per fiscal year for personal legal and financial planning fees
and expenses upon the submission of substantiating
documentation. Mr. Adelson is entitled during the term of
his employment, at our sole cost and expense, to the full-time
and exclusive use of an automobile and a driver of his choice,
security services for himself, his spouse and children. In
addition, we have obtained access to a Boeing Business Jet
pursuant to a timesharing agreement with an entity controlled by
Mr. Adelson. Subject to the availability of this aircraft
to us under the timesharing agreement, we make this aircraft
available to Mr. Adelson for business travel. When this
aircraft is not available, we make available a Gulfstream
large-cabin aircraft for Mr. Adelsons business
travel. The executive officers are also entitled to receive
other employee benefits generally made available to our
employees.
In the event of a termination of the employment of one of these
executive officers for cause (as defined in the applicable
employment agreement) or a voluntary termination by the
executive officer (other than for good reason), all salary and
benefits for the executive officer will immediately cease
(subject to any requirements of law).
In the event of a termination of the employment of one of these
executive officers by us without cause or a voluntary
termination by the executive officer for good reason (as defined
in the applicable employment agreement) other than during the
two year period following a change in control (as defined in the
2004 Plan), we will be obligated to pay or provide the executive
officer with:
|
|
|
|
|
his salary and base bonus for the rest of the term of his
employment agreement (if the officer becomes employed elsewhere,
we are obligated to pay the difference, if any, between 50% of
the salary and bonus compensation earned in such other
employment and the salary and base bonus payable under his
employment agreement with us); |
|
|
|
a pro rata annual supplemental bonus at the time the bonus would
normally be paid; |
|
|
|
full vesting of all unvested options and restricted stock
outstanding on the date of termination; and |
|
|
|
continued health and welfare benefits for the remainder of the
term of the employment agreement (or, if earlier, until the
executive officer receives health and welfare coverage with a
subsequent employer). |
In the event of a termination of the employment of one of these
executive officers by us without cause or a termination by the
executive officer for good reason within the two-year period
following a change in control or in the case of
Mr. Adelson, or voluntary termination without good reason
at any time during the one-year period following a change in
control, we will be obligated to pay or provide the executive
officer with:
|
|
|
|
|
a lump sum payment of two times his salary plus base bonus for
the year of termination; |
|
|
|
full vesting of all unvested options and restricted stock awards
outstanding on the date of termination; |
|
|
|
a pro rata annual supplemental bonus for the year of
termination; and |
23
|
|
|
|
|
continued health and welfare benefits for two years following
termination (or, if earlier, until the executive officer
receives health and welfare coverage with a subsequent employer). |
In the case of a termination of the employment of one of these
executive officers due to his death or disability (as defined in
the applicable employment agreement), the executive officer will
be entitled to receive:
|
|
|
|
|
continued payments of salary and base bonus, less any applicable
disability short term insurance payments, for a period of twelve
months following the date of termination; |
|
|
|
accelerated vesting of options and restricted stock awards such
that all such options and awards that would have vested during
the twelve month period following the date of termination will
become vested as of the date of termination; and |
|
|
|
a pro rata annual supplemental bonus payable at the time the
bonus would normally be paid. |
If one of these executive officers terminates employment on or
after the last day of a fiscal year but before the actual grant
date of the restricted stock award for that fiscal year, he will
be granted a fully vested award for that fiscal year on the date
the award would have otherwise been made (and subject to the
applicable performance target being achieved) equal to the
number of shares he would have been awarded multiplied by the
following applicable percentage:
|
|
|
|
|
0% if the termination was for cause or a voluntary termination
(other than for good reason or retirement); |
|
|
|
331/3
% if the termination was due to death or
disability; and |
|
|
|
100% if the termination is by us without cause or by the
executive for good reason or due to retirement. |
The employment agreements may not be amended, changed or
modified except by a written document signed by each of the
parties.
For additional information regarding the executive
officers rights following termination, see Certain
Transactions Stock Option and Other Loans. The
employment agreements may not be amended, changed or modified
except by a written document signed by each of the parties.
24
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation governance
The Compensation Committee (the Committee)
has direct responsibility for approving compensation awarded to
all executive officers of the Company, including the named
executive officers (the Executive Officers).
The Committee authorizes all awards under the Companys
equity-based compensation plans and operates under a written
charter adopted by the Board.
Compensation philosophy and strategy
The Committee was established during 2004. In anticipation of
the Companys initial public offering
(IPO), the Committee undertook a
comprehensive review of total compensation of executives among
16 companies in the gaming industry. In conjunction with
this review, the Committee developed a new compensation
philosophy, objectives and structure for total compensation for
the Companys Executive Officers. We engaged a nationally
recognized compensation consulting firm to conduct the analysis
and provide independent insights regarding executive
compensation. With their assistance, we developed a philosophy
and structure for Executive Officer total compensation
reflecting four primary areas of emphasis:
|
|
|
|
|
Appropriate orientation. The total compensation package
should be oriented toward variable and longer term elements
(i.e. annual and long-term incentives and equity awards) as
opposed to base salary. This mix of compensation
elements is consistent with and supports the Companys
current business strategy and direction, focusing on long-term
growth and expansion globally. In addition, this mix is
consistent with gaming industry practice, further enhancing the
Companys ability to attract and retain needed industry
talent to support this growth. |
|
|
|
Competitive package and levels. The total compensation
package and levels for Executive Officers should be competitive
with the external marketplace. Competitive compensation levels
are critical to attracting and retaining key executive talent.
Through the compensation review, competitive pay levels were
established for the Executive Officers relative to gaming
industry peers on a size-adjusted basis. Further, the total
compensation package was designed to be scalable
i.e. Executive Officer compensation levels and incentive
opportunities will be commensurate with the Companys
growth and reflect its financial performance. |
|
|
|
Performance-based. A majority of total compensation for
Executive Officers should be based on Company results achieved
relative to pre-determined performance objectives. In addition,
compensation opportunities should reflect the Companys
high level of relative performance achieved. We believe Earnings
Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Rents
(EBITDAR) has a positive correlation with long-term stock
price appreciation. As such, incentive and performance-based
equity opportunities for Executive Officers are structured to
deliver 75th percentile total compensation levels,
contingent on achieving aggressive EBITDAR-based objectives. |
|
|
|
Shareholder-aligned. Equity awards should represent a
significant portion of total compensation. Senior executives
already hold significant ownership in the Company. Consistent
with the Companys philosophy, equity should represent a
significant ongoing portion of compensation for Executive
Officers and other executives, and will serve as an important
link between management and shareholder interests. Through the
Companys 2004 Plan, Executive Officers will receive a
balance of stock options and performance-contingent restricted
stock, targeted to deliver 75th percentile compensation
levels if performance objectives are met. |
By focusing on the variable, performance-based elements of
compensation, a large portion of total compensation for
Executive Officers will vary directly based upon the
Companys financial performance.
Deductibility of Compensation in Excess of $1 Million
The Committees general policy is that compensation should
qualify to be tax deductible to the Company for federal income
tax purposes. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code (Section 162(m)),
25
compensation paid to members of senior management in excess of
$1 million per year is not deductible by the employer
unless the compensation is performance-based as
described in the regulations under Section 162(m).
Compensation is generally performance-based if it is
determined using pre-established objective formulas and criteria
approved by shareholders. The Committee believes, however, that
mathematical formulas cannot always anticipate and fairly
address every situation that might arise. The Committee
therefore retains the authority to adjust compensation in the
case of unexpected, unusual or non-recurring events, even if
this results in the payment of non-deductible compensation or to
otherwise award or pay
non-deductible
compensation if the Committee deems it in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders to do so.
2005 Executive Officer Compensation
In 2005, the total compensation package for Executive Officers
reflects the philosophy and structure developed as a result of
the compensation philosophy and strategy discussed above. This
structure was incorporated into new employment agreements for
Messrs. Adelson, Weidner, Stone, Goldstein, Henry and
Serwin entered into in 2004 (2005 for Mr. Serwin).
Following is a summary of each of the major elements of
Executive Officer compensation, and details regarding how each
component was determined:
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary. Base salary levels for Executive Officers
are determined based on the individual experience,
responsibilities and tenure of each executive, and are assessed
relative to market levels. In the gaming industry,
market-competitive levels of base salary for certain executive
positions exceed $1 million, and historically
Messrs. Adelson, Weidner and Stone have earned base
salaries in excess of this amount. However, consistent with our
compensation philosophy, and in order to maximize the tax
deductibility of compensation, beginning in 2005 we limited base
salaries for Executive Officers to $1 million. A
performance-based incentive opportunity is identified for those
Executive Officers impacted by this limit. |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives. Executive Officers are eligible
for annual, performance-based cash incentives under the
Incentive Plan. Executives are eligible for two types of annual
incentives: |
|
|
|
|
|
Base bonus annual cash incentive earned and payable
quarterly based on attainment of EBITDAR-based objectives.
Payouts may range from $0 to a defined maximum opportunity
specific to each executive. For example, during 2005
Mr. Adelsons maximum base bonus opportunity was
$500,000. |
|
|
|
Annual supplemental bonus annual cash incentive
contingent on achievement of pre-determined annual financial
performance objectives (primarily EBITDAR-based). A target bonus
opportunity is defined for each executive, representing the
incentive to be earned upon achieving the targeted level of
EBITDAR-based performance. |
|
|
|
Threshold and maximum bonus opportunities are 60% and 160% of
target respectively, and payable at threshold and maximum levels
of EBITDAR-based performance, respectively. For example, for
2005 Mr. Adelsons target supplemental bonus was 80%
of his base salary plus base bonus opportunity, or $1,200,000.
He may earn up to $2,400,000 if maximum performance objectives
are attained. |
|
|
Generally, the targeted supplemental bonus opportunities for
Executive Officers are structured to deliver approximately
75th percentile total cash compensation (base salary plus
incentives) upon achieving targeted EBITDAR-based performance. |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term incentives (Equity Awards). Executive Officers
are eligible for long-term, equity incentives under the
Companys 2004 Plan. A targeted total grant value
(incentive award) is identified for each
executive. Again, the award levels are structured to deliver
approximately |
26
|
|
|
|
|
75th percentile total compensation (base salary plus annual
and long-term incentives) if targeted levels of financial
performance are achieved. |
The equity incentive awards are split into two equal components:
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified stock options one half of the incentive
award value is granted in the form of stock options, with the
number of shares determined based on an estimate of the grant
date Black-Scholes value of the award. The value of the award
for each executive officer is set forth in his employment
agreement. The options granted to Executive Officers upon the
Companys IPO constituted this portion of their equity
incentive award for 2005. |
|
|
|
Performance-based restricted stock one half of the
incentive award value will be granted as restricted stock early
in the year following the year to which such grant relates,
contingent upon attaining the targeted EBITDAR-based goals
identified for the annual supplemental bonus plan. The value of
the award for each executive officer is set forth in his
employment agreement. The number of shares of restricted stock,
if earned, are determined based on the Fair Market Value at
grant, and restrictions will lapse ratably over the following
3 years. |
|
|
|
|
|
Special Supplemental Bonus. Due to an improper
interpretation of their employment agreements, the Committee
determined that the bonus payments made to the Executive
Officers exceeded the bonuses earned by them under their
respective employment agreements by the amounts set forth after
their names as follows: Mr. Adelson ($876,697);
Mr. Weidner ($712,316); Mr. Stone ($536,977):
Mr. Goldstein ($458, 257); Mr. Henry ($219,174) and
Mr. Serwin ($219,174). On March 1, 2006, the Committee
met to consider what action should be taken with respect to the
overpayments. A majority of the Committee concluded that the
outstanding performance of the Company in 2005 justified payment
to the executives of supplemental bonuses equal to the
overpayments made to each of them in February. James L. Purcell,
a member of the Committee and of its Performance Subcommittee,
dissented. |
Executive Officer compensation packages in 2006 are expected to
remain similar to the compensation packages of our Executive
Officers in 2005.
2005 Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Mr. Adelsons compensation for 2005 was determined in
accordance with the policies described above for the Executive
Officers.
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary. As indicated above, Mr. Adelsons
base salary was $1,000,000. |
|
|
|
Annual incentives. |
|
|
|
|
|
Base bonus Mr. Adelsons base bonus
opportunity was $500,000, with the actual award earned
contingent on EBITDAR-based performance throughout the year. The
full award was earned during 2005. |
|
|
|
Supplemental bonus Mr. Adelsons target
supplemental bonus opportunity was $1,200,000, with the actual
award earned contingent on EBITDAR-based performance achieved
for the year. The full amount of the target supplemental bonus
opportunity was earned during 2005. |
|
|
|
Special Supplemental bonus Mr. Adelson was
awarded a special supplemental bonus in March 2006 with regard
to 2005 performance in the amount of $876,697. |
|
|
|
Mr. Adelsons targeted total incentive award value for
2005 was $2,200,000. One half of this value was to have been
granted in the form of stock options, having an estimated
Black-Scholes value of $1,100,000, at the time the Company made
its annual option grant to continuing employees (in 2006 this
was in mid-January). And, because the Companys 2005
EBITDAR-based performance targets were achieved,
Mr. Adelson was also eligible to receive a further
$1,100,000 in restricted stock in the |
27
|
|
|
first quarter of 2006. Mr. Adelson waived his right to
receive the stock options and restricted stock to which he was
entitled in the first quarter of 2006. Such waiver does not
affect his right to receive stock options and restricted stock
to which he is entitled in the future under his employment
agreement. |
Mr. Adelsons total compensation for 2005 was
$3,576,697, which does not take into account the value of the
options and restricted stock to which he was entitled but the
receipt of which he waived.
Mr. Adelsons compensation package in 2006 is expected
to remain similar to his compensation package in 2005 except
that he will benefit from increases included in his employment
agreement in the amounts of his base bonus and equity awards
based on the Companys increased EBITDAR. Assuming all 2006
target performance objectives are achieved,
Mr. Adelsons 2006 compensation would total
approximately $6,200,000, including the value of equity awards
to which he would be entitled at the time of grant.
