Benchmark Selected to Operate Center for Leadership Excellence
HOUSTON, TX, March 4, 2008. Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading hospitality management company which operates 30 award-winning conference centers, resorts and hotels in locations throughout the United States and Asia, announces it has been selected to manage the new Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence. The Lockheed Martin center is currently under construction in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the company's Corporate Headquarters. It is expected to open in February of 2009. Burt Cabanas, chairman and chief executive officer of Benchmark Hospitality, made the announcement.
"I am very pleased to announce Lockheed Martin's selection of Benchmark to operate the company's new Center for Leadership Excellence," said Mr. Cabanas. "After a rigorous search process, our company was selected to provide an exceptional, full-service hospitality and meeting experience at this important new corporate conference center. I am thrilled that Benchmark will have the opportunity to serve Lockheed Martin."
Upon completion, the new property will provide a world-class learning environment for the global Fortune 100 company's leadership training and development program. The center, which will be a private facility, will also provide a venue for Lockheed Martin meetings, conferences and other events.
When complete, the Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence will include 101,000 square feet of meeting and event space with a 250-seat amphitheater, eight large training rooms, and 18 conference rooms. The new facility will also offer lodging facilities, a full service restaurant and a fitness center for employees.
Mr. Cabanas also announced Benchmark Hospitality will assume the operation of Lockheed Martin's executive staff dining facilities and all catered events at the company's Corporate Headquarters.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.
Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally. For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.
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