The UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality announces a $1 million philanthropic gift from Marco Benvenuti to establish the Marco Benvenuti Excellence Endowment. The gift represents the culmination of years of support from the local entrepreneur and 2002 graduate.
The $1 million Marco Benvenuti Excellence Endowment was established to enhance student retention and success by providing critical funding for student travel, professional development, and special projects to complement coursework.
“Marco is a true champion of our students and a Rebel through and through,” said David Cárdenas, dean of the Harrah College of Hospitality. “With this new gift, we have the potential to change the lives of students for years to come. We are so fortunate to be on the receiving end of such generosity.”
Benvenuti is the founder of the revenue management company Duetto, which commercialized the software he invented to create open pricing, a more profitable way for hotels to manage and price their room inventory. Duetto is used by hospitality firms around the world.
A dedicated advocate of the Harrah College of Hospitality, Benvenuti mentored both students and faculty on pricing and revenue management and was a frequent guest speaker in a variety of classes. Benvenuti made sure Duetto offered frequent internship opportunities for Hospitality College students as well as funding to build the college’s academic facility, Hospitality Hall. In 2017, Benvenuti was named one of the college’s 50 Most Intriguing Alumni.
In recognition of Benvenuti’s support for the college and rich connection to the properties on the Strip, Dean Cárdenas announced the Harrah College of Hospitality will name the lobby space on the 4th floor of Hospitality Hall the Marco Benvenuti Las Vegas Strip View Lobby. A sign bearing the name will be installed above the elevator bank next to the Jerry & Flossie Vallen Executive Suite.
“It is such an honor to have my name associated with the college because I think of this place as my launch pad,” said Benvenuti, who majored in Hotel Administration and graduated summa cum laude from UNLV in just two years. “It gave me the understanding and the tools to be successful, and I want students to have that same opportunity. This donation is my way of offering that support.”
The Harrah College of Hospitality is top-ranked nationally for delivering high-quality classroom instruction and real-world experience. Students learn from industry experts like Benvenuti on campus and enjoy internships and job opportunities with notable brands just a few blocks from campus.
"This gift from Marco Benvenuti is especially significant as it supports the total educational experience for our students," said UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield. "As we continue to grow our immersive learning opportunities at UNLV, we are seeing some of the most valuable experiences and connections our students have occur outside the traditional classroom setting. I am thrilled that this generous donation will support those opportunities."
Benvenuti is now part of the College of Hospitality’s distinguished list of major donors, whose generosity toward rising professionals is transforming the hospitality industry.
"This gift will leave an enduring legacy," remarked Rickey N. McCurry, UNLV vice president of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and UNLV Foundation president. "It will enhance our students' holistic development, readiness, and competitiveness within the hospitality industry and our standing as a top hospitality school. We are deeply honored to have engaged alumni like Marco Benvenuti who invest in the future of UNLV."
