Benchmark Names Wende Blumberg GM for Mission Inn Resort
Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida
HOUSTON, TX, September 16, 2008. Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Wende Blumberg as general manager for Mission Inn Resort & Club, the landmark property located on Lake Harris in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, near Orlando. Laura Neumann, vice president, made the announcement.
"It is a pleasure to welcome Wende to Benchmark Hospitality International," said Ms. Neumann, "and to her new leadership role at Mission Inn Resort & Club to which she brings extensive Florida market experience. This represents a return to the Benchmark family for Wende and we're thrilled to have her back on our team!"
Wende provides three decades of experience to the Mission Inn Resort and Club. For the past ten years, Ms. Blumberg has worked with Hilton Hotels Corporation, serving most recently as general manager of the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel, a Four Diamond property. For several years she was general manager for The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, a property located in Gainesville, which she opened.
Prior to joining Hilton, Ms. Blumberg was director of sales & marketing for Sandestin Resort of Destin, Florida. She previously served as director of customer retention and director of conference planning for the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.
When Wende Blumberg initially worked for Benchmark Hospitality International, she held the title of director of conferences for The Cottages at Shipyard Plantation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which Benchmark operated at the time.
Wende Blumberg is the past president of the global organization governing the conference center industry, the International Association of Conference Centers. Over her productive career she has served in leadership roles with numerous chamber, sports and tourism boards.
Ms. Blumberg earned her Masters Degree in Recreation & Parks from Penn State University, and her undergraduate degree in the same discipline from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She is an avid golfer and horse woman. Ms. Blumberg is relocating to the Orlando area.
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