Marriott on the Move

Our company has joined the worldwide effort to save the Brazilian Amazon Rain Forest from the deforestation that contributes to climate change. It is something I have blogged about before. We have contributed money to build a middle school, a dormitory and a health clinic in the Juma Sustainable Development Rain Forest Reserve in Brazil. Two more schools are now being built. We're thrilled that some of our business partners have joined us in supporting this project, including the World Travel and Tourism Council - their president Jean-Claude Baumgarten recently visited the Reserve.

Our company's President and Chief Operating Officer Arne Sorenson is spearheading our efforts and recently passed along an email from a friend who visited Juma. In the email, the friend says, "-the people here are beginning to get a sense of self confidence that they are beginning to have a chance to create a meaningful life for themselves and their families."

We are working with the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation to support the employment, education and healthcare for the 3,000 people who live in Juma. Often the . . .

In the U.S., we're in the time of year called the "dog days of summer." Some say this is derived from the ancient Romans, who named the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation Sirius, or the "dog star," because during this time of year, Sirius rose and set with the sun in the northern sky. No matter its origin, even as many take a deserved break during these hot days of August, we're not sitting still here at Marriott.

As my father used to say, "Success is never final." It's a good thing to remember, because with all the economic and financial turmoil, and the stock market taking roller-coaster rides in recent months, sometimes it's easy to forget that patience and persistence pay off.

I recently received an inspiring letter from an 83-year-old Washington native, recounting how, back in 1952, she was advised to buy a few shares of our company, which was just going public. Back then it was . . .

All of you who read my blog know how much I love to share great service stories that I hear from guests. It always makes me happy to hear about great customer experiences because it means we're doing our job well and providing our guests with the best possible service.

But today, I want to change things a bit and tell you about a great service experience that I had. It happened a few weeks ago, when I had just returned to the office from being on the road for awhile. My first day back, I walked in to find a wonderful surprise on my desk - my favorite kind of Godiva chocolates - chocolate orange peels.

When my daughter and her husband were . . .

This past June, my grandson Andrew and I attended the Marine Corps parade at the Marine barracks here in Washington, D.C. It's the home of the commandant of the Corps, who lives in the oldest federal building in Washington, which was built in 1805. It's a great thrill to view the parade and watch the Marine Corps band and their drum and bugle corps pass in review together with the headquarters Marines in formation. I think it's the best event in Washington.

Before the parade, I took my grandson on a tour of the commandant's home. I showed him the portrait of General Vandergrift, who was the commandant of the Marine Corps at the end of World War II. But, more importantly, General Vandergrift led the Marines ashore at Guadalcanal and led them to victory in the first invasion of . . .