Meeting News, a leading national industry publication, has identified BURT CABANAS, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, as one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry.  The magazine, one of the Top Five in its field, annually publishes its list of top influencers in the important multi-billion meetings industry, drawing from both the "long-term pillars of the industry and the newly minted leaders."

“Conference center operators complain that buildings of their ilk are sorely lacking throughout the country,” said Rayna Katz, executive editor of Meeting News.  “But rather than looking at the situation with his hands in the air, Cabañas is fixing the dearth of facilities by opening conference properties all over the place.  Benchmark swung open its doors in six spots this year and signed on the dotted line for a seventh, which is set to open next year.” 

The editor continued on to say, “The seventh facility of the pack, in Vero Beach, Florida, is being developed by singer/producer couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan to pack some celebrity punch.  Sure, the Estefans are a household name, but they have some catching up to do with Cabañas on conference resort development. Benchmark now boasts 30 facilities …”

The past 12 months have been very active for Cabañas and Benchmark Hospitality.  They have opened Phase One of Naples Bay Resort -- a mixed use property in Naples, Florida; opened the French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick, Indiana -- a nearly $382 million restoration and expansion program including the circa 1902 French Lick Springs Hotel and the new French Lick Casino;  opened The Heldrich, a $120 million mix-use property in the heart of New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area; reopened the historic West Baden Springs Hotel -- also part of the French Lick Resort Casino complex; and reopened the historic circa 1796 Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania, following a $120 million restoration and expansion.  Additionally, the company announced new projects in Dallas and in Vero Beach, Florida.

“I’m honored to be included in the Meeting News 2007 list of leading influencers in our industry," said Cabañas.  “I love this business and am so proud of the Benchmark team of hospitality professionals.  Over the past 30 years, they have delivered each day the very best service possible to our thousands of guests throughout the United States and in Asia.”