Conclusion
Attracting and retaining talented executives is critical to the
Companys long-term growth strategy, and essential to
create long-term shareholder value. Offering a competitive,
performance-based compensation program, with a significant
equity component helps to achieve this objective by aligning the
interests of the Companys executives with those of its
shareholders. We believe that the Companys compensation
program is structured to meet these objectives.
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
|
Charles D. Forman, Chair |
|
Irwin Chafetz |
|
Michael A. Leven |
|
James L. Purcell |
The foregoing report of the Compensation Committee does not
constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or
incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under
the Securities Act of 1933(the Securities Act) or
the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically
incorporates such report by reference therein.
28
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board consists of Irwin A. Siegel
(Chair), Michael A. Leven and James L. Purcell. The Board has
determined that Messrs. Siegel, Leven and Purcell meet the
current independence and experience requirements of the
NYSEs listing standards. In addition, the Board has
determined that Mr. Siegel qualifies as audit committee
financial expert.
The Audit Committees responsibilities are described in a
written charter adopted by the Board, as amended, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Appendix A. The Audit Committee
is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of
the Companys financial reporting system. Amongst its
various activities, the Audit Committee reviews:
|
|
|
|
1. |
The adequacy of the Companys internal controls and
financial reporting process and the reliability of the
Companys financial statements; |
|
|
2. |
The independence and performance of the Companys internal
auditors and independent registered public accounting
firm; and |
|
|
3. |
The Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements. |
The Audit Committee meets regularly in open sessions with the
Companys management, independent registered public
accounting firm and internal auditors to consider the adequacy
of the Companys internal controls and the objectivity of
its financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee meets
regularly in closed sessions with the Companys management,
independent registered public accounting firm and internal
auditors to review the foregoing matters. The Audit Committee
selects the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm, and periodically reviews their performance and
independence from management.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and
management represented to the Audit Committee that the
Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
discussions with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP also included the
matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
(Communication with Audit Committees), as amended. The Audit
Committee has received and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP the written disclosures and the letter regarding its
independence as required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees) and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
its independence.
Based on the Audit Committees review of the audited
financial statements and the review and discussions described in
the foregoing paragraphs, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 be included in the Companys
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee performs an annual
self-assessment. For 2005, the Audit Committee concluded that,
in all material respects, it had fulfilled its responsibilities
and satisfied the requirements of its charter and applicable
laws and regulations.
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
|
Irwin A. Siegel, Chairman |
|
Michael A. Leven |
|
James L. Purcell |
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee does not
constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or
incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the
Company specifically incorporates such report by reference
therein.
29
FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The following table sets forth fees paid or payable to our
independent registered public accounting firm in 2004 and 2005
for audit and non-audit services as well as the percentage of
these services approved by our Audit Committee:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Services | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approved by Audit | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Committee | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
2,028,136 |
|
|
$ |
2,608,786 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Audit Related Fees
|
|
$ |
49,206 |
|
|
$ |
33,898 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Tax Fees
|
|
$ |
112,781 |
|
|
$ |
172,260 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
All Other Fees
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
The category of Audit Fees includes fees for our
annual audit and quarterly reviews, as well as audit related
accounting consultations, work related to our initial public
offering and work related to debt and other securities offerings.
The category of Audit-Related Fees includes
non-audit related accounting consultations and services related
to pension and benefit plans.
The category of Tax Fees includes tax consultation
and planning fees and tax compliance services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee Charter contains our policies related to
pre-approval of services provided by the independent registered
public accounting firm. The Audit Committee, or one of its
members if such authority is delegated by the Audit Committee,
has the sole authority to review in advance, and grant any
appropriate pre-approvals, of (a) all auditing services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm
and (b) all non-audit services to be provided by the
independent registered public accounting firm as permitted by
Section 10A of the Securities Act and, in connection
therewith, to approve all fees and other terms of engagement.
The Audit Committee has adopted the following guidelines
regarding the engagement of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm to perform services for the
Company. For audit services (including audits of the
Companys employee benefit plan), the independent
registered public accounting firm will provide the Audit
Committee with an engagement letter each year prior to or
contemporaneously with commencement of the audit services
outlining the scope of the audit services proposed to be
performed during the fiscal year. Generally a separate
engagement letter is also provided for each statutory audit for
our foreign subsidiaries. If the terms of the engagement letters
are agreed to by the Audit Committee, the engagement letters
will be formally accepted. For tax services, the independent
registered public accounting firm will provide the Audit
Committee with a separate scope of the tax services proposed to
be performed during the fiscal year and may also provide
separate tax engagement letters for special projects for our
foreign subsidiaries. If the terms of the tax engagement letters
are agreed to by the Audit Committee, the tax engagement letters
will be formally accepted. All other non-audit services will
require pre-approval from the Board of Directors on a
case-by-case basis.
If the pre-approval authority is delegated to a member, the
pre-approval must be presented to the Audit Committee at its
next scheduled meeting.
30
STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
The following performance graph compares the performance of our
Common Stock with the performance of the Standard &
Poors 500 Index and a peer group of companies, during the
period from the Companys initial public offering on
December 15, 2004 through December 31, 2005. The
selected peer group for 2005 is comprised of three gaming
companies considered to be the Companys closest
competitors: Harrahs Entertainment, Inc., MGM Mirage, Inc.
and Wynn Resorts Limited. The selected peer group for 2004
included these three companies, as well as Caesars
Entertainment, Inc. and Mandalay Resort Group. In 2005,
Caesars Entertainment Inc. was acquired by Harrahs
Entertainment, Inc. and Mandalay Resort Group merged with MGM
Mirage, Inc. The graph plots the changes in value of an initial
$100 investment over the indicated time period, assuming all
dividends are reinvested.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Total Return | |
|
|
| |
|
|
12/15/04 | |
|
12/31/04 | |
|
12/31/05 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
103.09 |
|
|
$ |
84.77 |
|
S&P 500
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
103.40 |
|
|
$ |
108.48 |
|
Peer Group
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
104.38 |
|
|
$ |
102.83 |
|
31
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Interface Group Holding Company, Inc.
Prior to our acquisition of Interface Group Holding Company,
Inc. (Interface Holding), it was owned by
Mr. Adelson, our principal stockholder. The following are
transactions that our subsidiary, Las Vegas Sands, Inc.
(currently known as Las Vegas Sands, LLC), had entered into with
Interface Holding prior its acquisition by Las Vegas Sands, Inc.
on July 29, 2004.
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Redeemable Preferred Interest |
Until February 2005, our subsidiary Venetian Casino Resort, LLC
had two members, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. and Interface Holding.
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. was the managing member of Venetian Casino
Resort, LLC and owned 100% of the common equity interest in
Venetian Casino Resort, LLC. Las Vegas Sands, Inc. also owned
100% of Interface Holding. Until February 2005, Interface
Holding held the redeemable preferred interest in Venetian
Casino Resort, LLC. The redeemable preferred interest was
non-voting, not subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at
the option of the holder and had a preferred return of 12%. As
of July 29, 2004, $133.5 million had accrued on the
redeemable preferred interest and had not yet been paid. Las
Vegas Sands, Inc. ceased accrual of the preferred return as of
July 29, 2004 and retired the redeemable preferred interest
following a merger of Interface Holding into Las Vegas Sands,
Inc. in February 2005.
