The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, June 2015 … Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, announces that the Florida International University (FIU) Alumni Association has honored the company’s Founder & Chairman Burt Cabañas with the “Alumnus of the Year Award”. The Alumnus of the Year Award is given to a prominent alumnus of FIU who has achieved distinction through exceptional contributions in their field on the national level, the international level, and within their local community. It is the most prestigious honor given by the Alumni association.
“Giving back is very important to me,” said Mr. Cabañas. “At this point in my career, I have a dual focus, which includes supporting Benchmark Hospitality in delivering the best possible service to our hotel owners and guests, and to our corporate clients. And, equally important, doing everything I can to help strengthen, support and grow my alma mater, Florida International University.”
Under Burt Cabañas’ leadership Benchmark Hospitality International, which he founded in 1980 and is today a recognized global leader in the management and marketing of resorts, hotels and conference centers, has grown to nearly 40 luxury properties in the United States, Japan and the Caribbean. Benchmark provides management, marketing and development services, ranging from the design phase of projects to facilities construction and technical services. Mr. Cabañas began his career within the hospitality industry when he was a young man, working as a lifeguard for Miami Beach’s Shelborne Hotel.
Additionally, Burt Cabañas is a founding board member, past president, and active supporter of the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), the global conference industry’s thought leader on the meeting experience. In 1988, IACC presented him with the Mel Hosansky Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the association and to the conference center industry globally.
Finally, Burt Cabañas individually and through his company is an active supporter of initiatives designed to assist and recognize US Military personnel and their families, such as the USO. As well, he provides annual scholarships to gifted students in the culinary arts through the Bob Zappetelli Scholarship, which he established in recognition of Benchmark Hospitality’s extraordinary first vice president of food & beverage.
This is the third prestigious award Burt Cabañas has received from Florida International University. In 2006, he was honored with the FIU Torch Award as well as the FIU Medallion Award, recognizing his active and long-term involvement as Chairman of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Industry Advisory Board.
