Poised To Come Out Of The Recession On Top
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
There’s no doubt that 2009 was a difficult year. But I’m optimistic as we begin the New Year that things will get better. While we’re still very concerned about unemployment and the ability of companies to borrow money, economic activity is picking up. For Marriott, the fourth quarter looked better than we expected outside North America, while things in the U.S. and Canada were also a little better. Leisure travelers are responding to the terrific values we’re...
What The Movie The Blind Side Meant To Me
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
My wife Donna and I went to the Saturday afternoon movies again and we saw The Blind Side. It's based on a true story of an NFL player, Michael Oher, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens here in Maryland where our headquarters is located. It was a wonderful film and conveyed a very important message. Michael was born to a mother who was addicted to drugs and was estranged from his father. He spent much of his childhood and teenage years in various foster homes with very little parental influence in...
Discussing Climate Change In Copenhagen
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP-15, opened in Copenhagen on December 7th. Fifteen thousand delegates are expected to attend, including 110 heads of state and government from 192 countries. Their objective is to establish a binding global climate agreement, to include as many countries as possible, to commit to a reduction in man-made greenhouse gases which have a negative effect on our climate. Our Copenhagen Marriott is hosting hundreds of delegates and we're honored...
Analysis Is The Key To Making Good Decisions
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
I recently read a book about General George Custer, famous for being annihilated in Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn before the turn of the 19th century. Custer was a somewhat impetuous, but brilliant, officer. At the age of 23, he was made a Brigadier General in the United States Army and was an important contributor to the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was always anxious to charge forward and get the job done. Many thought he was impetuous. When he and his group...
Being A Part Of D.c.'s Heritage
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
As many of you know, our company started out as a small, nine-stool A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C, more than 80 years ago. We quickly evolved into the restaurant business, opening a chain called Hot Shoppes. One of our very first Hot Shoppes was in the Columbia Heights neighborhood on 14th Street. The last Hot Shoppe closed its doors years ago, but the memory of that one on 14th Street is being commemorated as a site on the Heritage Trail of Washington, D.C. The Heritage Trail is...
Colombia: The Newest Stamp On My Passport
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
For as many years as I've been traveling, there is nothing like visiting a new country. My passport has stamps and visas for China, India, the UK, France, Spain, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and now, Colombia since we just opened our first hotel in Bogota. I had never been to Colombia before, but the political and economic climate is much improved for travel and tourism. Our new Marriott near the Bogota airport is owned by Ricardo Poma, who runs a family business a lot like ours. They hold...
Taking A Break On A Great Football Afternoon
BILL MARRIOTT - Tập Đoàn Khách Sạn Marriott International
During the contest for the College Football National Championship in January, I met University of Florida coach, Urban Meyer. I was so proud of the great result he achieved when he coached my alma mater, the University of Utah. I was anxious to meet him and thank him for all his Utah victories. He recently invited me to be his guest at the University of Florida's home opener game versus University of Tennessee in Gainesville, Florida. My son, David, and I attended the game. Steve Contos, our market...
