Benchmark Hospitality Names Michael Chagnon Dir.Sales/Mktg, Villas Grand Cypress

10/24/2012

News Release

Contact: Ken Ellens

KEN ELLENS COMMUNICATIONS

201-758-2864 / KenEllens@aol.com

@KenEllens

Benchmark Hospitality International Appoints Michael Chagnon Director of Sales & Marketing for Villas of Grand Cypress, Orlando

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, October 2012 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading US-based hospitality management company, has named Michael Chagnon director of sales and marketing for Villas of Grand Cypress, located in Orlando, Florida. Villas of Grand Cypress is part of Benchmark Hospitality’s Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM. Mark Cox, Benchmark’s general manager at the resort, made the announcement.

“I am so pleased to welcome Michael to Benchmark Hospitality and the Villas of Grand Cypress,” said Mr. Cox. “He brings a superb background in sales and marketing for luxury properties to his new role, and a keen understanding of the importance of high quality food and beverage to the hospitality experience. We look forward to his successful leadership.”

Michael Chagnon brings 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality sales and marketing to his new position with Villas of Grand Cypress. He was most recently director of sales and marketing for The Equinox, the landmark golf resort and spa located in the historic village of Manchester, Vermont. Previously Mr. Chagnon headed up the sales and communications efforts for the iconic Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. He has also led the sales and marketing programming at numerous luxury properties in locations as diverse as the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket; Moscow, Russia; Toronto, Canada; as well as Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Mr. Chagnon is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration. He is also a graduate of Johnson and WalesUniversity, where he earned his Associates degree in Occupational Sciences and Culinary Arts. He is relocating to Orlando.

About Villas of Grand Cypress

Villas of Grand Cypress, managed by Benchmark Hospitality International, is a Four-Diamond property located in the Lake Buena Vista area of Orlando, adjacent to Walt Disney World and just minutes from Universal Studios and Sea World. Part of Benchmark Hospitality International’s new Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM and a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the property is part of a 1,500-acre resort complex that includes The Villas of Grand Cypress, which features 146 elegantly appointed accommodations comprised of Club Suites and one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas with full kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms. For additional information about the Villas of Grand Cypress and Grand Cypress Resort, call (877) 330-7376 or visit www.grandcypress.com.

About Benchmark’s Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM

Benchmark Hospitality’s Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM represents a hand-picked group of luxury properties, each in coveted locations and infused with its own spirited personality and style. This collection of distinctive hotels and resorts is the preferred choice of guests who yearn for transformation over accommodation, customization over conformity, and inspiration over predictability. Our focus is on building personal relationships with a genuine understanding of what that personal touch should be for each and every guest, turning an ordinary hotel stay into an experience that elevates the spirit and delivers the unexpected. Luxury is personal.

About Benchmark Hospitality International

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM. The independent company, launched in 1980, is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations. Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. Benchmark Hospitality is also a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. The company's eastern regional office is in New Jersey, western regional office is in Washington, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark's properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

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Contacts

Rebecca Kollaras
Benchmark Hospitality International
rkollaras@benchmarkmanagement.com
305-754-5949