Marriott Awards Employees With Company’s Highest Honor

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has honored eight employees with its highest honor, the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence.  Established in 1987, in honor of the company's founder, the Award of Excellence is presented annually to Marriott employees nominated by their supervisors or peers for their outstanding performance.  These selected employees embody the company’s core values by putting people first; pursuing excellence; embracing change; acting with integrity; and serving our world.   [Bill Marriott blogged about some of this year’s honorees.]

Marriott also announced the recipients of its Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service, and the J. W. Marriott, Jr., Diversity Excellence Award.  

For the Award of Excellence, Marriott’s senior management selected the following honorees:
[Check out Our Stories to learn more about each honoree.]

The Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service is presented to a Marriott business unit and its team of employees in recognition of excellence in corporate citizenship.  This prestigious award recognizes the desire of Marriott and its people to carry on the commitment of the company’s founders by giving energy, time and resources to help improve the lives of others.  This year’s recipient was The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Diversity Excellence Award is the highest form of recognition for a business unit, corporate department or individual that demonstrates excellence in promoting diversity and building an environment of inclusion for all. This year’s recipient was the Western Southwest Sales Organization, Irvine, California.

The awards were presented at a special gala at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Md.   During the ceremony a special video was shown with Bill Marriott sharing his lessons in leadership, about the world of opportunity at Marriott International and how our core values have sustained the company for 85 years.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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Marriott Again Recognized for Wellness at Work and Home

Company received Workplace Excellence Award and Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award.

Marriott International has once again received two awards from the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE).  The company was honored with the Workplace Excellence Award and Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award, recognizing the company for promoting professional achievement and personal wellness at work, at home, and in the community.

As described by AWE, all award applicants undergo a rigorous assessment process led by an independent review panel of professors, PhD professionals, and doctoral candidates in business, industrial and organizational psychology, and human resources. Excellent Workplace and Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award winners demonstrated equal merit in each of the following categories: Workforce Demographics;  Management Practices;  Employee Engagement;  Corporate Social Responsibility; Diversity and Inclusion;  Total Rewards Programs and Benefits;  Health & Wellness Programs and Initiatives, and Employee Voice Survey.

“We are extremely proud to receive these two distinct awards, which help demonstrate Marriott’s enduring commitment to creating an excellent workplace,” said David Rodriguez, executive vice president and chief human resources officer.  “Marriott strives to support the personal and professional growth of all of our associates by offering a variety of work-life programs that help open doors to a world of opportunities.”

Marriott will be honored at a special awards luncheon held on June 11 at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.  Seventy-three Washington, D.C.,-area businesses will be honored at the event, and more than 500 area business executives are expected to attend.

Alliance Overview:  The Alliance for Workplace Excellence provides a portfolio of services that allow employers to build excellent places to work.  Recognizing existing Excellent Places to Work, Health & Wellness Trailblazers and EcoLeaders throughout the mid-Atlantic region is one component of the Alliance’s mission.
 
The Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Montgomery County, Maryland, and Discovery Communications, Inc.  For more information, visit http://www.excellentworkplace.org.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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Marriott Rewards Wins “Best Program of the Year, Americas” For The Fifth Year In A Row at the Freddie Awards

Marriott Rewards took top honors, winning Program of the year (hotel) in the Americas, at last night's Freddie's, the most prestigious awards in the frequent travel industry. Marriott Rewards received four other awards and had the highest number of votes in virtually every category globally. 

“We work every day on behalf of our members and are so grateful to them for giving us this tremendous honor,” said Ed French, senior vice president for Marriott Rewards, pictured. 

Marriott took first place in the following categories:
o Best Promotion for Redemption (hotel) – Americas
o Best Redemption Ability (hotel) – Americas
o Best Elite Level Program (hotel) –Americas
o Best Customer Service (hotel) – Americas

Introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine's Randy Petersen, the "Freddies" have grown in stature and importance to become the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry. The goal of the Freddie Awards is to give voice to the frequent flyer and to honor the efforts of an industry that counts more than 300 million members worldwide.

In 1988 thousands of voters cast Freddie Award ballots. Today, more than 1 million ballots are cast annually online by frequent travelers around the globe. This year, balloting is available in the following languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Norwegian, Chinese and Japanese. And voters will be able to cast a ballot for their favorite travel loyalty program in one of three geographical regions: The Americas, Europe/Africa and Middle East/Asia/Oceania.

Marriott Rewards has no blackout dates and members can earn and redeem points at more than 3,600 Marriott International hotels around the world, including JW Marriott® , EDITION, The Autograph Collection, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott®, and Marriott Vacation Club®.  Members may also earn and redeem points at Marriott Rewards exclusive luxury hotel partner, The Ritz-Carlton.  Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals and more. 

