A SALUTE TO THE 100TH HOTEL OF THE JW MARRIOTT BRAND February 3, 2021 My father and I at the first JW Marriott hotel in Washington, D.C., in 1984. We’re celebrating a big milestone this month – the opening of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. It’s the 100th hotel of the JW Marriott brand. Atrium at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street What a growth story. I remember when we opened the first JW Marriott in 1984, in honor of my father, JW Marriott, who founded the company with my mother Alice Marriott. That first JW Marriott Hotel opened in Washington, D.C. on 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue – the same street where we started the company as an A&W root beer stand in 1927. It was a total surprise to my dad, who had no idea we were planning a new luxury brand in his honor. For that first hotel dedication, we lined up personal video tributes to him from Bob Hope, Billy Graham, President Gerald Ford and so many others. He was nearly speechless. More importantly to him, though, we presented him with a 242-foot-long card containing the signatures and well wishes of thousands of Marriott associates. It was a beautiful moment for a man from a simpler time. He was born at the turn of the last century, September 1900, and even at a young age, he was using his entrepreneurial skills to sell rabbits and chickens. My dad passed away in 1985, but his incredible legacy lives on – through the company and his namesake brand. Best wishes to the team in Tampa as you open your doors. I know my father would be humbled and delighted. I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move. Comments (0) COVID-19 CAN’T QUARANTINE THE HUMAN SPIRIT December 15, 2020 Volunteers from Manila Marriott Hotel in the Philippines prepare personal protective equipment kits during 2020. As we wind down 2020, much of the world’s focus is on the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. This has certainly been a year for the history books. A number of our associates and their families... SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE October 28, 2020 J. Willard Marriott (left) with future business partner Hugh Colton circa 1920. 2020 has been an unbelievably challenging year for the travel industry. We were forced to close hundreds of hotels around the world, shut down our corporate headquarters and postpone weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversary parties and so many other... THE SILVER LINING OF COVID-19 October 8, 2020 Me with my great grandson on September 17th, his 7th birthday and what would have been my father’s 120th birthday! With the pandemic closing schools, this is the first time we were able to celebrate his September birthday together. We’re entering the final few months of one of the most... HELPING EACH OTHER THROUGH THE STORM March 25, 2020 Associates at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Gaylord, Michigan, packed free lunches for the local community. As I turn 88 years old today, my thoughts have dwelled, of course, on the global pandemic that has severely impacted our world and our company, resulting in quarantines and illness for... THE CHALLENGE OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR CAKE December 17, 2019 Donna and me with the kids, before David was born, in 1964. I’ve worked in the hotel business for more than 60 years and I’ve been passionate about it from day one. While many other professionals enjoy a round of golf or a trip to a professional football game every... LEADERSHIP, NEGOTIATION AND MEAT LOAF: ONE ENSIGN’S VETERANS DAY MEMORIES November 11, 2019 I had the privilege and honor to serve in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from the University of Utah in 1954. I was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in June 1954. I was assigned to the U.S.S. Randolph aircraft carrier and given the job of wardroom... INTRODUCING “BILL MARRIOTT: SUCCESS IS NEVER FINAL” September 9, 2019 Over the next few months, I will share life lessons from my new biography, “Bill Marriott: Success Is Never Final.” When journalist and New York Times best-selling author Dale Van Atta approached me a few years ago about writing a biography exploring the lessons learned from my life story, I... TAKE A SPIN ON NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER DAY August 16, 2019 In 1976, we opened a pair of amusement parks called Great America, in Santa Clara, California, and Gurnee, Illinois. In our quest to be the world’s favorite travel company, Marriott International has dabbled in a variety of businesses over the years, from airline catering to cruise ships to a number... RAISING A MUG ON NATIONAL ROOT BEER FLOAT DAY August 6, 2019 One of my family's Hot Shoppes locations from the late 1930s. Happy National Root Beer Float Day! It’s no secret I love root beer. I love ice cream, too. They taste good together and they’re so closely tied to Marriott International’s history. My parents started their company as an A&W... 50 YEARS AGO, WE OPENED OUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL June 19, 2019 The Paraiso del Pacifico was Marriott International's first hotel outside of the United States. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Marriott International opening its first hotel outside of the U.S. Back in 1969, we operated ten properties in the U.S We were also catering for airlines. And the Hot... 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