NEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 12, 2003 � The World Trade Institute Conference Center, owned by Pace University and managed by Benchmark Hospitality of The Woodlands, Texas, will reopen on September 15, 2003.  The Institute�s original conference center, which was located on the 55th floor of One World Trade Center, was lost on September 11, 2001. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided a grant to Pace University to renovate a 22-story building at 163 William Street in lower Manhattan, where the World Trade Institute Conference Center has relocated.  Intended to be a temporary location, the World Trade Institute plans on returning to the World Trade Center after completion.

The center�s general manager, Marc Hamel, has returned and is in the process of consulting with former employees regarding rejoining the conference center�s management and operational team.

�We went through an extraordinary experience together two years ago,� stated Mr. Hamel.  �Many of us said we wanted to return to the World Trade Institute Conference Center if the opportunity presented itself.  After two years, it has.�

The World Trade Institute�s conference facilities are located on eight floors and includes 20,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space with 28 meeting rooms, including a 2000 square-foot, multi-function room ideal for trade shows, new product launches and receptions.  As it was previously, the conference center will be an open-market facility providing Benchmark�s signature meeting planning and support services as well as sales and marketing programming.

Benchmark Hospitality, an independent hospitality management company based
in The Woodlands, Texas, operates resorts, conference centers and hotels both domestically and internationally.  For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

 BENCHMARK HOSPITALITY
The Woodlands, Texas
www.benchmarkhospitality.com

Ken Ellens
201-758-2864-Phone
[email protected]