Marriott Becomes Corporate Founding Partner of HHOA
WASHINGTON, DC, February 1, 2007. Officials of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA) announced Marriott International, Inc (NYSE:MAR) as a Corporate Founding Partner and that the HHOA was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Washington-based hotel leader to support new initiatives and programs.
As a Corporate Founding Partner, Marriott will play an integral part in a new program designed to communicate the advantages and benefits of hotel ownership to the Hispanic community. Marriott also will have a role in the organization's 2007 inaugural national conference later this year.
"The response to and support of the formation of HHOA from Marriott and the hotel community has been very gratifying," said Omar Rodriguez, chairman of the HHOA and president of Rodriguez & Associates, a hotel development, architectural and design firm. "Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States are growing three times faster than the national average for all firms and generating more than $220 billion in annual revenue, which makes them a highly attractive candidate for hotel investment. With Marriott's support, we intend to become a catalyst for bringing the Latino and hospitality communities together for the benefit of both."
"As an industry leader, we are continuously identifying opportunities to diversify our ownership base and we wholeheartedly support the concept behind HHOA," said Norman K. Jenkins, senior vice president, North American Lodging Development, Marriott International. "This is an excellent vehicle for Marriott to expand its growing relationship with the Hispanic community, including developers and suppliers. There are nearly 30,000 Hispanic businesses each generating at least $1 million in annual revenues, with three out of 10 of those companies involved in construction, so we are very much interested in this emerging market. We look forward to building a mutually rewarding relationship with HHOA."
Marriott International, Inc. has a long-standing history and commitment to diversity. The company has been recognized for its initiatives with supplier diversity, human resources and hotel ownership by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as well as Latina Style, Hispanic Business, and DiversityInc magazines.
About HHOA
Headquartered in Washington, D.C, HHOA is a newly formed non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of Hispanic owned, developed and operated hotels, further the participation of Hispanic owned suppliers serving the hotel industry and increase executive level employment opportunities within the lodging industry. Additional information is available at the association's Web site www.hhoa.org.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
