Benchmark Names Director of Marketing
Lansdowne Resort Near Washington DC
HOUSTON, TX, September 27, 2007. Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Mark Riddell as director of marketing for Lansdowne Resort, located 30 miles west of Washington, DC near Leesburg, Virginia. Warren Breaux, Benchmark's director of sales & marketing at the resort, made the announcement.
"It is a pleasure to welcome Mark to Lansdowne Resort," said Mr. Breaux. "He brings important marketing and public relations experience within the entertainment segment of the hospitality industry to our resort. We look forward to his contribution to our sales and marketing programming."
Mr. Riddell was previously marketing and communications manager for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. The organization, based in Fairfax, Virginia, owns and operates 19 regional parks, including three championship golf courses, five water parks, historical sites, hiking and biking trails and campgrounds.
Prior to this, Riddell served as national director of public relations for Feld Entertainment, based in Vienna, Virginia. In this role he oversaw media relations, brand management and advertising for the company, which produces such well-known productions as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney On Ice, Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage, and other national touring companies.
During his eight-year tenure with Feld Entertainment, Mr. Riddell held the additional positions of public relations coordinator and Internet marketing manager. He also previously served as spokesperson and media relations director for Paramount's Kings Dominion theme park near Richmond, Virginia, and as director of communications for Celebrate Fairfax, Inc., a non-profit organization that produces fairs, festivals, cultural and public events for Fairfax County, Virginia.
Mark Riddell is a graduate of George Mason University where he earned a Bachelors degree in English-writing. He and his wife, Christine, live in Ashburn, Virginia, with their 6-year-old twin daughters.
Lansdowne Resort is the capital region's premier, full-service resort. Operated by Benchmark Hospitality International, the resort is situated on 500 + acres of secluded countryside along the Potomac River near Leesburg, Virginia. Lansdowne features 305 freshly renovated luxury guestrooms and suites, the luxurious Spa Min'erale, 36 holes of championship golf, including the new Greg Norman Course, a new 45,000 square foot clubhouse, and six dining outlets. Coming this May, Lansdowne will unveil "Shark Bite," a 9-hole Greg Norman-designed short course, bringing The Golf Club at Lansdowne to 45 holes.




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