Our business plan calls for each of The Venetian
Resort-Hotel-Casino (The Venetian), The
Congress Center, The Grand Canal Shops mall, The Sands Expo and
Convention Center (The Sands Expo Center),
The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino (The Palazzo)
and the Phase II mall to be integrally related parts of a
single project. In order to establish terms for the integrated
operation of these facilities, Las Vegas Sands, Inc., General
Growth Properties, Interface Group-Nevada, the owner of The
Sands Expo Center, and Las Vegas Sands, Inc.s subsidiary,
Lido Casino Resort, LLC, are parties to The Second Amended and
Restated Reciprocal Easement, Use and Operating Agreement, dated
as of May 17, 2004, which we refer to as the cooperation
agreement. The cooperation agreement sets forth agreements among
the parties regarding, among other things, encroachments,
easements, operating standards, maintenance requirements,
insurance requirements, casualty and condemnation, joint
marketing, the construction of The Palazzo and the sharing of
certain facilities and costs relating thereto. No payments were
made among affiliates under the cooperation agreement in 2005.
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Administrative Services Agreement |
Pursuant to an administrative services agreement among Las Vegas
Sands, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries and Interface
Operations, LLC, an entity that is controlled by our principal
stockholder and unaffiliated with us
(Interface), the parties have agreed to share
ratably in the costs of, and under certain circumstances provide
to one another, shared services, including legal services,
accounting services, insurance administration, benefits
administration, travel services and such other services as each
party may request of the other. In addition, under this
administrative services agreement, the parties have agreed to
share ratably the costs of any shared office space. Prior to
August 2004, Interface Holding and Interface Group-Nevada also
were party to this agreement.
As of November 8, 2004, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. assigned the
interests of Interface Holding and Interface Group-Nevada in
this administrative services agreement to Interface for no
consideration. Prior to the Interface Holding acquisition,
Interface Holding and Interface Group-Nevada provided or
arranged certain services for Las Vegas Sands, Inc. and its
subsidiaries under the administrative services agreement. The
services were provided by certain other entities controlled by
Mr. Adelson. After Interface Holding and Interface
Group-Nevada were acquired by Las Vegas Sands, Inc. and became
subsidiaries of Las Vegas Sands, Inc., it was determined that
the agreement should be assigned to another company controlled
by Mr. Adelson so that the Las Vegas Sands entities would
have a direct claim against the entity providing the
32
services rather than against a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands,
Inc. The assignment did not change any of the terms of the
administrative services agreement or what services are being
provided.
Prior to January 1, 2005, under this services agreement,
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. used a Gulfstream III aircraft, which
was operated by an affiliate of our principal stockholder. The
aircraft was used for the benefit of executive officers,
including our principal stockholder, and for customers. (See
Transactions Relating to Aircraft
Time Sharing Agreement below for a description of the new
Time Sharing Agreement relating to this aircraft.) Charge-backs
to Las Vegas Sands, Inc. in connection with this use were based
on certain actual costs to operate the aircraft allocated in
accordance with the purpose for which the aircraft is used. In
2005, total payments from Interface to Las Vegas Sands, LLC
pursuant to this services agreement were $77,000.
In addition, under the administrative services agreement, the
Company and its subsidiaries paid approximately
$3.0 million during 2005 to Interface Group Massachusetts,
LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company that operates GWV
Travel, a travel agent and charter tour operator
(GWV), for travel and travel related services. GWV
is controlled by entities for which our director Irwin Chafetz
is a director and a 12.5% shareholder and which are controlled
by our principal stockholder, Mr. Adelson. Mr. Forman
is also a trustee of a voting trust that owns 6.2% of the sole
member of GWV Travel. The beneficiaries of that voting trust
include the children of Mr. Chafetz. The payments included
primarily the cost of airline tickets, which are paid by GWV to
third party air carriers on behalf of the Company and its
subsidiaries, and related travel agency commissions and service
fees which are retained by GWV. Approximately $108,000 of the
total paid by the Company and its subsidiaries was retained as
fees and commissions in 2005.
Prior to its acquisition by Las Vegas Sands, Inc. in 2004,
Interface Group-Nevada provided audio visual services,
telecommunications, electrical, janitorial and other related
services to group customers of The Venetian. These services were
provided pursuant to a contract that provided for an equal
sharing of revenues after direct operating expenses. Pursuant to
this contract, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. received $2.8 million
during 2005.
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Preferred Reservation System Agreement |
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. entered into a preferred reservation
system agreement with Interface Group-Nevada that governs the
booking of exposition and trade shows in the meeting space in
the Venezia Tower at The Venetian and in The Sands Expo Center.
The agreement provides The Sands Expo Center with the first
opportunity or right of first refusal to book or host
expositions and trade shows prior to these expositions and trade
shows being offered to the Venezia Tower. This agreement has not
been utilized since the acquisition in August 2004.
Registration Rights Agreement and Registration Expenses
Messrs. Adelson, Forman, Weidner, Stone, Goldstein and
certain other stockholders and employees, former employees and
certain trusts that they established have entered into a
registration rights agreement with us relating to the shares of
Common Stock they hold. Subject to several exceptions, including
our right to defer a demand registration under certain
circumstances, Mr. Adelson and the trusts he established
may require that we register for public resale under the
Securities Act all shares of Common Stock they request be
registered at any time, subject to certain conditions.
Mr. Adelson and the trusts may demand registrations so long
as the securities being registered in each registration
statement are reasonably expected to produce aggregate proceeds
of $20 million or more. If we become eligible to register
the sale of our securities on
Form S-3 under the
Securities Act, Mr. Adelson and the trusts have the right
to require us to register the sale of the Common Stock held by
them on Form S-3,
subject to offering size and other restrictions.
The other stockholders that are party to this agreement were
granted piggyback registration rights on any registration for
the account of Mr. Adelson or the trusts that he
established, subject to cutbacks if the registration requested
by the Adelson entities is in the form of a firm commitment
underwritten offering and if
33
the underwriters of the offering determine that the number of
securities to be offered would jeopardize the success of the
offering.
In addition, the stockholders and employees that are party to
this agreement and the trusts have been granted piggyback rights
on any registration for our account or the account of another
stockholder, subject to cutbacks if the underwriters in an
underwritten offering determine that the number of securities
offered in a piggyback registration would jeopardize the success
of the offering.
In connection with any registrations described above, we will
indemnify the selling stockholders and pay all fees, costs and
expenses, except that we will not pay underwriting discounts and
commissions of the selling stockholders. On February 14,
2006, we filed a registration statement on
Form S-1 for an
underwritten secondary stock offering by certain trusts for the
benefit of Mr. Adelson and his family. The offering was
completed on March 16, 2006. We incurred approximately
$1.25 million in fees, costs and expenses in connection
with the secondary stock offering.
