A Valentine to the Heart of the House

Valentine's Day is when the world pauses to celebrate the power of love – usually the romantic kind. This?Valentine's Day (with apologies to my wife!), I want to talk about a different kind of love – the love I feel for the hundreds of thousands of people who are the heart of Marriott.

For as long as I can remember, Marriott, the company, has been a part of the family so to speak. Dinners at my house growing up were certainly spent talking about school projects and sports feats – but there was also a healthy dose of company talk with my Dad using the opportunity to both educate and inspire his children. It worked!

I still remember my first job at the company as a dishwasher in the kitchen at the Bethesda Marriott. I had heard for years from my Dad about the "heart of the house" in our hotels – not a place, but the associates who bring the hotel to life. In my first job in the kitchen, I learned all sorts of skills, but more importantly, I was embraced by the heart of the house. I experienced first-hand the magic of our culture, what it means to be a part of a team – the fun, camaraderie, and sense of accomplishment that comes from working together. It's a feeling that has stayed with me as I continued my career at Marriott.

Today, I have the privilege of chairing the Board of Directors of the company my grandparents founded and my father expanded so significantly. There is so much that I love about our company and the hospitality industry – but this?valentine?is being sent to all the associates who wear a Marriott name badge at our nearly 8,800 properties in 139 countries and territories. You are the heart of our house, and we love you and thank you for all you do!