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 Benchmark Hospitality Intertnational has taken a bigger step in strengthening its position in the emerging Asia meetings market. The company has launched a joint venture partnership with. Hiromi Takagi and. Kozue Honda, both of Tokyo, announced Burt Cabañas, Chairman/CEO, Benchmark Hospitality.

Takagi and Honda have been affiliated with the company for several years through Benchmark Tech, Benchmark Hospitality's Japanese affiliate, serving as President/Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President/General Manager respectively. The new venture has resulted from Benchmark Japan’s acquisition of 100 percent of Benchmark Tech from Tech R&DS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daiwa House, a leading Japanese company in residential and commercial and hospitality venue construction. Benchmark Tech is now officially re-branded as Benchmark Hospitality International Japan or Benchmark Japan.

"I am extremely pleased to make this announcement," said Cabañas. "With this acquisition, we expand our strong relationship with our business partners, Hiromi Takagi and Kozue Honda, and enhance our opportunities for future growth in Japan."

As part of Benchmark Tech, Takagi and Honda actively and successfully developed the "Conference Center Concept" in Japan. Benchmark Tech operated the Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, which includes 20,000 square feet of certified meeting space and the Something Delicious Restaurant.

"We believe that the 'Conference Center Concept' in day centers, similar to Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa, as  well as in hotels and resorts has significant opportunity to expand and grow in Japan," said. Takagi.

Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa is a member of the International Association of Conference Centers, the prestigious global organization governing conference centers. The property now officially joins the Benchmark portfolio of managed properties.

"Our clients recognize the advantages of Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa 's purpose-built meeting facilities and services," said Honda. "We look forward to expanding Benchmark Japan to better serve our existing customers across Japan and introduce the 'Conference Center Concept' to other Japanese cities and clients."

Burt Cabañas also announced that Benchmark Japan, as part of a larger development team, has been awarded the development rights to a mixed-use, 20-story office tower project in the Ariake area of Tokyo, that will include a non-residential conference center similar to Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa. The project is scheduled for  completion in 2010. Benchmark Japan is also involved in hotel and conference center development in the City of Nagoya's "Sasashima Live 24 Area," south of Nagoya station, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.

"The relationship with our Japanese partners began a decade and a half ago with the formation of Benchmark Tech, an operating partnership between Benchmark Hospitality and Tech R&D" said Mr. Cabañas. "Looking to the future, Benchmark Japan will enhance our company's international presence, offer tremendous growth opportunities to Benchmark