Marriott International supports diversity and inclusion during Straight for Equality Gala at The New York Marriott Marquis

Bethesda, Md., 2016-Apr-06 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) continues to demonstrate its commitment to diversity and inclusion during the Straight for Equality Gala recently hosted by the national chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) at The New York Marriott Marquis.

This year’s reception recognized allies that showed their dedication in moving equality forward through their work. In 2015, Marriott was awarded the PFLAG Corporation of the Year.  This year, Ed French, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, presented Wells Fargo with the PFLAG Company of the Year award for their efforts in fostering equality in the workplace. Other honorees included Emmy® and Tony Award® winning actress and singer, Kristen Chenoweth and Wake Forest University’s Maya Angelou Presidential Chair, Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry. Wanda Bryant Hope, Chief Diversity Officer of Johnson & Johnson and Apoorva Gandhi, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs at Marriott International were co-chairs of the gala.

Marriott has consistently championed diversity and inclusion. The company has been recognized for its talent development programs in the past and has landed on several “Best Places to Work” lists. Previous awards include LATINA Style Company of the Year, National Association for Female Executives Top 10 Companies for Executive Women, DiversityInc Top 50 Companies, 100 percent score on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and World’s Best Multinational Workplaces as named by Great Place to Work®.  For more information on Marriott’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, please visit www.marriott.com/diversity.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari®, 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 Moxy Hotels®. 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 comprise nearly 55 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.

Connect with Colleen.Antonio@marriott.com

###

(L-R) Apoorva Gandhi, Rosie O’Donnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Melissa Harris-Perry, Janet Mock and Jody M. Huckaby attend PFLAG National’s eighth annual Straight for Equality awards gala at Marriot Marquis on April 4, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for PFLAG National)