On February 25, 2005, we filed a registration statement on
Form S-8 to, among
other things, register the sale of shares of Common Stock held
by Messrs. Weidner, Stone and Goldstein and certain other
stockholders and employees, former employees and certain trusts
that they established. In August 2005, Messrs. Stone and
Goldstein (through a trust) and two employees sold shares of
Common Stock under the registration statement. In September
2005, Messrs. Weidner and Stone and a former employee sold
shares of Common Stock under the registration statement.. We
incurred an aggregate of approximately $198,000 in fees, costs
and expenses in connection with these sales. In addition, the
Company and the selling stockholders agreed to indemnify the
underwriters for these offerings against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Tax Indemnification
In connection with our 2004 initial public offering, Las Vegas
Sands, Inc. and certain other parties entered into an
indemnification agreement pursuant to which it agreed to:
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indemnify those of our stockholders who were stockholders of Las
Vegas Sands, Inc. prior to the 2004 initial public offering
against certain tax liabilities incurred by these stockholders
as a result of adjustments (pursuant to a determination by, or a
settlement with, a taxing authority or court, or pursuant to the
filing of an amended tax return) to the taxable income of Las
Vegas Sands, Inc. with respect to taxable periods during which
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. was a subchapter S corporation for
income tax purposes; and |
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indemnify Mr. Adelson against certain tax liabilities
incurred by Mr. Adelson as a result of adjustments
(pursuant to a determination by, or a settlement with, a taxing
authority or court, or pursuant to the filing of an amended tax
return) to the taxable income of Interface Holdings with respect
to taxable periods during which Interface Holdings was a
subchapter S corporation for income tax purposes. |
Transactions Relating to Aircraft
On June 18, 2004, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. entered into an
aircraft time sharing agreement with Interface, which is
controlled by our principal stockholder. The agreement provides
for our use on a time sharing basis of a Boeing Business Jet
owned by an entity controlled by our principal stockholder. The
agreement has a term ending on December 31, 2005, but was
automatically extended by one year as neither party to the
agreement has given notice of non-renewal. Either party may
terminate the agreement on thirty days notice so long as
the party is not in default of the agreement. In addition, the
agreement automatically terminates upon the termination of the
lease between the owner of the aircraft and Interface. For use
of the aircraft, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. has agreed to pay
Interface fees equal to (1) twice the cost of the fuel, oil
and other additives used, (2) all fees, including fees for
landing, parking, hangar, tie-down, handling, customs, use of
airways and permission for overflight, (3) all expenses for
catering and in-flight entertainment materials, (4) all
expenses for flight planning and weather contract services,
(5) all travel expenses for pilots, flight attendants and
other
34
flight support personnel, including food, lodging and ground
transportation, and (6) all communications charges,
including in-flight telephone, in each of clauses (1)
through (6) above, only during use of the aircraft. In
addition, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. will also be responsible for all
passenger ground transportation and accommodation in connection
with the use of the aircraft. Las Vegas Sands, Inc. was
obligated to pay $665,450 to Interface in 2005.
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Aviation and Related Personnel |
Interface Employee Leasing, LLC (IEL), a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is engaged primarily in
the business of providing aviation personnel, including pilots,
aircraft mechanics and flight attendants, and administrative
personnel, to the Company and to Interface. IEL was transferred
in August 2004 by our principal stockholder to Las Vegas Sands,
Inc. for no consideration and is now a wholly owned subsidiary.
IEL charges a fee to each of the Company and Interface for their
respective use of these personnel. The fees charged by IEL are
based upon its actual costs of employing or retaining these
personnel, which are then allocated between the Company and
Interface. The method of allocating these costs varies depending
upon the nature of the service provided. For example, pilot
services are allocated based upon the actual time spent
operating aircraft for the Company and for Interface,
respectively. The services of IELs aircraft mechanics and
administrative personnel are allocated based upon the number of
aircraft maintained by the Company and Interface, respectively.
During 2005, IEL charged Interface $1,212,576 for its use of IEL
aviation and related personnel.
During 2005, the Company entered in to an Aircraft Interchange
Agreement (the Interchange Agreement) and an
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement the Time Sharing
Agreement) with Interface, which is controlled by the
Companys principal stockholder. The agreements were
effective as of January 1, 2005.
Under the terms of the Interface Agreement, the Company has
agreed to provide the use of its two Gulfstream G-IV aircraft
(the G-IV Aircraft) to Interface in exchange
for equal flight time by the Companys executive officers
and customers on a Gulfstream III aircraft (the
G-III Aircraft) provided by Interface. The
G-III Aircraft is provided to the Company by Interface, and the
G-IV Aircraft is provided to Interface by the Company on an
as-available basis. At all times, the Company
retains the crew for, and has operational control of, the G-IV
Aircraft, and Interface retains the crew for, and has
operational control of, the G-III Aircraft.
There are no monetary charges for use of an aircraft under the
Interchange Agreement; however, to the extent that one party
incurs during any month a greater amount of flight
specific expenses in providing its aircraft to the other
party, the other party is obligated to pay the differential in
costs within 30 days after its receipt of a statement from
the party that incurred the costs. The flight specific
expenses include ferry or positioning costs, all fees
(including fees for landing, parking, hangar tie-down, handling,
customs, use of airways and permission for overflights),
expenses for flight planning and weather contract services,
catering and in-flight entertainment expenses, and travel
expenses for the pilots, flight attendants and other flight
support personnel.
Under the terms of the Time Sharing Agreement, the Company is
entitled to the use, on a time sharing basis, of the G-III
Aircraft provided by Interface. The Time Sharing Agreement is
intended to be used by parties if and when the Companys
use of the G-III Aircraft exceeds the anticipated use by
Interface of the Companys G-IV Aircraft (in other words,
there is not an equal exchange of flight time between the
parties under the Interchange Agreement and the Company has
further need for the G-III Aircraft). At all times, Interface
Operations retains the crew for, and has operational control of,
the G-III Aircraft.
For its use of the G-III Aircraft under the Time Sharing
Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Interface an amount
equal to two times the cost of fuel and other lubricants used on
the Companys flights, plus specific flight-related
expenses incurred in connection with the Companys flights,
including travel expenses of the crew, hangar and tie-down costs
while the G-III Aircraft is away from Las Vegas, Nevada,
35
landing fees, customs fees, in-flight catering, communications
charges, passenger ground transportation, and flight planning
and weather services. Las Vegas Sands, LLC paid Interface
$42,071 in 2005 relating to the Time Sharing Agreement.
Each agreement has an initial term ending on December 31,
2006, but is automatically extended by one year if neither party
to the agreement has given notice of non-renewal. Either party
may terminate each agreement on 30 days notice, so
long as the party giving the notice is not in default of the
agreement.
Purchase of Restaurant
During 2003, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. purchased the lease interest
and assets of Carnevale Coffee Bar LLC, which operates a coffee
bar in The Venetian, for $3.1 million, of which $625,000
was payable during 2003 and $250,000 is payable annually over
ten years, beginning in September 2003. Half of the purchase
price is payable to a family trust of our principal stockholder
that owned a 50% interest in Carnevale Coffee Bar LLC.
