BETHESDA, Maryland -- Through Marriott’s Spirit to Preserve program, the company announced today it is rolling out “Green Events” at all Continental Europe JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott Hotels. The largest hotel industry initiative of its kind, this program builds on Marriott’s aggressive environmental strategy, applying the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle to all events and meetings in Continental Europe, making them more eco-friendly and helping guests and meeting planners reduce their environmental impact. Last year, Marriott hotels throughout the United States began to offer green meetings and it has been so well received that it is now being rolled out internationally beginning in Europe.
The “Green Events” concept is being unveiled today at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel today in conjunction with IMEX, the worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel. Meeting and event planners will have the chance to take a look at the new standard products and services for all meetings that include:
* 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified writing pads, flipcharts and stationary items
* Bic Ecolutions® pens made from recycled content and biodegradable (Marriott purchases 47 million pens per year)
* Environmentally-friendly presentation materials
* Access to recycling containers in or near meeting rooms
* Water service featuring seasonal flavors served in large recyclable bottles or pitchers
* Paperless event proposals, contracting and billing (where legally possible)
* Fresh seasonal fruit and produce
* Bulk candy in glass jars rather than packaged
* Glass or wooden, linen-less tables used for all pre-function and meeting areas
* Use of energy-efficient audio-visual equipment
As an added value, hotels can also choose to offer services and products including digital signage, fair trade coffee, nametag collection bins and tickets for public transportation.
"Marriott is already recognized as an industry leader in sustainable hotel operations, and has a proven track record as one of the largest and most professional host of events and meetings. We are responding to the demand of our customers, who are increasingly asking for greener meetings. By offering “Green Events” throughout our hotels we feel we can make a big step to reduce our footprint on the environment while continuously delivering the high level of service our event planners expect from Marriott,” said Frank Zehle, vice president of brand marketing and leader of Marriott’s Green Council in Continental Europe.
A key centerpiece of Marriott International’s environmental strategy is helping protect 1.4 million acres (589,000 hectares) of endangered rainforest in the Juma Sustainable Development Reserve in partnership with the state of Amazonas in Brazil. Through this pioneering effort, Marriott has committed $2 million to this rainforest fund, and now invite guests to “Green Their Hotel Stay” by making contributions. As an additional way to make meetings even greener, meeting planners can now calculate their event’s carbon offset at www.conservation.org and then visit http://www.marriott.com/green-brazilian-rainforest.mi to donate and offset it.
To book a meeting at one of Marriott’s 95 hotels throughout Continental Europe, contact your local Marriott salesperson or visit www.eventsbymarriott.eu
Working with Conservation International, a global environmental organization, Marriott has developed a five-point “green” strategy that includes: (1) carbon offsets through the protection of rainforest; (2) further reducing fuel and water consumption by 25 percent per available room over the next 10 years, and installing solar power at up to 40 hotels by 2017; (3) engaging Marriott’s top 40 vendors to supply price-neutral green products across its $10 billion supply chain; (4) empowering development partners to site, design and construct new hotels in line with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards by the end of 2009; and (5) educating and inspiring employees and guests to support the environment through their everyday actions at home, while at work and on travel.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,200 lodging properties in 66 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and had approximately 146,000 employees at 2008 year-end. It is recognized by BusinessWeek as one of the 100 best global brands, by FORTUNE® as one of the best companies to work for, and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2008, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com. For an interactive online version of Marriott's 2008 Annual Report, which includes a short video message from Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr., visit www.marriott.com/investor.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Caminiti
elizabeth.caminiti@marriott.com