Juan Carlos Contalba, Benchmark's Director of International
Development, Appointed to the Board of Directors for
the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2009 … Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Juan Carlos Contalba, director of international development for the leading private hospitality management company, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA).  Benchmark Hospitality is a charter member of the association, and last year was voted “Hispanic Hotel Company of the Year” in HHOA’s prestigious Estrella Awards competition.  Burt Cabañas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, made the announcement.

“Benchmark is an active supporter of HHOA,” said Mr. Cabañas.  “We’re thrilled Juan Carlos has joined the Board of Directors and will be instrumental in helping shape the association in the years to come. The Hispanic Hotel Owners Association is the only organization of its kind seeking to increase Hispanic ownership of hotels.”

“Juan Carlos brings a vast amount of hospitality experience to our board of directors,” said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association.  “He has in-depth expertise in international markets and will play a key role in our outreach initiatives to increase the presence of Hispanics within the hospitality industry.” 

Mr. Contalba has extensive international experience, with special expertise in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, Central and South American markets.  He launched his career in the hospitality industry during the early days of Benchmark Hospitality International.  Subsequently, after earning a law degree and working in the international legal industry for many years, he rejoined Benchmark Hospitality in 2007 with responsibilities for Benchmark's international development initiatives.

About Hispanic Hotel Owners Association
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., HHOA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of Hispanic-owned, -developed and -operated hotels, further the participation of Hispanic-owned suppliers serving the hotel industry and increase executive level employment opportunities for Hispanics within the lodging industry.  The industry’s leading brands, including Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Choice Hotels International, Starwood, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and Global Hyatt Corporation, and Benchmark Hospitality International have joined the organization and have become major corporate sponsors. 
 
HHOA membership is open to hotel owners, developers, investors, financiers, real estate executives, investment bankers, professional advisors, analysts, franchisors, management company executives, industry product and service providers, hotel general managers, hotel sales and marketing managers, government agencies for tourism and development, hospitality schools, hospitality students or anyone seeking to do business within the Hispanic market.  

Additional information about HHOA is available at the association’s Web site, www.hhoa.org.  To learn more about the Hotel Investment Series, contact Angela Gonzalez-Rowe at 202-587-5707, or www.hhoa.org. 

About Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™.  The privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut.  International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.