THE WOODLANDS (Houston), Texas
Benchmark Hospitality International, a U.S.-based hospitality management company, has announced the introduction of “Benchmark Conference Centers” (BCC) – a new brand aiming to be an innovative and preferred mark of distinction in the meetings market.
Unveiled by Benchmark Resorts & Hotels under the umbrella of Benchmark Hospitality International, the designation classifies properties that are purpose-built with personally-tailored service, locally sourced and highly customized cuisine, together with Four Diamond lodging to provide the assurance of the most productive, rewarding and authentic meeting experience in the industry.
Each Benchmark Conference Center meets a rigorous set of criteria and conforms to the requirements of the International Association of Conference Centers, though IACC membership is not a prerequisite. Third-party audits ensure BCC guest satisfaction performance meets or exceeds 94%, well above the industry standard of 90%. And, Benchmark has established a Benchmark Conference Center Brand Promise.
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels is striving to turn three decades of experience into a mark of distinction for corporations, associations and planning professionals seeking the most value and the greatest productivity for their meeting investment.
The Benchmark Conference Center designation differentiates a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ property as a preferred meeting environment conforming to the requirements of the International Association of Conference Centers -- which Burt Cabañas and Benchmark Hospitality were instrumental in helping establish and within which the company remains active -- with the assurance of a customized and productive meeting experience for every guest, maximizing the investment in face-to-face gatherings.
Meeting environments are much more than ergonomic chairs, compliant tables, and pens/pads/candy, or even the complete meeting package.
The most productive meeting environment delivers the assurance of a transcendent experience for meeting attendees that leaves them with goals accomplished, unified as a singular team, and having received maximum value for their investment. This is the goal of every property with the Benchmark Conference Center certification.
Benchmark Guarantee
Benchmark Conference Centers come with a guarantee: "When you hold a meeting at a Benchmark Conference Center, your meeting experience will be delivered as promised…period."
According to BCC, each property’s general manager will sign the meeting contract, and if it does not meet planner expectations, the company will make it right in a way that is completely acceptable to to the planner.
Benchmark’s “Be The Difference” service culture is in place to actively support the brand promise. Be The Difference empowers every Benchmark employee to do whatever is necessary to ensure the guest experience is personalized, productive, highly memorable, and beyond expectations.
There’s BCC accountability for sustained performance with an annual Report Card to ensure each Center is living up to brand expectations. Benchmark does 3rd-party operational audits with Market Metrics for each BCC with the expectation of a 94%+ guest satisfaction goal, well above the industry standard of 90%. A rating of 94% or higher must be maintained to retain BCC certification.
Criteria for BCC Certification include:
• Benchmark Conference Plan, offering an all-inclusive package providing meeting facilities and conference services, dining, and four diamond lodging, with package customization available.
• A Professional Sales Team trained to listen carefully to clients’ meeting needs and objectives.
• Conference Support Team that works hand-in-hand with the professional meeting planner to ensure no detail is overlooked before, during and after the meeting. Includes a single point of contact from start to finish, Conference Concierge when meetings are in session, with daily review to ensure all meeting needs are met.
• High Quality (and in many cases award-winning) Culinary Team, which focuses on local, sustainable and nutritious cuisine and continuously varied dining options.
• On-site Presentation & Technology audiovisual service team supporting each meeting.
• Ample bandwidth and WiFi available throughout the property to support meeting and individual requirements.
• Benchmark’s proprietary “Be The Difference” customer service platform.
• IACC membership -- or alignment with member criteria.
• 94%+ Customer Satisfaction Score as measured by 3rd Party Research partner.
Certified BCC Properties include:
• Bonaventure Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Downtown Conference Center, New York City
• Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago
• Edith Macy Hotel & Conference Center, Briar Cliff Manor, N.Y.
• Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, Texas
• Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, Scottsdale, Ariz.
• Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, W.Va.
• The Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• The Heldrich, New Brunswick, N.J.
• The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
• Tokyo Conference Center Ariake, Tokyo, Japan
• Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
Certified Private Benchmark Corporate Conference Centers
• Deloitte University, Dallas, Texas
• Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence, Bethesda, Md.
• S.C. Johnson International Council House
• The Johnson Foundation Wingspread Conference Center
