The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2010 � Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Michael Lee as director of sales & marketing for Makena Beach & Golf Resort on Maui.  Kelly Lewis, Benchmark�s general manager at the resort, made the announcement.

�It is with pleasure that I welcome Michael to Makena Beach & Golf Resort,� stated Mr. Lewis.  �He brings 20 years of sales experience within the Hawaiian market and on the mainland to his new role.  We look forward to his leadership of our sales and marketing team.�

Previously, Michael Lee was a partner of Hospitality Taskforce, a company that places sales, marketing, conference services and food & beverage professionals on special taskforces within hotels across the country.  Prior to this, Mr. Lee served as assistant general manager and director of sales for Hilton at the Hampton Inn Tropicana, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Lee has held the title of director of sales for Marriott at the Kauai Coconut Beach Resort.  Before this he was employed outside the hospitality industry for a period, serving as executive vice president for Asia Pacific Environmental Technology.

Earlier in his career, Lee was director of sales and marketing for the Four Star Westin Maui Hotel.  On the mainland, he served as director of marketing for the Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas Hotel, and as director of sales for the Four Star Desert Inn Resort, a Sheraton Hotel located in Las Vegas.  Prior to this he worked in sales for Sheraton properties on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and in Los Angeles.

Michael Lee attended Chaminade College and the University of Hawaii.  He is a past recipient of the Partner of the Year Award from Hilton Sales Worldwide.  Mr. Lee is a member of the Southern California and Aloha Chapters of Meeting Professionals International.

About Makena Beach & Golf Resort
Makena Beach & Golf Resort is situated on 1,800 acres of the southern shore of Maui in the Makena district of the island. The property offers 310 guestrooms and suites, each featuring private lanais, and commands sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as vistas of Maui's diverse landscape and the 10,000-foot Mount Haleakala.

The resort also features championship golf on the acclaimed Makena Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., 18-hole course that runs along the Pacific coastline, adjacent to the hotel. With stunning views from nearly every hole, the course is renowned for its ancient Hawaiian rock walls, natural gullies and stream beds, which were incorporated into the course's design.  Makena Beach & Golf Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International.  For more information on Makena Beach & Golf Resort and for reservations, call 800.321.MAUI (6284) or 808-874-1111, or visit www.makenaresortmaui.com.  For information on Makena Golf Course, visit www.makenagolf.com.

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 independent 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.  The company�s northeast regional office is in New Jersey, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark�s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.