Charity Run This Year Marks The First Associate Event By Marriott International And Legacy Starwood Hotels & Resorts Since Completion Of Merger Transaction
More than 23,000 Supporters Came Together At Various Locations Across Asia Pacific
Gurgaon, 3rd November 2016 – Marriott International (Nasdaq: MAR) in Asia Pacific today announced that close to USD$270,000 was raised from Run to Give Hotel Charity Runs that took place on 16 October 2016 across Asia Pacific. Run to Give 2016 marks the first associate event where legacy Starwood and Marriott International came together to celebrate a meaningful cause since the announcement of the merger transaction completion in late September 2016.
“Run to Give this year is bigger and even more significant than ever,” said Craig S. Smith, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific for Marriott International. “Not only is the event a first for us since the completion of our merger transaction, it also further underscores our commitment to ensure that the increased presence of our hotels in terms of footprint and associate strength continue to drive positive sustainable social and economic impact in the communities which we operate. Run to Give echoes with the mission of Marriott International’s TakeCare movement, which we believe will lead the culture integration in the combined company; and reinforce our core values of putting people first.”
In January 2016, Marriott launched a “TakeCare” movement in Asia Pacific providing resources and opportunities for associates to stay physically and spiritually healthy with an ultimate goal of improving the wellbeing and happiness of associates, while making a difference in the communities that Marriott International operates in.
Run to Give is unique in each location and the events were organized by different Marriott International properties in various locations; some collaborating for the first time to organize such a large-scaled event. Funds raised in each location benefited a local charity for maximum local relevance and a broader impact with wider reach.
Initiated in 2014 by the legacy Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific under the ‘Starwood Cares’ umbrella as individual hotel charity runs, the inaugural event saw an overwhelming response of over 20,000 runners take part in 92 locations across Asia Pacific; raising a total of close to USD$228,000. In 2015, the run took on the official event name ‘Run to Give’ – chosen amongst close to 500 internal submission entries by Starwood Asia Pacific associates, best representing the spirit of the charity event.
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries. Marriott operates and franchises hotels. and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari Hotels and Resorts®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy Hotels®, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl