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A visit to Marriott Head Office

BETHESDA, Md. — Veteran hotelier Frank Vismeg provides a first-hand look and some photos from Marriott International's three-day Executive Orientation program, held at the company's headquarters in Bethesda, Md.

March 23rd, 2018

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.