Celebrating Diversity One Hotel at a Time
;)
I'm blogging today from the Residence Inn National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. I'm here to celebrate the grand opening of this fabulous new hotel right outside of Washington, D.C. It is part of a new suburban Washington community called National Harbor. It's really a neat area with lots of restaurants and shops close by.
This hotel is a very important addition as it expands Marriott's diverse hotel ownership portfolio as it is owned by the African-American run company Integrated Capital from Los Angeles, California. Back in 2005, Marriott established the Diversity Ownership Initiative and we set a goal of having 500 minority- or women-owned hotels by 2010. To date, we have more than 400 already in operation, including this hotel, and we're well on our way to exceeding our goal.
The event today was really exciting. It was good to see so many people here - investors who've invested in hotels for the first time, people who are really excited about the product and excited about what they've created here on the banks of the Potomac River. It's a beautiful day in Washington, the Potomac River is blue, and when you see a blue Potomac River instead of the muddy Potomac River, you have to feel good.
I know our guests will enjoy all the comforts of home that this Residence Inn offers our guests when they're on the road for a long period of time or an extended stay. I'm thrilled to be here and excited about this new hotel.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
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Posted By: Sandra Angelo (10/1/2008)
Comment: By empowering people you help them change their world.
Having grown up in Africa, I find it exciting to see the Marriott embrace diversity.
Good service and good business bridge all races, colors and cultures. Way to go Marriott. An inclusive culture is win win for everyone.
Posted By: Apply food stamp (9/24/2008)
Comment: I wanted to research this subject and write a paper. Your post what a thousand words would not. Nice job.
Posted By: Anthony "Von" Mickle (9/21/2008)
Comment: Mr. Marriott:
I was there front and center as you gave your comments on the event. I was so moved by them that I went home and created a new chapter in a book that I'm writing. I just want to share a few lines of what I wrote as I would ask you to have one of your marketing/PR persons to contact me on reviewing and confirming the use of your name in the book. You are absolutely legendary and thank you much for a successful day. A brief line or two is listed below in my chapter entitled "The Hem of his Garment:What My Day is Supposed to Look Like"
"He realized that I wasn't a hotel owner but gave me equal conversation nevertheless by pointing out the who's who of the hotel business like the legendary J.W. Marriott himself. I had seen his face many times and had heard how tremendously wealthy he was but had never seen him in person. Mr. Marriott was an older gentleman. He was soft spoken but he commanded the attention of everyone in the room. As I watched him from up close and across the room, I believed even more in the American Dream. I thought here is a man that surely has decades more experience than I do and his wealth puts him on the list of the richest people ever to do business. Regardless of what it took for him to get there, I saw a human who put his pants on one leg at a time. He walked and talked just like me which made me believe even more that my dreams are more than possible. They were miniscule to the accomplishments he achieved which to me said your challenge, although isn't easy, is quite possible.
Mr. Marriott wasn't the only one however. The legendary creator of the National Harbor himself was there. Mr. Milton Peterson graced the floor and of all places, he stood in the back of the room. He never asked for any attention and if you didn't know who to look for you could have easily passed right by him. I thought to myself this is incredible that two of the wealthiest men in the Washington Region are standing within a few feet of me. I would not have even recognized Mr. Peterson if it hadn't been for Mr. Marriot's brief words acknowledging his presence."
Posted By: Ron Gordon (9/20/2008)
Comment:
Dear Mr Bill Marriott
I have written you before. I is an honnor to know you.
Ron
Posted By: Ms Marina Wee (9/19/2008)
Comment: Dear Bill, you have far exceeded in building the Marriot brand name e.g scale of operations (quality & quantity)and most importantly goodwill established with owners, guests and staff through your consistent direct personal involvement. You have done your parents proud. I would like to bring to your attention the World Travel Market 2008 event. Is the Marriot hotel chain participating? Enormous opportunities exist in China-MiddleEast-India and the volume available provides a fair amount tremendously required to be present of which players are all able to operate side-by-side together.:) Thanks Bill, for the pleasant reading of each article of Marriot on the Move.
Posted By: Dawn (9/19/2008)
Comment: thank you for sharing this story. I am very interested in this diversity owned program and will be researching for futher information on-line
Posted By: Bethany McNair (9/19/2008)
Comment: Congratulations to Kori and her team on a successful opening. I know they will make amazing contributions to the area and Marriott!
Posted By: Keith A. Ridley,IV (9/19/2008)
Comment: Mr.Marriott, I am humbled and continually thankful to learn of the great opportunities set forth by your company to empower others in business....
It is one more sincere reason since 1986 that I have been loyal to the Marriott Brand where ever I am in the world....
As an African-American I have always be keenly aware of the grade A path to a greater growth within the Marriott corporate family. I have visited this property and it is simply beautiful and the service is outstanding
