Eric J. Bates named General Manager of Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago

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Eric Bates

BENCHMARK¨, a global hospitality company, has named Eric Bates general manager forÊEaglewood Resort & Spa,ÊaÊBenchmark Resorts & HotelsÊpropertyÊlocated in Itasca (Chicago), Illinois. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s president & COO,Êmade the announcement.

“It is such a pleasure to welcome Eric to Benchmark and to Eaglewood Resort & Spa,Ó said Mr Champion. ÒI can’t think of anyone more qualified to take this property to even greater levels of business success, given Eric’s previous experience and understanding of the Chicagoland market. We look forward to his leadership here.Ó

Eric Bates was previously general manager for the Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. He concurrently served as regional director of operations for The Bricton Group of Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Mr Bates earlier held the position of director of lodging & homeowner relations for the 6,800-acre Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa of Galena, Illinois. Over his career, he has served in a number of leadership positions for major hotel brands such as Hilton, InterContinental Hotels and the Stouffer Hotel Company, in addition to Marriott International. He began his career in hospitality at age 15, working for hotels owned by family and friends.

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Eric Bates is a graduate of the culinary arts program at Joliet Junior College where he earned an Associate’s degree. He received his Bachelor’s degree in hospitality and restaurant management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, graduating Cum Laude. An active community member, Mr Bates serves on the Board of Directors of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and on the boards of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, the Riverside Foundation and the Marriott Business Council.ÊÊFormer board appointments include the Milwaukee Hotel and Lodging Association, the Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Skokie Chamber of Commerce.ÊÊIn 2017, the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association awarded Mr Bates a coveted regional Hotelier of the Year award for the second time.ÊÊIn 2018, he was awarded the Business Excellence award by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.ÊÊHe resides in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, with his family.

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