For information about Marriott Rewards, guests can call 1-800-450-4442 or log onto MarriottRewards.com.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with laurie.goldstein@marriott.com

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Marriott International Honored with Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Awards for JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Shanghai

Award winners include JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square, The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong.

Marriott International has been honored with three Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Awards for JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square, The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. In addition to collecting Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Awards for its hotel and spa by ESPA, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong was also named Shanghai’s Top Business Hotel. [Pictured: Michael Malik, multi-property vice president and general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square (left) ; Wong Chin Chu, director of communications of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square (right)]

Announced at the 2012 Shanghai Inaugural Ratings Award Ceremony on April 25, 2012, the Forbes Travel Guide has defined the industry’s highest standard for excellence in hospitality for over 50 years. The Forbes Travel Guide Five- and Four-Star Award winners, judged by a team of professional inspectors, represent the ultimate luxury destinations in China’s financial capital.

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai, The Portman Ritz-Carlton and the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, are three of only 14 hotels in Shanghai to win the designation of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotel. JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai is also the first JW Marriott hotel to achieve the title within 53 cities worldwide.

The three hotels will be showcased alongside all other 2012 award winners on www.Startle.com, the new online destination of Forbes Travel Guide and its prestigious collection of global star-rated properties.

“We are delighted to be recognized with three Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star ratings for The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong and JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai – the first JW Marriott property in the world to be honored with this prestigious award,” said Craig Smith, executive vice president & chief operations officer of Marriott International, Asia. “Shanghai has become one of the world’s top international cities, and to be among the city’s best hotels rated by Forbes Travel Guide speaks volumes about the world-class quality and standard of hotels that Marriott International has to offer.”
 
Shane O'Flaherty, President of Global Ratings and Inspections said: "The 2012 ratings mark the first time Forbes Travel Guide has evaluated and recognized the hospitality industry in Shanghai, China, and in a short period of time Shanghai has captured the minds and the hearts of our inspection team as the properties have not only performed exceptionally well, but the destination as a whole is truly one of the most exciting cities in the world.”

Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, is the originator of the prestigious Mobil Star ratings and certifications system, and has provided the most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Its system of inspections and ratings sets it apart as the undisputed authority on the finest hotels, restaurants and spas across the U.S., in Asian markets including Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and now Shanghai, China, with expansion plans to London, Mexico and Caribbean in 2013.

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.startle.com. 

Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.  There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. 

Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide and originator of the prestigious Mobil Star ratings and certifications, has provided the most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. In October 2009, Mobil Travel Guide announced a strategic partnership with Forbes Media LLC.  This exclusive licensing agreement between two industry leaders with more than 140 years of combined experience transferred the hospitality industry’s premier star rating and travel guide brand from ExxonMobil to Forbes. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against rigorous and objective proprietary standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions.

Jeff Arnold serves as Chairman, and Michael Cascone is President and Chief Operating Officer.

Startle
Startle is the online destination and social media platform for Forbes Travel Guide. This unique new platform combines answers to the questions of travel from the unparalleled insights of the Forbes Travel Guide inspectors, hospitality experts from the world’s leading luxury brands, and some of the most respected travel experts in the industry. With Startle’s expert content, social connections, curated lists, and exclusive offers and experiences, Startle delivers a one-of-a-kind destination online for the most discerning travelers.

Forbes Media LLC
Forbes Media encompasses Forbes and Forbes.com (www.forbes.com), the leading business site on the Web that reaches on average more than 21 million people monthly. The company publishes Forbes and Forbes Asia, which together reach a worldwide audience of more than 6 million readers. It also publishes ForbesLife magazine, in addition to licensee editions in Africa, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Middle East, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Other Forbes media Web sites are ForbesWoman.com; RealClearPolitics.com; RealClearmarkets.com; RealClearSports.com and RealClearworld.com. Together with Forbes.com, these sites reach on average nearly 28 million business decision makers each month.

Steve Forbes serves as Chairman and Editor in Chief. Mike Perlis is President and Chief Executive Officer. Lewis D’Vorkin is Chief Product Officer. Meredith Kopit Levien is Chief Revenue Officer.

Connect with jane.cai@marriott.com

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Marriott Ranked Top Hotel Company by DiversityInc

Company Ranked #1 for Supplier Diversity for the Second Year in a Row.
 
DiversityInc announced Marriott International as #1 in supplier diversity for the second year in a row during the 2012 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity event. Marriott was twenty-first overall making it the highest ranking hotel company on the list. The company was also included on two other specialty lists – Top 10 Companies for Latinos and Top 10 Companies for Blacks. [PHOTO CAPTION: Marriott associates pictured L to R at the 2012 DiversityInc Top 50 event: Philip Devliegher, Maruiel Perkins-Chavis, Tegest Dirasse, Stephanie Gibbs, Karen Doherty and Apoorva Gandhi.]

Marriott was recognized for demonstrating strength in four areas– CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity.