Stock Option and Other Loans
In January 2002, our principal stockholder made loans to each of
Messrs. Weidner, Stone and Goldstein to enable them to
exercise options that they had been granted to purchase Common
Stock from the principal stockholder. Each loan was evidenced by
a full recourse demand promissory note with interest at the
short term annual applicable federal rate (as defined in
Section 7872 of the Internal Revenue Code) determined to be
a market rate at the date of issuance consistent with the
financial profile of the borrower, to be adjusted each January,
and compounding annually. In 2005, this rate was 2.78%. Each
note was a full recourse loan and was collateralized by a pledge
of the Common Stock issued to each borrower. As of
December 31, 2005, the loans to Messrs. Weidner, Stone
and Goldstein had all been repaid in full.
Other Transactions with our Principal Stockholder and his
Family
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. has employed Dr. Miriam Adelson, our
principal stockholders wife, as the Director of Community
Involvement since August 1990 where, in conjunction with our
Government Relations Department, she oversees and facilitates
our partnership with key community groups and other charitable
organizations. Her annual salary is $50,000 per year.
During 2005, Las Vegas Sands, LLC employed one of our principal
stockholders stepdaughters as a member of the Corporate
Finance Group and paid her $49,000 in wages during 2005. Her
employment ended as of January 1, 2006.
Based on the advice of an independent security consultant, Las
Vegas Sands, Inc. provides security coverage for our principal
stockholder, his spouse and minor children. A portion of the
cost of security coverage which the Company has determined was
non-business related (approximately $451,000 in the aggregate in
2005) was charged directly to and paid by the principal
stockholder.
Las Vegas Sands, Inc. purchases amenities and other products
used by hotel guests, such as robes, towels and slippers, from
Deluxe Hotels Supply, LLC, an approved Venetian vendor. Deluxe
Hotels Supply is owned by our principal stockholders
brother, Leonard Adelson. Las Vegas Sands, Inc. purchased
$1.8 million of products from Deluxe Hotels Supply during
2005. Management believes that the terms and conditions of the
purchases are no less favorable than those negotiated with
independent third parties.
Our principal stockholder purchased banquet room, catering,
lodging and other goods and services from our properties in the
ordinary course during 2005, paying the Company approximately
$1.0 million for these goods and services.
Transactions with our Management
Mr. Weidner purchased lodging, food and beverage and other
goods and services from our properties in the ordinary course
during 2005, paying the Company approximately $53,000 for these
goods and services.
36
Mr. Goldstein purchased lodging, food and beverage and
other goods and services from our properties in the ordinary
course during 2005, paying the Company approximately $77,000 for
these goods and services.
Property and Casualty Insurance
Prior to April 2005 the Company and entities controlled by the
Companys principal stockholder which are not subsidiaries
of the Company (the Stockholder Controlled
Entities) purchased property and casualty insurance
(including aviation related coverages) together. The Stockholder
Controlled Entities and the Company each were allocated their
applicable share of the premiums and were separately invoiced
for, and separately paid for, this insurance. Commencing with
the April 2005 coverage renewals, the Company and the
Stockholder Controlled Entities purchased separate insurance
coverages, except that the respective groups continue to bid for
aviation related coverages together, although they are
separately invoiced for, and pay for, this insurance. The two
groups allocate the aviation insurance costs not related to
particular aircraft among themselves in accordance with the
other allocations of aviation costs discussed above. During
2004, the Stockholder Controlled Entities were separately
invoiced for, and separately paid for, insurance purchased by
the Company on behalf of the Stockholder Controlled Entities in
the amount of approximately $405,000. The allocation of premiums
due for coverages placed on behalf of the Company and the
Stockholder Controlled Entities, respectively, was determined
with the assistance of an insurance consultant who arranged for
the placement of the coverages.
37
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
One of the purposes of the meeting is to elect two Class II
directors. The two nominees are William P. Weidner and Michael
A. Leven.
In the event either of the nominees should be unavailable to
serve as Director, which contingency is not presently
anticipated, it is the intention of the persons named in the
proxies to select and cast their votes for the election of such
other person or persons as the Board of Directors may designate.
Nominee Information
William P. Weidner. Mr. Weidner has been the
President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of the
Company since August 2004. He has been the President and Chief
Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since December 1995
and a director of Las Vegas Sands, LLC since August 2004. From
1985 to 1995, Mr. Weidner was President and Chief Operating
Officer and served on the board of Pratt Hotel Corporation. From
February 1991 to December 1995, Mr. Weidner was also the
President of Pratts Hollywood Casino-Aurora subsidiary and
from June 1992 until December 1995, he served on the board of
the Hollywood Casino Corporation. Since September 1993,
Mr. Weidner has served on the board of directors of
Shorewood Packaging Corporation. Mr. Weidner directed the
opening of Hollywood Casino, one of Chicagos first
riverboat casino hotels, New York Citys Maxims de
Paris (now the Peninsula), and hotels in Orlando and Palm
Springs.
Michael A. Leven. Mr. Leven has been a director of
the Company since August 2004. He was a director of Las Vegas
Sands, Inc. from May 2004 until July 2005. Mr. Leven has
spent his entire
45-year career in the
hotel industry. Mr. Leven is the founder, Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President of U.S. Franchise Systems,
Inc., which franchises the Microtel Inns & Suites and
Hawthorn Suites brands. Mr. Leven formed
U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. in 1995. From 1990 to 1995,
Mr. Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of
Holiday Inns Worldwide. From 1985 to 1990, he was president of
Days Inn of America. Mr. Leven serves as director of Hersha
Hospitality Trust. Mr. Leven serves on many other
non-profit boards.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR adoption of this
proposal.
If you duly execute the proxy card but do not specify how you
want to vote,
your shares will be voted as our Board recommends.
38
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is
scheduled to meet prior to the stockholders meeting to
select, subject to ratification by the stockholders, the
independent registered public accounting firm to audit the
consolidated financial statements of the Company during the year
ended December 31, 2006. It is anticipated the Audit
Committee will select the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present
at the stockholders meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if he or she desires to do so and to respond to
appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR adoption of this
proposal.
If you duly execute the proxy card but do not specify how you
want to vote,
your shares will be voted as our Board recommends.
39
TIMEFRAME FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL
MEETING
Proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the 2007
annual meeting of stockholders, to be considered for inclusion
in our Proxy Statement for such annual meeting, must be
personally delivered or mailed to our principal executive
offices, as required by our Amended and Restated By-Laws, no
earlier than February 7, 2007 and no later than
March 10, 2007, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary
as follows: Corporate Secretary, Las Vegas Sands Corp., 3355 Las
Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.
With respect to any proposal by a stockholder not seeking to
have its proposal included in the Proxy Statement but seeking to
have its proposal considered at the 2007 annual meeting, if that
stockholder fails to notify us of its proposal in the manner set
forth above by March 10, 2007, then the persons appointed
as proxies may exercise their discretionary voting authority if
the proposal is considered at the 2007 annual meeting,
notwithstanding that stockholders have not been advised of the
proposal in the Proxy Statement for such annual meeting. Any
stockholder proposals must comply in all respects with
Rule 14a-8 of
Regulation 14A and other applicable rules and regulations
of the SEC.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Company will bear all costs in connection with the
solicitation of proxies. The Company intends to reimburse
brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and others for their
out-of-pocket expenses
and reasonable clerical expenses related thereto. Officers,
directors and regular employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries may request the return of proxies by telephone,
telegraph or in person, for which no additional compensation
will be paid to them.
