The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2011 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading US-based independent hospitality management company, announces Tokyo Conference Center Ariake , the company’s second non-residential conference center in Japan.  Alex Cabañas, president business development & finance, made the announcement, together with Ms. Kozue Honda, managing partner of Benchmark Japan’s operations.

“It is with pleasure that I formally welcome the entire team at Tokyo Conference Center Ariake into the Benchmark Hospitality family,” said Mr. Cabañas.  “The center is an ideal complement to its sister facility, the Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, which opened in 2003, and expands the professional conference center concept across one of the world’s largest cities.”

“Based on our experience at the Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, we designed the Tokyo Conference Center Ariake to appeal to different types of business meetings and conferences,” added Ms. Honda.  “The Center is also ideal for a company interested in utilizing the entire facility for a private corporate meeting or event experience.  We expect Tokyo Conference Center Ariake will exceed expectations and be something our clients have never before experienced.”
 
The new IACC-certified conference center is located adjacent to Tokyo Bay in a rapidly developing region of the capital city, just 30 minutes from Tokyo Station.  Nearby is Tokyo Big Sight, one of Japan’s largest convention centers.  
 
Tokyo Conference Center Ariake, which is intended to serve Japan-based and multi national corporations, was designed by Gensler, an architecture and interior design firm located in San Francisco.  The eco-friendly facility, equipped with Greenguard furniture, presents generously proportioned public spaces offering guests a welcoming arrival experience.  State-of-the-art gathering spaces are on two floors, including two large conference halls and seven meeting rooms, each wired for today’s communications, lighting and acoustical requirements.  Meetings accommodated range from 10 up to 650 guests.
 
In keeping with IACC’s membership standards, the conference center’s furnishings are designed for maximum comfort and alertness throughout the business day.  Refreshment break areas have been installed, as has a Business Center to support conference guests’ communications needs.  The center also includes Concierge services, as well as a 200-seat buffet-style restaurant, “Carnelian,” and pre-function space.  The restaurant and event space are available for conference dining, as well as social and networking functions.
 
The Tokyo Conference Center Ariake is owned by Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. and Nippon Tochi-Tatemono Co., Ltd.  The Center is located 25 minutes from Haneda Airport and 20 minutes from Shinagawa Station by taxi.  Meetings lasting more than one day can be accommodated with overnight accommodations at nearby and central Tokyo hotels.  Tokyo Conference Center Ariake is part of Benchmark Japan, a subsidiary of Benchmark Hospitality International.

About Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Resorts & HotelsSM.  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.