Marriott on the Move

Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and forever changed New Orleans.   It was a tragic event that will be remembered for years to come.   We all know there is still much to do, but New Orleans and its people are resilient and on their way back.

Today and tomorrow we’re honoring the city’s spirit of determination by rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. We call our efforts Spirit To Serve New Orleans. When the storm hit, we supported the city through the Red Cross and raised nearly six million dollars for a disaster relief fund to support Gulf Region and employees who were in need. Our company, its owners, franchisees, and vendors joined my family in contributing, and Marriott employees around the world provided cash and vacation time to help the New Orleans team.

Having served in the United States Navy from 1954 – 1956, I have a great deal of respect and fondness for those who have, or are currently serving in our military.  We often host many military groups in our hotels while they are on assignment or preparing to be deployed, and it is truly an honor to be the home away from home for these brave men and women.  A letter about one of these special groups came across my desk recently and I want to share their story with you.

This group has stayed at our Ventura Beach Marriott hotel for various assignments at the Ventura Beach Naval Station over the past 2 years.  The staff at the hotel grew very close to the members of this group, and when they received word that they were being deployed to Afghanistan, our associates hosted a going away party for them.  Before they left, our staff asked if there was anything else they could do, and the group did have one final request.  They asked if they could take the Marriott flag and fly it at their base to remember their home away from home.  We were honored.

It’s August 13, 2010, and I am standing on the front porch of our New Hampshire lakeside home.  It was on this spot 25 years ago to the day that my father, J. Willard Marriott, Sr., had a heart attack and passed away.

Almost all of my family and my brother Richard’s family were gathered for a family barbecue, or, in New Hampshire terms, a cookout.  We had wonderful cheeseburgers, potato salad and corn on the cob.  When the corn was passed, my dad looked at mine and said that his corn was fresh and juicy and mine looked old and dry.  He insisted on trading corn and giving me his ear.  Then he said, “What we need is better corn around here!”  Those were his final words to me.

This summer has been a real hot one, particularly here in Washington, D.C., where temperatures have run over 100 degrees on many occasions.  This is the time of year I try to get up to our family home in New Hampshire to get away from the heat and humidity of D.C.  One of my favorite ways to cool off during the summers when I was a boy was to go out and take a swim.  I really enjoyed swimming when I was in summer camp when I was 10 years old.

That’s why I’m so excited to announce that Marriott has signed on to be the official hotel sponsor of USA Swimming.  Swimmers are constantly traveling to compete in various meets throughout their season and we’re thrilled to be able to host them at nine of our brands when they’re on the road.