The Partnership

A Bold New Chapter

On August 13, 2025, Vinik Sports Group and Benchmark International announced a multi-year naming rights partnership, officially renaming Tampa Bay’s premier sports and entertainment venue to Benchmark International Arena. The agreement features extensive rebranding of the facility, including new exterior and interior signage, digital integrations, and the renaming of the premium club level as the “Benchmark International Club Level” with “The Mark” as its signature all-inclusive experience.

This alliance brings Benchmark International into collaboration with one of the NHL’s most respected organizations and ownership groups — now joined by Blue Owl Capital — aligning the firm with global brands that share its values of performance, integrity, and community impact.

Where Legacies Are Made

Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, Benchmark International Arena ushers in a landmark partnership between Benchmark International and Vinik Sports Group - home to the proud and storied Tampa Bay Lightning. 

This collaboration comes as the Lightning, now backed by Blue Owl Capital, one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers, embarks on a new era of global reach and business leadership. Together, Benchmark International and the Lightning are creating more than a premier venue for championship hockey and world-class entertainment - it is a symbol of shared ambition, community investment, and the pursuit of excellence.

Every partnership tells a story of purpose. For Benchmark International, this milestone is more than a name on a building - it’s a statement of intent.

A New Era

Global Standing

Built on Trust and Performance

Benchmark International has built its reputation on guiding business owners and operators through high-stakes growth and exit transitions - delivering value, strategic clarity, and global reach. For Benchmark International, the naming rights to this high-profile venue enable the firm to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with world-class brands in sport, entertainment and business. By aligning with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the transformation of this landmark arena, Benchmark International signals:

Presence with Prestige:

Aligning its name with an internationally recognized arena reflects the firm’s standing among respected institutions and sophisticated markets.

Commitment to Excellence:

Like the Lightning, Benchmark’s success is built on preparation, teamwork, and delivering championship-level results for every client.

Global Influence, Local Pride:

As a firm with worldwide reach and Tampa roots, Benchmark embodies the city’s growth story while extending its impact far beyond it.

Wir freuen uns, Benchmark International als neuen Namenspartner unseres Veranstaltungsortes begrüßen zu dürfen. Benchmark International ist eine angesehene Marke mit globaler Reichweite und engen Verbindungen zur Region Tampa Bay. Diese Partnerschaft spiegelt unser gemeinsames Engagement für Exzellenz, Service und gesellschaftliches Engagement wider. *
Steve Griggs
CEO, Vinik Sports Group
* translated

