HOUSTON, TX, May 1, 2008. Benchmark Hospitality International, the global leader in meetings, has launched a clever election-year campaign designed to win new business that is being enthusiastically embraced by planners across the United States. The campaign, called “Elect Benchmark,” broadcasts “live” from BHI Network’s “Election Central” studios, and introduces anchorwoman Connie Ferrents-Planner, an engaging, “animated” newscaster anyone would want to listen to. Throughout the broadcast, Ms. Ferrents-Planner delivers Elect Benchmark campaign updates from across the country, borrowing from the current and past political seasons to drive home messages for all 18 candidates (a.k.a. Benchmark properties nationwide) and doing it in a highly engaging way. Katie Couric, look out.

“We wanted to do something creative outside the typical sales blitz,” said Eric Terry, vice president sales & marketing. “Something that recipients would click on and have fun with, offering a clever, humorous and current angle. What better theme this year than the election. The immediate feedback from the market was that we accomplished just that – planners are having a ball with the broadcast and even forwarding it to their colleagues with a ‘you’ve got to check this out’ message. And guess what, its working.”

Delivered as an email blast to 80,000 planners globally who have booked a Benchmark property or shown strong interest, upon clicking onto www.electbenchmark.com viewers are immediately transported to a dynamic and humorous “election news broadcast” presentation. Elect Benchmark is highly interactive in that while watching, viewers can “vote” for the favorite candidate they may be considering for an upcoming meeting or event. Mousing over their candidate’s state on the election map brings up more information on the candidate, such as the Platform (very brief property overview), Campaign Promises (specific offer) and a Request for Votes (link to more information and RFP). Planners’ votes are then directed to the selected properties’ sales teams.

Elect Benchmark Candidate Issues
An election has to have issues, and Elect Benchmark, borrowing from the real news headlines, has them. The election issues cover all 18 candidates and include:
--- The hotly contested “Swing Vote”
--- Candidates coming out in favor of a well-designed “Space Program”
--- This just in, all the candidates have announced they have “Running Mates”
--- Turning to the economy, each of the candidates has come out in favor of a “Balanced Budget”.
--- And yes, all 18 candidates have “Green” Platforms through EverGreen.
--- Every election has a bit of controversy and Elect Benchmark is no exception – there are “Hanging Chads” in Florida, again, as reported by anchorwoman Connie Ferrents-Planner.
--- Candidates Get Out the Vote with Buttons & Slogans

It’s an election and so each of the 18 “candidates” has to work hard to get out the vote. One way is with campaign buttons delivering clever campaign slogans to drive the candidate’s message forward. Here’s a few:
--- Stay on Track at The Chattanoogan
--- Eaglewood, You Should Too!
--- Naples Bay is A-OK
--- Everything’s Waiting for you Downtown … at the Downtown Conference Center
--- Turtle Bay All the Way
--- This Land is Northland
--- Heaven is Heldrich

Oceans of Opportunity at Costa d’Este Beach Resort
“Literally minutes after launch on Tuesday, Mission Inn Resort & Club, our newest Benchmark property, received 16 solid inquiries from Elect Benchmark,” continued Mr. Terry. “Ms. Ferrents-Planner is doing her job brilliantly.”

To learn more about Elect Benchmark or hear what newswoman Connie Ferrents-Planner has to say today, go to:
www.electbenchmark.com/Vote/VoteBase.asp. Don’t forget to vote.