Celebrating Independence Day

J. W. "Bill" Marriott Jr. (ca. 1954) Today, as we come together with family and friends to celebrate our Nation’s independence, I find myself reflecting on the visionary leadership that was displayed during the Revolutionary War more than two centuries ago. Against almost impossible odds, George Washington led the Continental...

My Early Memorial Day

As we completed our annual shareholders meeting and I joined our senior leadership on the 12th floor patio of our JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington, 16 flights of WWII war birds flew by. They included P51’s, B24’s, B17’s, a B29, a Catalina Flying Boat and several navy fighters. It...

The Presidents Club

A Presidents Day Book Review "The Presidents Club" book was a wonderful insight in the behind-the-scenes events that took place during the presidencies of Truman through Obama. When I was young, the only president I knew about was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. When Truman succeeded Roosevelt, I was old enough to...

Monumental Hotel in the City of Monuments

Do you know why I love the hotel business? It’s all here in our 4,000 hotel, the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. There are more twists to this hotel story than the traffic circles from L'Enfant’s original city plan. It took 20 years to get it done, but it’s the end...

My Travel Turning Point

Listen to blog U.S.S. Randolph; I'm the officer on the left; Winston Churchill boarded Everyone loves a photo contest. I saw the theme of this one for TownePlace Suites and it struck a chord with me. TownePlace Suites asked travelers to submit a photo and a caption that describes how...

A "Bill to Bill" Meeting with President Clinton

Listen to blog One of the benefits of being an old guy and living in Washington, D.C., is that I have had the privilege of meeting almost every U.S. President since Eisenhower. Each is a remarkable leader in their own way, right for their times, endorsed through election by the...

Boston Strong

REFLECTIONS, RELIEF, RESPECT Boston’s most horrible and difficult week is finally over. Like most of you, I was following the events closely. I am deeply grateful to law enforcement and our Marriott security teams for keeping thousands of guests safe. Hotels become safe havens in times of crisis. Marathon runnners...

A Big Day for U.S. Tourism

"The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work.” -- President Obama, January 19, 2012 Listen to Blog This year 1 billion people are expected to travel outside their own countries to see and experience the world. And for every 35 of those international visitors,...

Making the Tough Call

Listen to blog I bought President Bush’s autobiography, Decision Points, a while ago and during some quiet time over the Fourth of July weekend had an opportunity to read it. It was obvious that President Bush wrote the book himself. It included many wonderful, personal stories about him, his courtship...

Opening America's Arms to Global Travelers

It’s been a busy few months in the realm of travel and tourism policy, so I wanted the chance to bring you up to speed on what’s going on, and I hope it will lead to measurable change in the way the United States welcomes overseas visitors. I’ve blogged about...