The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 12, 2012 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading US-based hospitality management company, has appointed Kirsten Andresen regional director of public relations for the company’s Northwest Collection of luxury properties.  Ms. Andresen will be responsible for and oversee the public relations programming for Benchmark’s Seattle-based Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels, including Hotel 1000, Sorrento Hotel and Willows Lodge.  John Davies, vice president marketing, made the announcement.

“It is with pleasure that I welcome Kirsten to Benchmark Hospitality International,” said Mr. Davies.  “She has produced outstanding results for our luxury properties in the Seattle market over the past years, and is a terrific addition to our company’s growing public relations programming.”

Most recently, Kirsten Andresen was account director at GreenRubino, an integrated marketing firm based in Seattle, at which she spearheaded efforts in the public relations department.  In this role, Ms. Andresen was highly successful in managing the press relations programming for Hotel 1000, Sorrento Hotel and Willows Lodge, as well as numerous other hotels, resorts and travel destinations that were clients of the firm.

Previous to this, Ms. Andresen was a Principal in the firm, Bell + Company Public Relations, based in Seattle.  In her 15-year career in the communications industry, she has worked for a variety of public relations firms, ranging from small regional companies to a signature global agency, and with an array of clients within the hospitality industry.

Kirsten Andresen will be based in Benchmark Hospitality's Western Regional Office in Seattle.  She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in Cinema-Television and the other in Public Relations.  Ms. Andresen resides in Seattle with her family.

About Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM
Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM represents a hand-picked group of 13 luxurious properties, in spectacular U.S. destinations coast to coast and off shore.  Each hotel and resort delivers personal luxury in a spirit true to its own distinctive locale, yet in unison with the collection’s shared mission. A division of Benchmark Hospitality International, for 30 years a leading US-based hospitality management company, and led by a proven and seasoned team of award-winning luxury hospitality professionals, Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM is the preferred choice of guests who yearn for transformation over accommodation, customization over conformity, and inspiration over predictability.  With Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM, luxury is always personal.

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