BENCHMARK Names Eric J. Bates General Manager of Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Eric Bates general manager for Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Itasca (Chicago), Illinois. Greg Champion, Benchmark's president & COO, made the announcement.
"It is such a pleasure to welcome Eric to Benchmark and to Eaglewood Resort & Spa,” said Mr. Champion. “I can't think of anyone more qualified to take this property to even greater levels of business success, given Eric's previous experience and understanding of the Chicagoland market. We look forward to his leadership here.”
Eric Bates was previously general manager for the Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. He concurrently served as regional director of operations for The Bricton Group of Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Mr. Bates earlier held the position of director of lodging & homeowner relations for the 6,800-acre Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa of Galena, Illinois. Over his career he has served in a number of leadership positions for major hotel brands such as Hilton, InterContinental Hotels and the Stouffer Hotel Company, in addition to Marriott International. He began his career in hospitality at age 15, working for hotels owned by family and friends.
Eric Bates is a graduate of the culinary arts program at Joliet Junior College where he earned an Associate's degree. He received his Bachelor's degree in hospitality and restaurant management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, graduating Cum Laude. An active community member, Mr. Bates serves on the Board of Directors of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and on the boards of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, the Riverside Foundation and the Marriott Business Council. Former board appointments include the Milwaukee Hotel and Lodging Association, the Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. In 2017, the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association awarded Mr. Bates a coveted regional Hotelier of the Year award for the second time. In 2018, he was awarded the Business Excellence award by the Daily Herald Business Ledger. He resides in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, with his family.
About Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Conveniently located just 12 miles west of O'Hare International Airport and 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Eaglewood Resort & Spa is nestled on 104 acres in Itasca, Illinois. Managed by Benchmark Hospitality International, the AAA Four-‐Diamond resort offers 295 spacious guestrooms and suites. Featuring walk out balconies showcasing views of our championship golf course. In addition, Eaglewood offers three distinct dining venues with fine and casual menu options; first-‐class recreation including a complete health spa, 18-‐hole championship golf course, sparkling pool with sundeck, fitness center and six-‐lane Brunswick Retro Bowling alley; as well as 37,000 square Feet of IACC-‐certified meeting space. For more information or room reservations call (630) 773-‐1400, toll free at (877) 285- 6150 or visit: www.eaglewoodresort.com. Keep current on events at www.facebook.com/EaglewoodResort or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/EaglewoodResort or Instagram @EaglewoodResort.
About Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®
Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® features the finest in lodging, dining, recreational and meeting accommodations. Featuring unique and distinctive properties renown for exceptional service and for creating unforgettable memory-making experiences, it is the signature portfolio of BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, which has been a leading US-based hospitality management company for nearly 40 years. Many Benchmark Resort & Hotels' properties are certified by IACC, the association that represents the finest meeting venues and services globally, and many have also been recognized with the coveted Benchmark Conference Centers® certification of meeting excellence. www.benchmarkresortsandhotels.com. To become a fan on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/BenchmarkResortsandHotels Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BenchmarkHotels, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/benchmarkresortsandhotels, and on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/benchmarkhotel
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