Social Feed

Behind The Scenes

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We’re honored to be recognized as the 2026 New Community Partner of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Our partnership reflects Benchmark International’s commitment to creating opportunities and making a meaningful impact in the communities we call home. Through mentorship and education, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is helping young people build confidence, discover new opportunities, and reach their potential. We’re proud to support that mission and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the work happening across our Tampa Bay community. We look forward to continuing this partnership and finding new ways to give back. #BenchmarkInternational #SettingTheBenchmark #TampaBay #Partnership #BenchmarkInternationalPartnerships
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Wishing you a sweet, joyful, and meaningful New Year. Happy Rosh Hashanah from Benchmark International. #RoshHashanah #BenchmarkInternational
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What makes a riskier investment worth your time and capital? @kalgullapalli and host Dara Shareef unpack opportunity cost, hurdle rates, and why taking on greater risk should come with different expectations for return. Through experience with @daveshotchicken, @popupbagels, @orangetheory, @europeanwax, @marcospizza, and @builtdifferentbrands, Kal brings an operator’s perspective to evaluating risk and return. 🎙️Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business
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We pause today to honor the lives lost, the courage shown, and the unity that emerged. We will never forget. #PatriotDay #NeverForget #BenchmarkInternational
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“I just believe in radical transparency. People should always know where they sit.” - Kal Gullapalli For @kalgullapalli, clarity is key. People deserve to know where they stand, what’s expected of them, and what it takes to move forward. In this conversation with Dara Shareef, Kal shares insights and lessons from his experience with @daveshotchicken, @popupbagels, @orangetheory, @europeanwax, @marcospizza, and @builtdifferentbrands Because sometimes, one honest conversation is all it takes to create clarity, build trust, and move things forward. 🎙️Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #BusinessLeader
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Take it from the top. Cue our special guest. We’re live! When is an opportunity worth the risk? @kalgullapalli joins host Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks to talk about risk and returns, KPIs, building the right team, protecting culture, and making smarter decisions as you grow. Kal shares lessons from operating 77 units across @daveshotchicken, @popupbagels, @orangetheory, @europeanwax, @marcospizza, and @builtdifferentbrands. What has he learned along the way? 🎙️Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #closingremarks
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Testimonial Tuesday This week, we hear from Kim O’Connor of Palm Coast Sales, http://Inc., who shares how Benchmark International’s strategic approach and industry outreach helped generate strong buyer interest and support a successful transaction. #BenchmarkSuccess #BenchmarkInternational #TestimonialTuesday
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🤔 What if your biggest strength isn’t building the playbook, but knowing how to grow with it? Through experience, @kalgullapalli discovered where he creates the most value: taking a proven playbook and putting the right people and processes in place to grow. His journey includes experience across @daveshotchicken, @popupbagels, @orangetheory, @europeanwax, @marcospizza, and @builtdifferentbrands. 🎙️ Tomorrow on Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef talks with Kal about how that realization influenced his path from investing to franchising. Tune in at 6 AM.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #BusinessLeader
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💭 Sometimes a business sale starts with a simple question: What could my business be worth? Dara Shareef talks with @thomasjfrey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP of Software Engineering at @cboeglobalmarkets, about how that curiosity opened the door to exploring a potential sale. While Thomas was exploring his options, Cboe Global Markets approached him about an acquisition. 🎙️ What happened next? Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks
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Happy Labor Day from Benchmark International. Honoring the dedication, talent, and hard work that drive progress forward. #LaborDay #BenchmarkInternational
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Did you miss our conversation with Derrick Brooks?   As USF football gets back on the field, we’re revisiting a great conversation with a Tampa Bay and USF legend on leadership, business, brand-building, and the power of community.   🎙️ Catch Derrick Brooks in conversation with Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks. Watch the episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and share.     #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #BenchmarkInternational #Community #TampaBay
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👥 How much more could you build with the right people beside you? For @thomasjfrey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP of Software Engineering at @cboeglobalmarkets, learning to let go and bring great people in became an important leadership lesson. Thomas shares what building a small team taught him about talent, mentorship, and helping others succeed in his conversation with Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks. 🎙️Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #SoftwareEngineering #Business
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“I was the typical founder that thought I could do it all myself.” - @thomasjfrey For Thomas Frey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP of Software Engineering at @cboeglobalmarkets, one of the biggest lessons was learning when to let go, delegate, and bring great people into the business. On Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef and Thomas explore how learning to trust and empower others can shape the way a founder leads and grows. 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Founder #Business #Leader
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Cue host. Stand by talent. We’re LIVE! What does it take to build, lead, sell, and keep evolving? @thomasjfrey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP of Software Engineering at @cboeglobalmarkets, joins Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks to talk M&A, delegation, AI, great people, and one of the biggest questions for any founder: What comes next? 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #AI
