Marriott on the Move

When you boil it down to the basics, the hotel business is about service. From the greeting you get as you walk in the front door, to the furniture and amenities in your guest room, to how quickly we deliver room service. I know that's how we're judged. If a problem comes up, you want us to fix it, and fast.

If we don't meet your expectations, you can go to one of our competitors. If we meet or exceed your expectations, then hopefully we'll earn your loyalty and you'll come back.

Just recently, the University of Michigan released . . .

It was my father who coined the phrase, "Take care of the associates, and they'll take good care of the guests, and the guests will come back." Most people might think that only means customer service, but it really is the mindset of how we do business. Let's talk about safety and security.

We know that feeling safe and secure at hotels is a major priority for those of us who travel. We all take it very seriously. Marriott was recently recognized as having "world class status" when it comes to safety and security. That's because we . . .

As Albert Einstein once said, "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." As much as I love my job with Marriott, what gives me great pleasure is knowing what we can do for our communities around the world.

Tonight, here in Washington, I'll be attending the annual fundraising gala for Bridges-from school to work. It's a program operated by the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities. My brother Richard is the foundation's chairman. Bridges trains young people in the U.S. with physical and mental challenges to . . .

This is a special week for us here at Marriott. At our headquarters here in Bethesda, Maryland, we're honoring ten of our most outstanding associates with the Marriott Award of Excellence. They come from all four corners of the world, so they're really excited to come to Washington and see where the company's based. And an extra special gala will be held in their honor when they are presented their awards.

Each of the associates has a commitment to excellence, to teamwork, and to the "spirit to serve." And each one has a really unique story to tell.

Let me tell you a little bit about . . .