Benchmark ib Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Launching a Nationwide Family Vacation Initiative

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. September 13, 2009

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

HOUSTON, TX, September 11, 2009 - Benchmark Hospitality International has announced a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) on a nationwide Hometown HospitalityTM initiative providing 30 complimentary vacations to deserving families.

Hometown Hospitality is an outreach effort sponsored by Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading hospitality management company headquartered near Houston with properties coast-to-coast and in Hawaii. Through Hometown Hospitality, Benchmark reaches out to organizations, families and individuals in communities in which the company operates hotels and resorts with employee volunteer programs, in-kind donations and community activities.

For the first time since Benchmark launched Hometown Hospitality in 2004, the company is partnering with a national youth-serving organization - Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Based in Atlanta, BGCA is one of the nation's most respected youth organizations, providing quality after-school programming to young people, ages 6 to 18.

Established in 1906, Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides a network of more than 4,300 community-based facilities with caring youth development professionals offering award-winning programs emphasizing academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership. Through programs such as SMART Moves, Power Hour, Club Tech and Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, its dedicated staff and a vast network of volunteers help young people successfully navigate the path to a productive, healthy, and satisfying adulthood.

"We are excited about this national effort to help Boys & Girls Club members and their families enjoy a wonderful vacation," said Burt Caba~nas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, "and we are pleased to be partnering with such an impressive organization. Boys & Girls Clubs fill the needs of kids for healthy adult interaction, mentoring and positive role-models. As I know what it's like to grow up without a parent, I'm so appreciative that Boys & Girl Clubs exist and that we can be a part of helping members and their families."

Benchmark's internal champion for Hometown Hospitality, Vice President and General Manager Laura Neumann, who is Board Chairperson for the Pikes Peak region Boys & Girls Club added, "Our Hometown Hospitality program is predicated on the knowledge that for many, the word 'hometown' evokes images of safe neighborhoods, close families and friends, and kids without a care playing catch. But this is not everyone's experience." Ms. Neumann continued on to say, "there are too many individuals who are less privileged, but desire a sense of hope, belonging and usefulness. All they need is a safe place that offers respect, guidance... and an occasional helping hand in order to reach their full potential." Reflecting further, Neumann stated, "this is why Boys & Girls Clubs of America is so important -- because they step up and provide a safe environment where kids can have fun, be themselves, and engage in activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits."

"We are extremely grateful to Benchmark Hospitality for offering such a wonderful opportunity for our Club members and their families," said Boys & Girls Clubs of America President/CEO Roxanne Spillett. "We know that strong, healthy families are critical to the young people we serve and these complimentary vacations will provide stress-free, fun-filled times for both."

Through the national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Benchmark Hospitality's hotels and resorts will provide 30 families from the BGCA network of local Clubs complimentary Family Road Trip Vacations at Benchmark's hotels and resorts. These 3 - 5 day and night vacations for a family of four at Benchmark properties across the United States will include guest accommodations, three meals each day, full access to recreation amenities, and access to several local destination attractions as well. Also, $100 in gas cards will be provided compliments of Shell Oil Company to each family to help cover transportation costs.

How Boys & Girls Club Families Can Apply

Benchmark Hospitality and Boys & Girls Clubs of America invite interested vacation-ready families who may have thought a trip was not possible this year, and who are affiliated with a local Boys & Girls Club in regions where Benchmark operates hotels and resorts, to complete a brief application form available online at www.benchmarkhospitality.com/BGCAfamilyvacation by October 4th. On the application, families are asked to include their story in 200-500 words for the consideration by BGCA.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America will review each family's story and forward final recommendations to Benchmark Hospitality International. Families will be informed of their selection for a vacation in late November.