Although Benchmark’s remarkable success is the result of the energy and talent of its very diverse management team, the company was founded in 198O through the distinct vision of Humberto “Burt” Cabañas.

Mr. Cabanas immigrated in 1957 to the USA at age 10 with his mother and sister from pre-Castro Cuba, following the death of his father. The family’s stay in the United States was intended to be temporary, a time to regroup and cope with the loss. However, once Fidel Castro took power in Cuba Burt and his family became permanent “exiles,” as he refers to himself, in the United States and has never returned to his homeland. The United States became his adopted home.

• For over 25 remarkable years, Burt Cabañas, Benchmark, and the hospitality industry have been indelibly linked through launching the company, building or redirecting countless properties, participating in the development of the conference center industry, and serving on several university boards, presently at Florida International University.
  
  
• Today Benchmark Hospitality is the composite of thousands of people who serve a growing list of guests every day. As chairman and CEO, Burt is always championing, cheerleading, supporting and looking actively to the future.
  
  
• Benchmark’s company culture is central to our management philosophy. The company’s stated purpose is “to provide an entrepreneurial environment where determined people dare to create, share, and build futures.”
  
  
• Burt’s initial vision when starting the company in 1980 was to provide career opportunities to individuals who have a positive service attitude and a determination to succeed. This remains as one of our objectives today.

"“Why Benchmark – Benchmark’s culture is one that seems to propagate throughout the company from property to property very successfully. You can tell this by our people…the products of their culture. When you go to a Benchmark property, no matter what part of the Country you are visiting, whether as a client or an employee, you know what to expect across the board…there is an uncanny consistency from property to property…a consistency found in the people.” Tom – Downtown Conference Center