Facts as I see them concerning the Marriott Commission Issue (Marriott)

1. This was not a decision that Marriott made without quite a bit of thought and discussion

2. Marriott always will do what is in the perceived best interest of Marriott

3. As Marriott has gone transactional in most every way since the mid 2000's, this also will be handled in a very transactional manner

4. Based on the timing of this announcement, it is apparent that Marriott did not care about the needs or concerns of any of the third parties, including the big 4. Budgets were produced long ago and certainly there was no contingency plan in place to handle such an historic change in concept.

5. Marriott planned on backlash from the industry, however they didn't plan on the amount they have received.

6. Marriott expected the other chains to follow quickly behind them like little robots.

The facts as I see them concerning the Marriott commission Issue (Independent Planners)

1. Many of the major third party companies had anticipated Marriott to do this again as they had in 2001 with Ritz.

2. Most third parties are interested in relationship selling which Marriott is clearly not the player in this area.... Many of the other chains far surpass the Marriott in building and maintaining a relationship with their partners

3. The only way to show Marriott that they can bend is to be transactional and show them that Meeting Planners Unite is viable and that our numbers speak for themselves. Emotion will not get us anywhere. As with the big 4, we have to prove that we are the 5th major conglomerate.

4. Remember that Marriott does what is in the best interest of Marriott.

5. Reward those companies that believe in relationship selling and working with the industry for the betterment of the industry. What is good for the third party usually is good for the end user also.

6. Show the other chains that their decision to hold tight was the right decision by using them now and not wait until the 4/1 start date of the 7%