Will be based at the Villas of Grand Cypress
Resort, Orlando
The
Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 2010 � Benchmark Hospitality International,
a leading US-based hospitality management company, has named Shawna Poppell
area director of revenue management for the Villas of Grand Cypress, located
in Orlando, Florida, and Marenas Resort, located in Sunny Isles Beach,
north of Miami. Mark Cox, Benchmark�s general manager for the Villas,
where Ms. Poppell will be based, made the announcement.
"It is a pleasure to welcome Shawna to Benchmark Hospitality in Florida,�
said Mr. Cox. �She has invested several years of her career working
in revenue management for a variety of Florida resorts and understands
our market well. She will be a great addition to the executive teams
at both the Villas of Grand Cypress and Marenas Resort.�
Shawna Poppell most recently held the position of senior director of
revenue management & eCommerce for Central Florida Investments, a group
of 27 Westgate Resorts. In this role she experienced significant
success in growing departmental and eCommerce revenue for the group of
resorts.
Ms. Poppell has also served in revenue management roles for major hospitality
brands in markets throughout Florida � both in corporate and property-level
positions.
Poppell is a member of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association
of Central Florida and the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association.
She is a graduate of Hilton Revenue Management University at the University
of Houston and Kent State University. She is relocating to Orlando.
About the Villas of Grand Cypress
The Villas of Grand Cypress 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. 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. The resort
also offers guests a variety of dining alternatives. The award-winning
Executive Meeting Center at the Villas of Grand Cypress provides 7,200
square feet of distinctive conference and event function space, as well
as meeting support services. This space increases to 10,400 square
feet in season, which includes an elegant air-conditioned pavilion.
Widely-acclaimed as offering one of the nation�s most inspired golf experiences,
the resort�s Grand Cypress Golf Club features 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus
Signature Golf with varying degrees of play difficulty. The Villas
of Grand Cypress is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International.
About Marenas Resort
Situated on a 2.5 mile stretch of beach in Sunny Isles Beach, a barrier
island just north of Miami, Marenas Resort blends the best of South
Florida�s �Riviera Coast� with an international style. Marenas Resort�s
name draws from its location, evoking the sea and the sand ~ mar y arenas
~ in Spanish. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and operated by
Benchmark Hospitality International, the 26-story stainless steel and glass
hotel tower features 159 one- and two-bedroom suites, each with fully equipped
gourmet kitchens and spacious contemporary interiors. Amenities include
a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, oceanside pool, beach club, luxurious
spa, health club and elegant meeting space. For reservations, please call
a travel agent professional or 1-877-858-2305. Visit www.marenasresortmiami.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.