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Testimonial Tuesday This week, we hear from Tim Wood of KGM, who reflects on the complexities of the M&A process and the value of having an experienced partner by your side. With numerous moving pieces and important decisions throughout the transaction, Benchmark International brought the expertise and coordination needed to successfully navigate the process. #BenchmarkSuccess #BenchmarkInternational #TestimonialTuesday
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What can happen when you follow an interest and see where it leads? For @thomasjfrey, founder of Silexx Financial Systems and former SVP of Software Engineering at @cboeglobalmarkets, an interest in financial markets led him into software engineering and eventually to building a business later acquired by Cboe Global Markets. Tomorrow on Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef talks with Thomas about the path from building to selling, and the lessons that shaped what came next. Where did that path take him next? 🎙️ Tune in tomorrow at 6 AM.     #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks
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🤝 An exit isn’t just about getting the deal done. What happens after closing matters too. When Symphony Ventures was sold, @ian_barkin, founder of @bemagentiq, says the structure gave the founders room to focus on their craft, integrate into the new organization, and continue growing the business without highly restrictive earnouts. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef and Ian explore the side of M&A that owners have to consider beyond the transaction itself: what life and work will actually look like on the other side. 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #AI
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Sometimes better business starts with a “shoe swap.” Long before @ian_barkin, founder of @bemagentiq, was thinking about AI agents, he was thinking about empathy. Ian shares how an initiative he called the “shoe swap” encouraged business partners to see the world from each other’s perspective. The goal was simple: understand what the other side is trying to achieve before you plan, negotiate, or collaborate. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef and Ian discuss why the human perspective still matters, even as technology changes how business gets done. 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Business #Podcast #AI
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An idea. Roughly 350 professionals. An exit. Four years. That’s how @ian_barkin, founder of @bemagentiq, describes the sprint behind Symphony Ventures. Timing mattered, but so did being able to execute when the market opportunity appeared. On this week’s episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef talks with Ian about the journey from a bold entrepreneurial leap to scaling a company and ultimately reaching an exit. For business owners, it’s a look at what can happen when opportunity, execution, and the right team come together. 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #AI
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What if getting your business ready for AI also made it easier to sell? Ian Barkin has already lived through one automation revolution. Now, he sees familiar mistakes emerging as companies race toward AI. In the latest Closing Remarks, Dara Shareef sits down with @ian_barkin, the founder of @bemagentiq, to explore what robotic process automation can teach us about AI agents, why “AI first” is an ambition but “AI ready” is a plan, and how the work required to prepare for AI could also prepare a company for an eventual exit. What does an AI-ready business actually look like? 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Business #Podcast #AI
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The wait is over! Mark it…. We’re live. On the latest episode of Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef sits down with @ian_barkin, founder of @bemagentiq, to talk AI, automation, entrepreneurship, and exits. From becoming AI-ready and potentially exit-ready to keeping humans at the center of automation, developing the next generation of leaders, and finding purpose after a sale. 🎙️ Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, & share! Link in bio. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #Business #AI #Success
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Testimonial Tuesday This week, we hear from Ross Edlund of Skillets http://Inc., who shares how Benchmark International’s experienced guidance and representation helped generate strong buyer interest early in the process and position the business for the desired outcome. #BenchmarkSuccess #BenchmarkInternational #TestimonialTuesday #SettingTheBenchmark #Testimonial #ClientTestimonial
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🤖 AI first is an ambition. AI-ready is a plan. But what does becoming AI-ready actually require? On tomorrow’s episode, host Dara Shareef talks with @ian_barkin, founder of @bemagentiq, about why business owners need to understand and document how work actually gets done before layering AI onto it. That rigor can do more than prepare a company for automation. As Ian explains, becoming AI-ready can, in many cases, also make a business exit-ready. Tomorrow on Closing Remarks, host Dara Shareef sits down with Ian to explore what that means for business owners, AI adoption, automation, and business value. 🎙️ Tune in tomorrow at 6 AM. #BenchmarkInternational #ClosingRemarks #Podcast #AI
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How do we make sure the next generation helps shape what comes next? For @ScottFink, Chairman and CEO of Giant Auto Group–Fink Auto Group and owner of @vwofwesleychapel and @subaruofwesleychapel, the answer starts with connection. Scott believes businesses and philanthropic organizations need to reach the next generation early, build bridges, and provide young leaders with opportunities to make an impact in their communities. Hear Scott discuss the future of Tampa Bay with Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks. Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, Subscribe & Share. Link in bio. #ClosingRemarks #BenchmarkInternational #Podcast #Business #Entrepreneur #Leadership #BusinessLeader
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🤝 What do automotive retail and M&A have in common? Relationships matter. @ScottFink, the Chairman and CEO of Giant Auto Group–Fink Auto Group and owner of @vwofwesleychapel and @subaruofwesleychapel, built his dealerships by choosing relationships over transactions, earning repeat customers and turning them into advocates for his business. It’s an approach he connects directly to Benchmark International: take care of people and foster relationships. Hear Scott discuss the philosophy with Dara Shareef on Closing Remarks. Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Like, Subscribe & Share. Link in bio. #ClosingRemarks #BenchmarkInternational #Podcast #Business #Entrepreneur #Leadership #BusinessLeader