TORONTO, May 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The legendary Bill Marriott of Marriott International was the keynote speaker yesterday at the 19th annual Canadian Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC). Over 500 delegates from across the country took part in the event in downtown Toronto to gain insight into the trends that will affect investments in hotels in the coming year. Mr. Marriott was interviewed by his daughter Debbie Harrison about his storied career, the principles of business success and future plans.
"We have a long association with this beautiful country. I had my honeymoon in Banff," said Mr. Marriott who began with 365 rooms in 1957 and will have expanded to a million rooms open or under development by the end of this year. Mr. Marriott described building the company from a root beer stand to a global hospitality company. "At the heart of the matter is take good care of your people and listen to them, encourage them to talk, include them and make them part of the program. That's been our guiding principle for almost 88 years now."
Delegates and top industry leaders spent the day discussing an ever-evolving Canadian hotel landscape and upcoming trends, including providing service to millennials and next generation travellers. "They are really changing the landscape in this country. They're changing the way we all do business," said Mr. Marriott in describing how Marriott International is integrating younger generations into the company's future plans.
"We were pleased to have Mr. Marriott here to offer such compelling insight about the hotel and resort industry," said Orie Berlasso, Conference Producer and Managing Director of CHIC. Big Picture Conferences produces the event in association with CBRE Hotels, Colliers International Hotels and HLT Advisory Inc.. The annual event attracts stakeholders from Canada's $16.7 billion lodging industry representing 8,500 hotels, motels and resorts.
Industry professionals will have the opportunity to hear from their colleagues and other influential voices again on Oct. 19-20 in Vancouver at the Western Canadian Hotel and Resort Investment Conference.
About Big Picture Conferences
Big Picture Conferences is dedicated to the production of conferences and networking events for the Canadian hospitality industry. Big Picture Conferences delivers turnkey events by developing program content, organizing quality speakers, coordinating marketing services while managing venue arrangements, registrations and finances. Big Picture Conferences 'must attend' events include: the Hotel Association of Canada's National Conference, Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, Hotel Capital Connection and the Western Canadian Hotel and Resort Investment Conference.
About Marriott International, Inc.
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 www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
SOURCE Big Picture Conferences Inc
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