BETHESDA, Md., May 12, 2009 - In support of its environmental strategy
to address climate change, Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) has announced
that its global Headquarters building and more than 30 of its hotels in
design, development or under construction are expected to achieve LEED(R)
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Marriott was the first major hotel
company in the U.S. with a LEED certified hotel -- The Inn and Conference
Center by Marriott at the University of Maryland in College Park.
"LEED certification gives these hotels a 'green' stamp of approval that
our customers recognize and look for," says Arne Sorenson, Marriott's newly
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer and co-chair of the company's
Executive Green Council. "Saving energy and reducing waste saves money
and helps the environment -- it's good for business and a key part of our
growth strategy."
LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that
a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures.
LEED-certified buildings: reduce waste sent to landfills; conserve energy
and water; are healthier and safer for occupants; and reduce harmful greenhouse
gas emissions.
Scheduled for a July 2009 grand opening, the Fairfield Inn & Suites
Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor expects to achieve LEED-Silver status.
The hotel will offer a range of eco-friendly amenities, including eco-suites,
bicycle storage and changing rooms, and preferred parking for fuel-efficient
vehicles. The hotel's breakfast area features solar tracking skylights,
and the outdoor courtyard includes turf made of recycled tires and rainwater
cisterns (former brewing barrels from the site's original occupant, the
Baltimore Brewing Company).
Other Marriott LEED-certified hotels expected to open this year include:
The Ritz-Carlton Highlands Lake Tahoe in Truckee, Calif.; the Residence
Inn Arlington Courthouse in Va.; and Courtyard hotels in Chevy Chase, Md.,
Portland, Ore., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
In 2010, several other LEED-certified hotels are expected to open. These
include the Renaissance Crystal City Potomac Yards and the Residence Inn
Crystal City Potomac Yards in Arlington, Va.; the Atlanta Airport Marriott
Gateway; and the JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles and The Ritz-Carlton Los
Angeles, both part of the L.A. LIVE sports and entertainment destination.
The company is actively pursuing LEED-Existing Building status for its
global headquarters office in Bethesda, Md., by the end of the year. Actions
taken toward this goal include: diverting 64 percent of its total waste
(450,000 pounds) from the landfill; shifting to biodegradable disposable
containers in its cafeteria, and then ultimately migrating to all permanent-ware;
converting used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel; and providing Connect
by Hertz cars for employees who use public transportation or carpool to
get to the office, but need to run an errand or attend an off-site meeting
mid-day.
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"Connect by Hertz" Signs Marriott as First Corporate Customer
April 2009 - Connect by Hertz, Hertz�s global car sharing club, has
signed its first major corporate account � Marriott International.
Cars will be placed at Marriott�s Bethesda, MD headquarters providing its
more than 3,000 employees with an environmentally friendly, economical
alternative to car ownership and a solution for short-term transportation
needs. The effort underscores Hertz�s commitment to aggressively
expand its car sharing club which was launched in December.
Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hertz, said,
"Car sharing is another good way for corporations to manage business travel
in an efficient and environmentally-friendly manner. The partnership
between Marriott and Connect by Hertz enables Marriott, a long-time Hertz
partner, to create a new, cost-effective travel option for its headquarter
employees. We believe many corporations can realize significant
savings and benefits by adding a car sharing option to their business travel
portfolio."
�At Marriott International, part of our Spirit To Preserve� strategy
is to engage our employees and guests to support the environment through
their everyday actions at home, at work and on travel,� says Arne Sorenson,
Chief Financial Officer of Marriott International and co-chair of the company�s
Executive Green Council. �If our headquarters employees have access
to Connect by Hertz cars to run errands or attend offsite meetings mid-day,
we believe they�ll be more likely to carpool, bicycle and take public transportation
to and from work. Based on this program�s success, we will review
making it available at our hotels throughout the world.�
Four EPA SmartWay® certified cars have been placed at Marriott�s
headquarters and will be available for use 24/7. Cars are available
to all employee members of Connect by Hertz with gas, maintenance, insurance
and parking included in the low, hourly rate (starting at $8.50 per hour).
