Marriott on the Move

The Super Bowl and Super Brands

Marriott on the Move — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:35:32 -0800

Courtyard by Marriott guests love football. So you can imagine all the lobby buzz for the Big Game. Courtyard was right in the thick of it as the official hotel sponsor for the National Football League. We even set up a Courtyard by Marriott Lobby Zone at the NFL Experience where fans of both brands could meet players and really get into the spirit of the game. As you can see, it was a blast. The power brands have been great partners right from the start. When Courtyard was launched in 1983, it created a new segment in the lodging...

Steve Jobs: Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

Marriott on the Move — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:49:05 -0800

Recently, I had an opportunity to read the story of Apple’s Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I found it fascinating and well done. We all know that Jobs changed the world with his many creations at Apple and Pixar Films. Isaacson wrote, “Steve Jobs became the greatest business executive of our era. The one most certain to be remembered a century from now. History will place him in the pantheon right next to Edison and Ford. Was he smart, no, not exceptionally; instead, he was a genius. His imaginative leaps were instinctive, unexpected, and at times, magical.” I‘ve always been...

The Year of the Dragon

Marriott on the Move — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:03:14 -0800

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 2012 is the year of the Dragon. Let the week-long celebrations begin. That’s right, an entire week of brilliant fireworks and colorful parades. It’s truly an amazing spectacle. Think Times Square – but a whole lot bigger! Our Marriott hotels in Shanghai, Beijing and Sanya, will have ceremonies featuring Chinese drummers and Kung Fu artists. Food is also very important to New Year's celebrations. The Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel created a unique dim sum dumpling menu in honor of the Dragon. Each dish is a work of art. Chinese New Year Coconut Pudding and Taro...

A Big Day for U.S. Tourism

Marriott on the Move — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:26:40 -0800

"The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work.” -- President Obama, January 19, 2012 Listen to Blog This year 1 billion people are expected to travel outside their own countries to see and experience the world. And for every 35 of those international visitors, one job is created. That's why President Obama went to Disneyworld this week to talk about the importance of travel and tourism in creating American jobs. He also knows that when someone from another country visits the United States, they generally go home a fan, and that's good for our...

Lessons of a Soda Jerk

Marriott on the Move — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:44:56 -0800

My very first job was a soda jerk and that taught me a lot about customer service. It was very busy, especially on the weekends. Filling orders in a timely way was a challenge and great fun. I was thrown into the front lines and was stuck many times. When I got behind, it took a long time for me to build a banana split. This was back in 1952 at our Hot Shoppes Restaurant in Silver City, Utah. I worked as a soda jerk while I was a student at the University of Utah. My dad would often come...

Monumental Courage and Conviction of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (originally posted for MLK memorial dedication Oct. 2011)

Marriott on the Move — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:56:17 -0800

My parents founded our company in 1927, nearly 30 years before the Civil Rights Movement. It didn’t matter to them who or what you were, you were welcome. Back then in the South, here in Washington, D.C., this was a courageous move. But they stuck to their beliefs. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up for what he believed in. I'm still amazed at how he was able to change the face of not just our great country, but of the world. His courage and heroism continue to inspire me. (Dr. King's portrait is in our boardroom with a note from...

Checking In as a Guest, Leaving as Family

Marriott on the Move — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:33:54 -0800

Joy Bricker went public at the age of 79. She’s famous for being the 10-year guest at TownePlace Suites in Falls Church, Virginia. Ten years … in the same room! Now that’s loyalty and a lot of Rewards points. It also makes for a great media story. When Joy announced she was checking-out to move in with her daughter in New York, the media converged -- The Washington Post, CNN and ABC Channel 7 News. Before you knew it, folks around the world were talking about the lady who for ten years made Marriott her home. What makes this story...

J. Edgar & Me

Marriott on the Move — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:03:59 -0800

Donna and I attended the J. Edgar movie on opening day. We both thought the movie was very well done. I was born in Washington in 1932 and lived here all my life except for four years in college at the University of Utah and two years in the U.S. Navy. I grew up hearing about J. Edgar Hoover and the G. Men. In 1939, my dad bought his first Cadillac and as a little boy I would travel with him to the Cadillac dealer to have his car serviced. I remember seeing Hoover’s limousine in the garage. While I...

My Decision: Timing is Everything

Marriott on the Move — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:41:00 -0800

Listen to blog MY DECISION It’s been quite a week since I announced that I’m handing over the day-to-day CEO reins to Arne Sorenson. The blog comments have been truly heartwarming. Thank you so much. So people ask, “What went into my decision?” I try to lead from my heart and my heart said, “Now’s the time.” For some reason, many of you thought that we were talking about the “R” word – retirement. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be executive chairman and as I said in numerous media interviews, Arne will be driving the bus, but I’ll...

Changes at the Top (Me)

Marriott on the Move — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:49:00 -0800

Listen to blog In 2012, we celebrate the 85th birthday of our company and I proudly celebrate my 60th year of service. During the past six decades, I have had the privilege to know and work with some of the most talented people in the world. Our associates have always been my extended family to me, and one of the greatest joys in life has been to see so many find a welcoming place and rewarding opportunities at Marriott. It’s amazing to think about what has been accomplished since that little root beer stand was opened so many years ago...