Marriott on the Move

I was out in Los Angeles recently to check out the progress of the L.A. Live project - a brand new commercial and residential center revitalizing downtown L.A. When it opens in 2010, it will include two of our top brands - a JW Marriott and a Ritz-Carlton. Also, a Ritz-Carlton Residences. It's stunning and I'm betting it will be a great success both for Los Angeles and for Marriott.

I'm glad I was there. Particularly given all the gloomy financial and economic news around these days, it was important to make the point that when we come out of these tough times, we'll be ready. That's not going to happen overnight, but it's going to happen. I'm confident that the actions of the political and financial leaders in Washington and globally are going to help the financial markets tremendously.

But unfortunately, even if the financial markets are calmed, there's been enough impact to . . .

Since I spent my boyhood years growing up during the Second World War, I've always been fascinated with its history. I was living in Washington, D.C., at the time, and I was exposed to a lot of the military people coming and going, and to a lot of wonderful parades of returning war heroes.

My search for history has led me to George Arrington's bookstore in Ogunquit, Maine. I've found some fascinating old books, many written in first person by the men who fought in World War II. This past summer, I plowed through the war memories of Field Marshall Erich Von Manstein, who was labeled Germany's most brilliant general. Since I've come to believe that military leadership can offer many lessons to help anyone who is trying to lead a group of people in business, politics or any other organization, I found these memories very instructive.

Von Manstein spent 18 months commanding a large army group on the Russian front . . .

It has been a very difficult few days since a truck bomb detonated in front of our Islamabad Marriott hotel in Pakistan. Many lives were lost and many more were injured. As you may have heard by now, the entire security team on the ground at the entrance to the hotel was killed in the attack. These brave men were simply doing their jobs and gave their lives in an effort to protect the guests at their hotel, as well as their fellow associates. They will forever be remembered as heroes and I send my deepest condolences to their families and friends.

I would also like to thank you, the readers of my blog, for your outpouring of support and condolence. I truly appreciate each and every comment I've received, and I've read them all. Many of you have asked how you can help those affected by the attack and help their families. We have established the Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund. Marriott International and the Marriott Family Foundation are kicking it off by together donating $100,000. Your generosity is greatly appreciated during these very difficult times.

Many of your comments mirror my view . . .

I am very sad to report a terrible tragedy at our Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. At approximately 7:00 p.m. local time, a large truck pulled up to the security checkpoint of the heavily guarded hotel and exploded. The huge blast engulfed the front of the hotel and ruptured a gas line, which caused a large fire to break out.

The situation is still unfolding. Right now, we can't confirm the number of people who have died or have been injured, but news reports are numbering it in the dozens, most of them Marriott employees.

This senseless tragedy and the profound loss of life has left me greatly saddened. My heart goes out to those who've been injured and the families of the victims.

We put a very high premium on security at Marriott. In this case, I salute the bravery of the security personnel who were right there when the suicide bomber struck. They had stopped the truck just outside the fortified gate. They were examining it when the bomb detonated. Sadly each member of the team was killed. These guys were defending the lives of hotel guests and their fellow co-workers. They were killed in the line of their duty.

Currently, our associates who escaped serious injury are doing whatever they can to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The actions of these associates in Islamabad and their desire and willingness to help in a time of such tremendous tragedy are a true testament to Marriott's culture.

I want to thank everyone who has left comments of condolence on my blog.

The Internet and new media is playing a big role in the 2008 U.S. Presidential elections. Barack Obama has certainly taken it to new heights when he revealed his vice presidential running mate through text message.

John McCain has gotten some grief because he's not very comfortable using a computer, especially to communicate. I can certainly understand his reluctance as I'm a Neanderthal when it comes to technology.

But, based on my experience, I'd tell John McCain to become a blogger because launching a blog has proven to be very successful for me. I'm able to talk with . . .

Now that the 29th Olympic Games have come to a close, I've been thinking back to all the memorable moments over the past few weeks. There were a lot of surprise victories, many upsets and many world records.

To me, and I'm sure to many of you, these Olympics will be remembered because of Michael Phelps and his eight gold medals in swimming, making his total career gold medal count 14 - more than any other Olympian.

I find Michael Phelps' journey very inspiring. Not only does he have . . .