A visit to Marriott Head Office

By Frank Vismeg

I recently attended Marriott International’s three-day Executive Orientation, which provides a holistic overview of Marriott’s brands, disciplines, programs, standards and tools to first-time new franchise owners, franchise management company representatives and general managers. 

From left: Kenan Uzun, senior manager, Hotel Opening and Transition, Marriott International; Liam Brown; and author Frank Vismeg.

Liam Brown, president, North America Select & Extended Stay Lodging & Owner Franchise Services at Marriott International, welcomed and introduced us. We also had the pleasure of meeting and hearing from the Marriott International executive team. 

The program is designed to build awareness and understanding of Marriott’s strategic direction, insight into the tools and resources available, and an opportunity to meet key contacts and build relationships within Marriott Hotels Family. 



Executive Orientation is a three-day program, hosted at Marriott’s corporate headquarters in Bethesda, Md. Experts from disciplines across the company present the latest information on their areas and take questions and feedback from the audience. Topics covered include:  brand strategy, initiatives, marketing plans and programs; Marriott culture, history and core values; sales, marketing and revenue management, and much more.

From left: Deborah Marriott Harrison; Frank Vismeg; Sonia Radunovic, director of operations and event consultant, Burlington Convention Centre and The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Burlington; and Sandra Stewart-Fearnside, director of hotel operations, Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd. and general manager of The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Burlington.

We had the privilege of meeting and hearing from Deborah Marriott Harrison, Marriott International’s Global Officer, Marriott Culture and Business Councils.
 
In this role, which she has held since October 2013, she oversees the strategy for the company’s 100 Worldwide Business Councils and works with Marriott associates, owners and franchisees to promote and protect Marriott’s culture and legacy – one of the company’s key competitive advantages. She is a member of the board of directors of Marriott International and serves on the board of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities.

From left: Sonia Radunovic, Liam Brown, Sandra Stewart-Fearnside, and Frank Vismeg.

Frank Vismeg is managing director of Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd., Burlington Hotels Group Inc. & The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, coming soon to Burlington, Ontario.