“Marriott has a long-standing reputation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our business is about creating great experiences…we want everyone to feel respected and valued from our associates to our guests, owners and franchisees, and suppliers,” said David Rodriguez, EVP, chief human resources officer and chief diversity leader. “The differences our associates bring to Marriott contribute to the greatness of our organization and enable us to be more innovative in our approach and more responsive to those we serve.”

Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s president and CEO is featured in the current issue of DiversityInc that highlights the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. In October, he will accept an award for the company’s supplier diversity efforts during the magazine’s 2012 Special Awards & Top Regional Companies for Diversity event.

For more information about Marriott’s diversity and inclusion efforts, visit www.marriott.com/diversity.
 
Connect with felicia.mclemore@marriott.com

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Training Magazine Honors Two Marriott Associates

Holly Battelle (left) and Meredith Armstrong (right) Named "Top Young Trainers' for 2012

Training Magazine has named Marriott associates Holly Battelle and Meredith Armstrong ‘Top Young Trainers’ for 2012.  The annual award, now in its fifth year, honors 40 trainers under age 40.   In addition to technical training competency and leadership skills, honorees must have led innovative, large-scale training initiatives that produce business results.  

Battelle, Global Brand Advocate/Senior Manager, developed the first-ever service strategy for the Marriott Executive Apartment brand.  She listened to guest expectations and transformed them into a service strategy across 3,500 luxury serviced apartments in 17 countries.

“Holly is a powerhouse--she never stops and continually pushes those around her to do better, be faster, and more innovative,” said Loren Nalewanski, Vice President, Global Brand Management.  

Armstrong, Director, Sales & Marketing Training, led the single largest training-related transformation in the history of Marriott.   She helped transition more than 3,000 sales associates and 785 hotels to a new way of doing business -- redesigning the sales organization to be more guest-centric. 

“Meredith truly represents the core values of our company.  By ‘putting people first,‘ she has earned great respect among her peers and has increased associate satisfaction in the training organization by 20 percent,” said Sjaloom Stringer, Vice President Sales & Marketing Training, Communications and Recognition. 

Battelle and Armstrong are part of Marriott's Global Learning Network (GLN). The GLN is comprised of approximately 250 Learning Professionals across 20 disciplines who design, develop and deliver best-in-class learning.

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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Inspiration Spotlight – Windy City Superstar

Presented by SpringHill Suites.

First impressions can mean everything to a weary traveler.  Whether commuting by plane, train or car, being on the road is never without stress and when you walk into a hotel, you want to feel like you have reached an oasis. That is exactly how guests feel as they check into the SpringHill Suites Chicago O’Hare hotel. Pleasantly greeted by a bright two story lobby and friendly service, you immediately feel your tense muscles relaxing.  Being an all-suite brand, guests checking in here are all treated to large suites with plush bedding, separate living room areas, mini fridges and microwaves – all the comforts that allow you to relax and recharge. 

Besides the great first impression, this hotel is also now also a local superstar. The Windy city’s leading hotel booking site, ChicagoHotels.org, has just announced SpringHill Suites Chicago a winner of its “Best Value for Money” Award for 2012. The main basis of the award is evaluations the hotels has received over the past 12 months from customers subsequent to their stays.

“We pride ourselves on providing the best value to all of our guests.  SpringHill Suites has defined itself as a brand that features style and space at a great value. It’s rewarding when our guests recognize our efforts to provide this outstanding product for them to relax and make their travel more enjoyable,” said Stephen Schwartz, chairman and CEO of First Hospitality Group, Inc.

Congratulations SpringHill Suites Chicago O’Hare and thank you for the inspiration.

Connect with nina.herrera-davila@marriott.com

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Best Employer Brand Awarded to Marriott International at ERE Recruiting Excellence Awards

Marriott named Best Employer Brand following its recent re-branding work with Evviva Brands

Marriott International has received the Best Employer Brand award at the ERE Expo, which seeks out new ideas and innovations amongst corporate recruiting professionals.  The award recognizes Marriott’s unique employment branding strategy, designed in partnership with Evviva Brands, which includes Marriott’s “Find Your World” brand line, the Facebook game “My Marriott Hotel” and a blog for university students.

“I’m so proud of the work that my employer brand team has done in partnership with our consumer brand teams and Evviva to help attract talent to careers in hospitality and introduce Marriott into far-reaching, emerging markets via social media platforms,” said Francisca Martinez, Vice President of Talent Acquisition, who accepted the award on behalf of Marriott.

“Marriott is a fantastic company to work with. They see their employer brand as critical to their future success and it’s exciting to see the work get the recognition it deserves,” added Dr. David Kippen, CEO and Chief Strategist at Evviva Brands.

To play the ‘My Marriott Hotel’ Facebook game for yourself, and see how Marriott leveraged the benefits of social media to encourage talent acquisition, click here.

