News for the Hospitality Executive |
The Woodlands
(Houston), Texas, April 2012 … Benchmark
Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality
management company, has announced that Founder, Chairman & CEO Burt
Cabañas
has received the prestigious Global Distinguished Service Award.
The
award was presented recently during the Annual Meeting of the International
Association of Conference Centers (IACC), the leading professional
organization governing the multi-billion dollar conference center
industry on
five continents. Established in 2009, the Global Distinguished
Service
Award annually recognizes the contributions of a member who has made a
sustained commitment and contribution to IACC and to the conference
center
industry at the global level and across member chapters.
The IACC Global Distinguished Service Award; Burt Cabañas accepting the Global Distinguished Service Award; Peter Stewart global president of IACC "I am very pleased to have
received this distinguished award from my colleagues throughout IACC,"
said Mr. Cabañas. "This organization is a vital link
between
providers of productive meeting experiences globally and the myriad of
customers who have found the conference center concept as the most
beneficial
product available for helping them achieve corporate meeting
goals. To
have been a part of this growing organization for 30 years is rewarding
for me
and I'm so appreciative of this recognition."
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Global Distinguished Service Award than Burt Cabañas,” stated Peter Stewart, global president of IACC. “He was here at our inception, led us through the challenging early years, and helped set the standards that have made us develop into a global leader within the conference industry. Importantly, Burt never lost sight of the critical nature of face-to-face meetings, and the human need to connect.” A founding member of IACC 30 years ago, Burt Cabañas has been a tireless promoter of the professional association and the conference center industry over the decades, including serving for eight years on the IACC Americas Board of Directors and for two years as its President. He is also a previous recipient of IACC's coveted Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his contributions to IACC and the conference center industry in the United States. During the same three-decade period, Mr. Cabañas founded Benchmark Hospitality International, which is today a leading privately-held hospitality management company with a portfolio of 35 properties coast to coast, offshore, in Asia and with future development in Latin America. With the Global Distinguished Service Award, Mr. Cabañas was also recognized for his dedication and service to his alma mater, Florida International University, serving as Board member and Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board for FIU’s highly respected School of Hospitality Management. Nominees for IACC’s Global Distinguished Service Award must have strived for the advancement of the conference center industry and the promotion of IACC standards within their own country on an ongoing basis. Other noted contributions include efforts to educate the industry and members on the value of IACC and to improve the benefits available to members. Additionally, nominees must have fostered relationships between the various segments of the industry around the globe. Burt Cabañas has excelled in each area of service. About the International Association of Conference Centers Founded in 1981, the International Association of Conference Centres is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry and to giving member properties the tools necessary to provide an exceptional meeting experience. Active members meet a set of stringent Quality Standards and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit the website at www.iacconline.org. “There are meetings and then there are IACC meetings." About Benchmark Hospitality International |
Contact:
Ken Ellens KEN ELLENS COMMUNICATIONS 201-758-2864 201-951-9511-Cell [email protected] |