At MetLife Stadium Today, We’ll Laugh, Hug and Cry

After a year of virtual holidays, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions, most of us can’t wait to hug, laugh and cry together with our loved ones. Togetherness is part of our humanity and we need it. 

Today, I am delighted that Marriott Bonvoy is doing its part to bring close families and friends who’ve spent a long year apart. Together with CLEAR – the secure identity company – and United Airlines, we’re calling it “A Day of Families.” We have invited 34 fully vaccinated senior citizens to travel from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium for their first in-person reunions since the pandemic began.

These seniors will reunite with nearly 100 family members – children, grandchildren, siblings and more – and will be socially distant on the MetLife field with individual picnic setups. They’ll be treated to entertainment by cast members from Hamilton during lunch and fun programing hosted by Emmy and Tony award-winner Neil Patrick Harris.

CLEAR brought this idea to us earlier this year and we knew it was something we wanted to support. They found a wonderful and diverse group of seniors to participate, all of whom are active in their communities and have heartwarming stories to share. United gave the complementary flights, MetLife the venue and our Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel is the host hotel. Together, we wanted to celebrate a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic – fully vaccinated families can finally be together. This will truly be a once in a lifetime event and one of the largest mass reunions after a year of separation.

To be sure, we know the pandemic isn’t over, and safety remains our top priority. This event will be responsible; we will strictly adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. All attendees will be fully vaccinated and pre-tested for COVID-19 and the reunion will take place outside – which is exactly where the CDC has updated their guidance to allow for more interaction between vaccinated people.

I wish we could arrange this type of family reunion for millions around the world. We all need human touch.

I can’t help smiling today. I look forward to a time when we can all travel freely and spend special afternoons like this with our loved ones.