Notes to editors:

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.  There are approximately 300,0000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

About Evviva Brands - Evviva Brands is an international team of employee engagement, brand and communications specialists - helping major companies build their reputations in order to attract and retain good people.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices globally, the consultancy provides creative solutions to critical staffing challenges, in both developed and emerging geographical markets. Evviva has significant experience in advising on national and cultural differences that effect employment attitudes across the globe.

Dr David Kippen, CEO, is an acknowledged authority and frequent lecturer on employer brand strategy and has worked with businesses ranging from Bain & Company, Coca-Cola and Microsoft in the United States to E.ON in Europe and Marriott International across many markets.

About ERE - ERE was created in 1998 as an online gathering place for recruiters. It was a needed destination where they could network, share best practices, and learn from each other.

More than a decade later, ERE Media has become the go-to source for information and conferences in the human resources and recruiting industries. We have built our publications and conferences around four core brands and audiences to cater to their specific needs.

ERE is the flagship publication and conference of ERE Media, designed to deliver need-to-know information to corporate recruiting professionals. It has steadily grown into the must-read publication and must-attend conference for corporate recruiting. ERE provides a blog, daily email newsletter, community, webinars, and job board. We also host both the twice-a-year ERE Expo and Recruiting Innovation Summits.

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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Marriott International Opens Doors for Hourly Workers

For the third consecutive year, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has been named to Working Mother’s annual list of “Best Companies for Hourly Workers.”  Marriott was one of 12 companies named to this list which recognizes companies for having strong work-life cultures and best policies and programs for promoting women.  To see what the magazine specifically said about Marriott, visit http://www.workingmother.com/best-companies/marriott-international-9.

“We are extremely proud to be named to this select list focused on hourly workers.  Today, hourly employees make up more than 80 percent of the total workforce of 300,000 at our managed and franchised hotels worldwide.  They are truly the heart and soul of the company,” said David Rodriguez, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “We are devoted to opening doors to opportunity for our hourly employees in much the same manner as they are devoted to providing exceptional experiences to our hotel guests every day.”
 
To support the company’s plans to add 30,000 rooms in 2012, Marriott expects to hire 60,000 employees this year alone.   

Marriott offers special benefits that support hourly associates.  These include training and promotion of hourly workers (more than 3,000 managers began their careers at Marriott in hourly positions, in addition, thousands more moved laterally, gaining new career experiences); innovation in workplace flexibility and scheduling practices; and multiple programs to help hourly associates gain skills that they say have made an incredible impact in their work and personal lives. 

[Pictured: Nona Davis, payroll specialist at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va., is a perfect example of the promotion of hourly workers.  Davis started out at Marriott as a housekeeper at the Twin Bridges Marriott.  When management recognized her leadership abilities, she was quickly promoted to housekeeping supervisor at the Crystal City Marriott.  Her incredible dedication to assist colleagues and guests soon inspired managers to offer her an opportunity in Human Resources.]
 
The survey, conducted by the Working Mother Research Institute, found that women at the winning companies earned 56% of all promotions from hourly non-manager to non-exempt manager positions. One hundred percent of the companies named to the list offered their hourly workers personal and family health insurance benefits.

Jennifer Owens, editorial director of Working Mother Media, says, “This year’s Best Companies exemplify best-practices workplaces and cultures to help female hourly workers thrive. Most of the companies use the 70-20-10 rule: Focus 70% of your time on getting on-the-job experience, 20% on developing internal relationships and networks and 10% on formal training.”

Marriott will be recognized in May at a special awards ceremony called the “National Conference Supporting Hourly Workers 2012,” held at The Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC hotel.  

For a summary of Marriott awards and recognition, including Marriott’s ranking on Working Mother’s Hall of Fame, and the “World’s Best Multinational Workplaces” by Great Place to Work® Institute, visit Awards and Recognition.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. 

Connect with elizabeth.mcglasson@marriott.com

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Marriott Recognized for Supporting Women-Owned Businesses

Marriott International was recently honored by The Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO) as an "Outstanding Corporation" for creating access for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) to private-sector opportunities.  The award is given to one New York-based and one Washington, D.C.-based WPEO Corporate Sponsor that has contributed to the WPEO, has supported other women in business and has developed innovative resources and initiatives for supplier diversity.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) also recently announced Marriott as one of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises.  This award is the only national award honoring corporations for world class programs that level the playing field for women’s business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate business.  Marriott was recognized for developing and driving innovative best practices that result in productive business partnerships with women entrepreneurs and valuable products and services for its customers.  For more information on Marriott's diversity and inclusion efforts, visit www.marriott.com/diversity.

[Image:  Philip Devliegher (r), Director - Global Supplier Diversity for Marriott accepts award from WPEO executives.]

Connect with felicia.mclemore@marriott.com

 

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