The Companys Annual Report to Stockholders for the year
ended December 31, 2005 accompanies this Proxy Statement.
40
APPENDIX A
LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the
Board of Directors (the Board) of Las Vegas Sands
Corp. (the Company) in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities with respect to (a) the accounting and
financial reporting processes of the Company, including the
integrity of the financial statements and other financial
information provided by the Company to its stockholders, the
public, any stock exchange and others, (b) the
Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (c) the independent auditors
qualifications and independence, (d) the audit of the
Companys financial statements and (e) the performance
of the Companys internal audit function and independent
auditors.
Although the Audit Committee has the powers and responsibilities
set forth in this Charter, the role of the Audit Committee is
oversight. The members of the Audit Committee are not full-time
employees of the Company and may or may not be accountants or
auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or
auditing and, in any event, do not serve in such capacity.
Consequently, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to
conduct audits or to determine that the Companys financial
statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities
of management and the independent auditors.
The Audit Committee shall consist of three or more directors,
each of whom shall satisfy the independence, financial literacy,
experience and expertise requirements of Section 10A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the Exchange
Act), and the New York Stock Exchange and any other
regulatory requirements. If a member of the Audit Committee
ceases to be independent in accordance with the above referenced
independence requirements, for reasons outside the members
reasonable control, that person, with notice by the Company to
the New York Stock Exchange, may remain an Audit Committee
member until the earlier of, the next annual shareholders
meeting of the Company or one year from the occurrence of the
event that caused the member to be no longer independent. The
Companys board shall appoint at least one member of the
Audit Committee who shall have accounting or related financial
management expertise, as the Companys board determines in
its business judgment.
The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the
Board. Members of the Audit Committee may be removed at any time
by action of the Board. The Audit Committees chairperson
shall be designated by the Board or, if it does not do so, the
members of the Audit Committee shall elect a chairperson by a
vote of the majority of the full Audit Committee. No Audit
Committee member shall serve on the audit committees of more
than three public companies without the determination by the
Board that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability
of such member to effectively serve on the Companys Audit
Committee.
The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times per year on a
quarterly basis, or more frequently as circumstances require. As
part of its job to foster open communication, the Audit
Committee shall meet at least quarterly with management, the
chief internal auditor and the independent auditors in separate
executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Audit
Committee or each of these groups believe should be discussed
privately. Meetings may be held telephonically to the extent
permitted by the Companys organizational documents and
applicable Nevada law.
A-1
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IV. |
Authority and Responsibilities |
In recognition of the fact that the independent auditors are
ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and the Audit
Committee, the Audit Committee shall (a) have the sole
authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where
appropriate, replace the independent auditors (or to nominate
the independent auditors for stockholder approval),
(b) approve all audit engagement fees and terms and all
non-audit engagements with the independent auditors and
(c) perform such other duties and responsibilities set
forth under the Securities Exchange Act. The Audit Committee may
consult with management and the internal audit group but shall
not delegate these responsibilities.
In fulfilling its duties and responsibilities hereunder, the
Audit Committee will be entitled to reasonably rely on
(a) the integrity of those persons within the Company and
of the professionals and experts (such as the independent
auditor) from which it receives information, (b) the
accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the
Audit Committee by such persons, professionals or experts and
(c) representations made by the independent auditor as to
any services provided by the independent auditor to the Company.
To fulfill its responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall:
With respect to the independent
auditors:
1. Be directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the
independent auditors engaged (including resolution of
disagreements between management and the independent auditors
regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or
issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or
attestation services or other work for the Company and ensure
that each such independent auditors shall report directly to it.
2. Have the sole authority to review in advance, and grant
any appropriate pre-approvals, of (a) all auditing services
to be provided by the independent auditors and (b) all
non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors as
permitted by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act,
and, in connection therewith, to approve all fees and other
terms of engagement. The Audit Committee may delegate the
authority to pre-approve audit and permitted non- audit services
between meetings of the Audit Committee to a designated member
of the Audit Committee, provided that the decisions made by such
member are presented to the full Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting for ratification. The Audit Committee shall
also review and approve disclosures required to be included in
Securities and Exchange Commission periodic reports filed under
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act with respect
to audit and non-audit services. Evaluate on an annual basis the
performance of the independent auditors, including the lead
audit partner, and present the conclusions of such evaluation to
the Board. In making its evaluation, the Audit Committee should
take into account the opinions of management and the
Companys internal auditors.
3. Ensure that the independent auditors submit to the Audit
Committee on an annual basis a written statement consistent with
Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1, discuss with
the independent auditors any disclosed relationships or services
that may impact the objectivity and independence of the
independent auditors and satisfy itself as to the independent
auditors independence.
4. At least annually, obtain and review an annual report
from the independent auditors describing (a) the
independent auditors internal quality control procedures,
(b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality control review, or peer review, of the independent
auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or
professional authorities, within the preceding five years,
respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the
independent auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such
issues and (c) (to assess the independent auditors
independence) all relationships between the independent auditors
and the Company.
5. Confirm that the lead partner, the
concurring partner and the other audit
partner rotation requirements of
Regulation S-X
have been complied with. Consider whether, in order to assure
continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a
policy of rotating the independent auditors on a regular basis.
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6. Review all reports required to be submitted by the
independent auditors to the Audit Committee under
Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act.
7. Review, based upon the recommendation of the independent
auditors and the chief internal auditor, the scope and plan of
the work to be done by the independent auditors.
With respect to the annual
financial statements:
8. Meet to review and discuss the Companys annual
audited financial statements with management, the internal audit
group and the independent auditors, including reviewing specific
disclosures made in Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
9. Discuss with the independent auditors the matters
required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards
Nos. 61, 89 and 90.
10. Based on the review and discussions referred to in
paragraphs 3, 8 and 9 above, recommend to the Board whether
the Companys annual audited financial statements should be
included in the Companys annual report on
Form 10-K for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
11. Prepare the report required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be included in the Companys
periodic reports, annual proxy statement and any other reports
of the Audit Committee required by applicable securities laws or
stock exchange listing requirements or rules.
With respect to quarterly
financial statements:
12. Meet to review and discuss the Companys quarterly
financial statements with management, the internal audit group
and the independent auditors, including reviewing specific
disclosures made in Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
and the independent auditors review of the quarterly
financial statements, prior to submission to stockholders, any
governmental body, any stock exchange or the public.
Annual reviews:
13. Review and discuss with management and the independent
auditors major issues regarding accounting principles and
financial statement presentation, including any significant
changes in the Companys selection or application of
accounting principles. Review and discuss analyses prepared by
management and/or the independent auditors setting forth
significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in
connection with the preparation of the financial statements,
including analyses of the effects of alternative approaches
under GAAP.
14. Prior to the filing of any audited financial statements
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, review with the
independent auditors (i) all critical accounting policies
and practices used by the Company, (ii) all alternative
accounting treatments of financial information within GAAP
related to material items that have been discussed with
management, including the ramifications of the use of such
alternative treatments and disclosures and the treatment
preferred by the independent auditors and (iii) other
material written communications between the independent auditors
and management.
Periodic reviews:
15. Periodically meet separately with each of management,
the independent auditors and the internal audit group. At such
meetings review (a) any significant disagreement between
management and the independent auditors or the internal audit
group in connection with the preparation of the financial
statements, (b) any difficulties encountered during the
course of the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of
work or access to required information and
(c) managements response to each.
16. Periodically review with the independent auditors any
other audit problems or difficulties (including accounting
adjustments that were noted or proposed by the independent
auditors but passed by management (due to immateriality or
otherwise)), communications between the audit engagement team
and the independent auditors national office regarding
auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement and
management or internal control letters issued or proposed to be
issued, by the independent auditors to the
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Company) and managements response to such letters. The
review shall also include a discussion of the responsibilities,
budget and staffing of the Companys internal audit
function.
17. Periodically discuss with the independent auditors,
without management being present, (a) their judgment about
the quality and appropriateness of the Companys accounting
principles and financial disclosure practices as applied in its
financial reporting and (b) the completeness and accuracy
of the Companys financial statements.
18. Consider and approve, if appropriate, significant
changes to the Companys accounting principles and
financial disclosure practices as suggested by the independent
auditors, management or the internal audit group. Review with
the independent auditors, management and the internal audit
group, at appropriate intervals, the extent to which any changes
or improvements in accounting or financial practices, as
approved by the Audit Committee, have been implemented.
19. Review and discuss with management, the internal audit
group, the independent auditors and the Companys in-house
and independent counsel, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory
or compliance matters that could have a significant impact on
the Companys financial statements, including applicable
changes in regulatory and accounting initiatives, standards or
rules.
Discussions with management:
20. Review and discuss with management the Companys
earnings press releases, including the use of non-GAAP financial
measures (as defined in Regulation G), as well as financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and
rating agencies. Such discussions may be done generally (i.e.,
discussion of the types of information to be disclosed and the
types of presentations to be made).
21. Review and discuss with management all material
off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations
(including contingent obligations) and other relationships of
the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that
may have a material current or future effect on financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of
operations, liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves or
significant components of revenues or expenses.
22. Review and discuss with management the Companys
major financial risk exposures and the steps management has
taken to monitor, control and manage such exposures, including
the Companys risk assessment and risk management
guidelines and policies.
With respect to the internal
audit function and internal controls:
23. Review, based upon the recommendation of the
independent auditors and the chief internal auditor, the scope
and plan of the work to be done by the internal audit group and
the responsibilities, budget and staffing needs of the internal
audit group.
24. Review and approve the appointment and replacement of
the Companys chief internal auditor.
25. Review on an annual basis the performance of the
internal audit group.
26. In consultation with the independent auditors and the
internal audit group, review the adequacy of the Companys
internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light
of material control deficiencies.
27. Establish procedures for (a) the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by
employees of the Company of concerns regarding the questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
28. Review (i) the internal control report prepared by
management, including managements assessment of the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting and (ii) the independent auditors
attestation, and report, on the assessment made by management,
in each case, as and when required by Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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29. Review with management and the independent auditors any
reports or disclosure submitted by management to the Audit
Committee as contemplated by the Certifications required under
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Other:
30. Review and approve all related-party transactions
required to be disclosed under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Exchange Act and all transactions involving
executive officers or directors of the Company that are required
to be approved by the Audit Committee under the Companys
code of business conduct and ethics.
31. Review and approve (a) any amendment to or waiver
from the Companys code of business conduct and ethics for
executive officers and directors and (b) any public
disclosure made regarding such change or waiver.
32. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter
annually and recommend to the Board any changes deemed
appropriate by the Audit Committee.
33. Review its own performance annually.
34. Report regularly to the Board. Review with the full
Board any issues that have arisen before the Audit Committee
with respect to the quality or integrity of the Companys
financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal
or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of
the Companys independent auditors or the performance of
the internal audit group.
35. Perform any other activities consistent with this
Charter, the Companys by-laws and governing law, as the
Audit Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
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V. |
Former Employees of the Independent Auditors |
The Audit Committee shall be required to preapprove the hiring
of any employee or former employee of the independent auditors
who was a member of the Companys audit engagement team
within the preceding two fiscal years. The Audit Committee shall
not approve the hiring of any individual for a financial
reporting oversight role if such person is or was an employee of
the independent auditor and was a member of the Companys
audit engagement team within the preceding two fiscal years
unless (A) (i) such individual is to be employed for a
limited period of time due to an emergency or unusual situation
and (ii) the Audit Committee determines that the hiring of
such individual is in the best interests of the Companys
shareholders or (B) such individual becomes employed by the
Company as a result of a business combination and the Audit
Committee was made aware of such individuals prior
relationship with the Company as a member of its audit
engagement team.
The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain
independent legal, accounting and other advisors or consultants
to advise the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may request
any officer or employee of the Company or the Companys
outside counsel or independent auditors to attend a meeting of
the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of, or
consultants to, the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee shall determine the extent of funding
necessary for payment of (a) compensation to the
independent auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or
issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or
attest services for the Company, (b) compensation to any
independent legal, accounting and other advisors or consultants
retained to advise the Audit Committee and (c) ordinary
administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are
necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
A-5
ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS OF
LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
June 7, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
â Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. â
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND
FOR ITEM 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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ABSTAIN |
1. Election of Directors: |
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To consider and act upon the ratification of the
selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered
public accounting firm.
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NOMINEES: |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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William P. Weidner |
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To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or and adjournments thereof.
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Michael A. Leven |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below)
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This Proxy will be
voted as specified herein; if no specification is made, this Proxy
will be voted for Items 1 and 2.
Consenting to receive all
future annual meeting materials and stockholder communications
electronically is simple and fast! Enroll today at
www.amstock.com for secure online access to your proxy
materials, statements, tax documents and other important stockholder
correspondence. |
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INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark
FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in the circle next to each nominee
you wish to withhold, as shown here: l |
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TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF
THIS CARD.
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To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and
indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via
this method. |
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Signature
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Date:
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Signature of Stockholder
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Date:
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Note: |
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When
shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor,
administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate
name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
Admission Ticket
Annual Meeting
of
LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
June 7, 2006
10:00 a.m. (Las Vegas Time)
The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
This ticket must be presented at the door for entrance to the meeting.
Stockholders may bring one guest to the meeting.
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Stockholder Name: |
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o WITH SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER
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(Please Print)
Agenda
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To elect two directors to the Board of Directors for a three-year term; |
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To consider and act upon the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm; |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
FORM OF PROXY
LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders
June 7, 2006
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints William P. Weidner, Scott D. Henry and Bradley K. Serwin, and
each of them, Proxies, with full power of substitution, to represent and vote all shares of Common
Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (the Company) to be held at The Venetian
Resort-Hotel-Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 on June 7, 2006, at
10:00 a.m., and at any adjournments thereof, upon any and all matters which may properly be brought
before said meeting or any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby revokes any and all proxies
heretofore given with respect to such meeting.
(Continued and to be SIGNED on the other side)