Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center Joins Forces with USO

06/27/2011

 SCOTTSDALE RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER JOINS FORCES WITH USO

TO SUPPORT TROOPS AND FAMILIES

Scottsdale, Ariz. – (June 27, 2011) – As the country prepares to celebrate its birthday and the important role the military has played in its history, Benchmark Hospitality International, managers of the AAA Four Diamond Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center, announced a new corporate outreach program to support the USO. The resort, along with its 35+sister properties across the country, will help sustain the USO’s goal of giving troops and their families a touch of home with the following in-kind hospitality contributions:

•  Complimentary guest room stays for troops about to deploy or just returning from deployment


• Support to the Mobile USO staff traveling throughout the U.S. to military installations and events


• Event Support – homecomings, galas, dinner events


• Vacation giveaways to USO centers holding silent auctions at local events


• Book drives and support of other USO programs such as the Wounded Warriors initiatives


• Supplies to support Operation USO Care Package and Holiday Boxes for troops.

What the resort is doing for the USO in the Arizona community

Although the partnership with Benchmark and USO was only solidified in the past few weeks, the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center team jumped right in and put the following initiatives in place, according to General Manager, Brenda Weskamp. And this is just the beginning.

•  Met with the local USO Center Director and the Director of Regional Development to discuss opportunities.


• Set up a reservation procedure to provide complimentary rooms, including a full buffet breakfast daily, for military personnel and USO staff.


• They have booked one reservation already for a USO staff member traveling to Phoenix.


• Donated two “Sunday Brunch for Four” gift certificates to the local USO for volunteer rewards.


• On June 1^st, they began a Jeans for GIs campaign.  If resort employees make a $5 donation to the USO, they can wear jeans to work on Fridays (through August).

The venture to support the USO is part of Benchmark’s Hometown Hospitality Caring For Our Communities program for 2011. The program was designed to advance the company’s philanthropic endeavors through employee volunteer programs, in-kind donations and community outreach activities. Benchmark believes that responsible corporate citizenship recognizes the inalienable link between a healthy and vibrant community and the health and well being of a company and its employees. Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities encourages and enables Benchmark employees globally to seek leading roles in the communities in which they live and work and the world community as well by supporting social, educational, and cultural programs, either through property-developed initiatives or through partnering with existing services.  

About the USO

For 70 years, the USO has been lifting the spirits of the nation's troops and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO provides programs, entertainment and services at more than 160 locations worldwide.

About Benchmark Hospitality International

Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and the Personal Luxury Collection?.  The independent company, launched in 1980, is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. Benchmark Hospitality is also a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  The company's eastern regional office is in New Jersey, western regional office is in Washington, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark's properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

About the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center

Located in the heart of scenic McCormick Ranch, recognized for the splendor of its lakes, greenbelts and golf courses, the 326-room Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center provides convenient access to both the dramatic beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the lively shopping, restaurant, gallery, and club scene of Scottsdale. The resort borders the McCormick Ranch Golf Club offering private golf views from rooms, patios and restaurants.  The Palm Court serves classic American cuisine with Continental service in a casual yet elegant environment. Both the Palm Court and the resort are AAA Four-Diamond Award winners.

Media Contact:

Sally Cooper, 480-946-9446, sally.cooper@me.com

Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center

7700 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

480-991-9000, 800-528-0293, www.thescottsdaleresort.com

Contacts

Sally Cooper
Sally Cooper and Company
sally.cooper@me.com
480.946.9446