 The
Woodlands (Houston), Texas, May 1, 2008 � Benchmark Hospitality International,
the global leader in meetings, has launched a clever election-year campaign
designed to win new business that is being enthusiastically embraced by
planners across the United States. The campaign, called �Elect Benchmark,�
broadcasts �live� from BHI Network�s �Election Central� studios, and introduces
anchorwoman Connie Ferrents-Planner, an engaging, �animated� newscaster
anyone would want to listen to. Throughout the broadcast, Ms. Ferrents-Planner
delivers Elect Benchmark campaign updates from across the country, borrowing
from the current and past political seasons to drive home messages for
all 18 candidates (a.k.a. Benchmark properties nationwide) and doing it
in a highly engaging way. Katie Couric, look out!
�We wanted to do something creative outside the typical sales blitz,� said Eric Terry, vice president sales & marketing. �Something that recipients would click on and have fun with, offering a clever, humorous and current angle. What better theme this year than the election! The immediate feedback from the market was that we accomplished just that � planners are having a ball with the broadcast and even forwarding it to their colleagues with a �you�ve got to check this out� message. And guess what, its working!� Delivered as an email blast to 80,000 planners globally who have booked a Benchmark property or shown strong interest, upon clicking onto www.electbenchmark.com viewers are immediately transported to a dynamic and humorous �election news broadcast� presentation. Elect Benchmark is highly interactive in that while watching, viewers can �vote� for the favorite candidate they may be considering for an upcoming meeting or event. Mousing over their candidate�s state on the election map brings up more information on the candidate, such as the Platform (very brief property overview), Campaign Promises (specific offer) and a Request for Votes (link to more information and RFP). Planners� votes are then directed to the selected properties� sales teams. Elect Benchmark Candidate Issues An election has to have issues, and Elect Benchmark, borrowing from the real news headlines, has them. The election issues cover all 18 candidates and include:
Candidates Get Out the Vote with Buttons & Slogans It�s an election and so each of the 18 �candidates� has to work hard to get out the vote. One way is with campaign buttons delivering clever campaign slogans to drive the candidate�s message forward. Here�s a few:
To learn more about Elect Benchmark or hear what newswoman Connie Ferrents-Planner
has to say today, click onto www.electbenchmark.com/Vote/VoteBase.asp.
Don�t forget to vote!
 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 privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers. Benchmark is a worldwide organization operating over 30 properties representing major metropolitan and resort destinations. Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut. International offices are located in Tokyo and Santiago, Chile. For locations of properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com. |