Hertz was selected by Marriott for its advanced technology, solid
infrastructure and quality vehicles and Hertz�s history of providing superior
customer service. Marriott and Hertz are also allowing membership
and vehicle usage by other businesses located near the Marriott headquarters
as well as local-area Bethesda residents.
Connect by Hertz offers businesses an economical, convenient and socially
conscious alternative to fleet ownership. Connect by Hertz helps
promote public transportation usage and car pooling, reducing congestion
and parking problems while helping the environment. Businesses can
reduce expenses and control costs by converting fixed fleet costs into
variable costs by only paying for per trip usage. Shared cars can
be used for professional purposes, including trips to nearby offices and
off-site business meetings. Additionally, businesses can give employees
a money-saving perk by offering Connect cars at work, making cars available
for personal usage.
With a variety of programs available, Connect by Hertz eliminates the
need for businesses to worry about owning a corporate fleet. Connect
by Hertz�s basic business package is great for small companies with such
benefits as no minimum commitment, free membership and a variety of parking
options. For larger businesses, Connect by Hertz�s semi-exclusive
and exclusive packages offer exclusive vehicle usage, membership in Connect
by Hertz and Hertz #1 Club Gold, and personal, employee accounts.
�The applications for businesses are great,� continued Frissora.
�Connect by Hertz is able to situate cars on corporate campuses, allow
employees to access vehicles for personal usage and we�re also able to
offer corporate members the added benefit of classic rent a car services.
Businesses, government entities with fleet operations, and even companies
operating residential buildings, such as apartment complexes, can all benefit
by offering employees and tenants car sharing services.�
Connect by Hertz uses the latest in end-to-end telematics to provide
superior customer service. Members enroll online where they can retrieve
invoices and access their driving history. After reserving, an email
confirmation and text message indicating the car�s license plate and location
is sent to the member. To unlock and engage the vehicle, members
simply swipe their Connect card over the car�s identification reader.
In car, a hands-free audio kit connects members to a Member Care Center
representative should they have questions, need assistance or need to extend
their rental. Cars are also equipped with iPod connectivity and NeverLost®
in-car navigation system.
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:
HTZ), is the world�s largest general use car rental brand, operating from
approximately 8,500 locations in 141 countries worldwide. |
In another symbol of its commitment to build greener hotels, Marriott
was the first hotel company to join the USGBC in 2007 and expects that
20 of its Architecture and Construction associates will be LEED-accredited
by year-end. This thorough understanding of green building practices and
principles is valuable during the design and construction process.
In addition, Marriott hotels worldwide have been recognized for incorporating
environmentally-friendly practices into their business:
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Approximately 275 Marriott hotels have earned the ENERGY STAR(R) label
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for conserving waste,
water and energy.
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The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, the Portland Marriott City Center
and the Philadelphia Airport Marriott are certified by Green Seal, a non-profit
organization that provides science-based environmental certification
standards.
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The Newcastle Marriott and Manchester Marriott in the United Kingdom, the
Sydney Marriott and Melbourne Marriott in Australia, and the Okinawa
Marriott in Japan are certified by Green Globe, the premier international
brand for sustainable travel.
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The Dearborn Inn, Detroit Marriott Troy and the Detroit Marriott Livonia
in Michigan have been certified by Green Lodging Michigan.
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The Calgary Marriott Hotel in Canada earned a "4 Green Key" rating through
the Hotel Association of Canada's (HAC) Green Key Eco-Rating Program.
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Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa in Australia was named a"Sustainable
Hotel" at the Hotel Investment Conference.
Last year, Marriott announced its environmental strategy to address climate
change, which it calls its "Spirit To Preserve." The plan calls for: Greening
its $10 billion supply chain; further reducing fuel and water consumption
by 25 percent per available room, and installing solar power at up to 40
hotels by 2017; creating green construction standards for hotel developers
to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council; educating
and inspiring employees and guests to support the environment; and helping
protect the rainforest. |
