Marriott International Introduces New Content On Digital Platform For Meetings & Events
Marriott International, based in Bethesda, Maryland, has launched new digital content to support meeting planners amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. This initiative, part of the Commitment to Clean, includes enhanced sanitation guidelines, operational training, and technology integration. Key adjustments for meetings include mandatory face coverings, reduced seating capacities, and frequent cleaning. Marriott aims to foster confidence in hosting events through comprehensive resources available at MarriottBonvoyEvents.com, ensuring safety and quality standards are met in its extensive portfolio of over 7,400 properties.
- Introduction of enhanced sanitation guidelines and operational training for associates.
- Launch of digital resources for meeting planners, including an informational video and best practices.
- Commitment to maintaining a clean and safe environment for guests and associates.
- Reduced seating capacities may limit revenue potential from larger events.
- Increased operational costs associated with enhanced cleaning and safety measures.
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the announcement of Marriott International's Commitment to Clean and Global Cleanliness Council, Marriott has introduced digital content about redefined processes and reimagined spaces guided by cleanliness experts and best practices to help hosts, organizers and attendees plan and execute meetings and connect with confidence.
Recognized as an industry leader for quality and exacting standards for over 93 years, Marriott is introducing changes which include enhanced sanitation guidelines, new operational training for associates, and increased use of conference technologies to ensure that customers are able to come together when they are ready. Meeting planners may now reference a series of new materials including an informational video, customer stories and resources that provide additional context and information for designing successful events in the current environment. Available today on MarriottBonvoyEvents.com, these tools illustrate Marriott's approach to delivering high-quality meeting experiences across its full portfolio of hotels and resorts.
"Our Commitment to Clean is guiding everything from how we keep our guests and associates safe to how we begin to welcome back event and meetings business," said Ray Bennett, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations, Marriott International and Chair of the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council. "Our Global Cleanliness Council is working with us to tackle the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and what that means for an event or meeting at a hotel. Having experts in the area of hygiene, food safety, infectious disease, and infection prevention has been enormously beneficial in helping us think through everything we can do to support organizations as they begin to envision, plan and execute future meetings and events of all sizes."
The Planning Process
The primary focus of the hotel events teams is to help our planners understand what a meeting in today's environment will look like and ensure they can do their jobs swiftly and easily with events designed to serve their meeting objectives. From planning through contracting, the hotel teams consult with clients to review new practices including social distancing of attendees, and enhanced offerings such as virtual/hybrid meetings, contactless registration, and catering solutions. The Marriott Bonvoy Events' portal houses best practices, testimonials, and visuals of actual meetings to bring the experience to life for the experts pulling the meetings together.
The Marriott Bonvoy Events team has created a series of physically distant floor plans that enable event planners to visualize room configurations that allow for socially distant gatherings while still supporting the meeting's purpose and goals. Consultations, pre-convention meetings and site tours can all be conducted virtually and adapted to include hygiene and safety briefings.
Meeting & Events
Attendees can anticipate the following adjustments during meetings and events at Marriott properties:
- Across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International requires all associates wear a face covering as a part of their uniform.
- Across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International requires all guests to wear a face covering.
- Seating capacities have been reduced according to local laws and government regulations specific to each market, and where possible, outdoor spaces will be utilized.
- Frequent and more in-depth cleaning is conducted to disinfect meeting spaces and high-touch areas such as elevator buttons, doorknobs, and handrails as often as every hour.
- Hand sanitizer stations are provided throughout meeting spaces.
Meals & Breaks
Redesigned food and beverage experiences follow recommended standards of service and food safety. Both meals and breaks are set in dedicated, socially distanced spaces reserved for a specific event and its attendees, to prevent co-mingling with other groups. Catering menus are also being adjusted to include a wide range selection tailored to group size, including new options for individually pre-packaged meals, canned and bottled beverages, and plated service. Buffets will also be modified to include servers, shields, hand sanitization and queue management. Hotels are also leveraging technology and digital solutions to create contactless service where appropriate, such as the use of QR codes and digital menus. Non-essential items, such as linens, pre-set plates and glassware, and décor will also be removed.
"Marriott International continues to work in collaboration with industry organizations, such as the Events Industry Council, to find ways to instill trust and confidence in meetings and events," said Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales Organization for Marriott International. "We look forward to welcoming back customers and guests for the exceptional experiences that our company is known for in a safe and clean environment. Cleanliness and service has always been our hallmarks and now those deep convictions are more important than ever."
Marriott International is, as always, committed to providing the best possible meeting and event experience across its wide range of accommodations and venues, while addressing the unique concerns of this time. For more information and resources related to Marriott International's enhanced meeting and event offerings, visit www.marriottbonvoyevents.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,400 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 135 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
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