The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, March 2010 � Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Burt Cabañas, chairman and CEO, has presented the Chairman�s Award of Excellence to Mike VanDuzer of Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.  Mr. VanDuzer, who is director of facilities for the award-winning resort, received the Chairman's Award of Excellence in recognition of his extraordinary performance in enhancing the property�s physical plant and overall sustainability, his active contribution to the positive guest experience at the property, and his exemplary dedication to serving the people of Colorado Springs.  Mr. VanDuzer is the 4th recipient of the Chairman�s Award since it was launched in 2006. 

�Mike is truly an exceptional person and employee,� said Mr. Cabañas.  "He is one of those unique individuals who is highly dedicated to service in all areas of his life, including in the workplace, at home, and in his community.  Not a day goes by where he doesn�t seek to make a difference in another person�s life.  I am honored to present this award to him!�

Mike VanDuzer was nominated out of a field of more than 5000 Benchmark Hospitality employees globally.  A 16-year veteran of Benchmark who has served in a number of management roles in multiple locations across the company, Mike VanDuzer�s nomination for the Chairman�s Award included supporting testimonials from fellow employees and colleagues companywide.  Addressed in the nomination was his commitment to Benchmark�s Core Values of Integrity, Individualism, Entrepreneurship, Partnership, Realism and Service. 

Among the organizations Mike VanDuzer actively supports within his community are the Boys and Girls Club of America; Marian House (a soup kitchen); Adopt a Highway (with Cheyenne Mountain Resort); Hook (Prison) Ministries, for which he serves on the Board of Directors; AWANA, where he assists in nurturing young people; and Crossroads Ministries, a Christian, non-profit organization where he helps meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the elderly residing in care centers. 
.

L to R:   Burt Cabañas, Chairman & CEO, Benchmark Hospitality International; Mike VanDuzer, Director of Facilities, Cheyenne Mountain Resort; Laura Neumann, Vice President and General Manager, Cheyenne Mountain Resort

About the Benchmark Hospitality Chairman's Award of Excellence 
The Benchmark Hospitality International Chairman's Award of Excellence is presented annually by Burt Cabañas, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the company. Recipients are selected from employees nominated by general managers of Benchmark properties globally.

To be nominated for the Chairman's Award of Excellence, employees must meet an established set of criteria, some of which include: providing a truly outstanding act of community service that is recognized by the community; initiating a service or idea that exemplifies the company's entrepreneurial spirit; delivering performance during extremely difficult circumstances that far exceeds job description and job expectations.

The Chairman's Award is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who demonstrate excellence with significant impact and exemplify Benchmark's core values. 

About Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Set on 217 lush acres, Cheyenne Mountain Resort features 316 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony with mountain and golf course views; 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space; a championship Pete Dye-designed golf course; five swimming pools; 18 tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts as well as a pro shop; Health & Fitness Center; Aquatics Center, and a 35-acre recreation lake where guests enjoy sailboards, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, volleyball on a sand beach, and catch-and-release fly fishing (the lake is stocked with big German Browns and rainbow trout). For more information contact 719-538-4000 or toll-free 800-428-8886 or visit www.cheyennemountain.com.  Cheyenne Mountain Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International. 

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.