The CEO of Marriott International spoke at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative, where he spoke out in support of women as part of the growth strategy for the global hospitality company, according to a press release.
The panel, called "Women Decision-Makers in the Global Economy," Arne Sorenson said women were a major part of the growth strategy for the company, which has locations in 72 countries with 3800 hotels.
"Our portfolio of hotels will benefit tremendously if women are able to achieve their full potential in the global economy," Sorenson said. "That's why we are focused on advancing women in our company's management and executive ranks, gaining their loyalty as customers, creating economic opportunity as hotel owners, and nurturing women-owned businesses through our supply chain.
"This is an important strategy for Marriott's global growth and the vitality of communities where we do business," Sorenson continued.
Marriott has had a commitment to diversity, and has included diversity goals that focus on customers, associates, hotel owners and the women and diversely owned businesses that sell goods and services to Marriott. Businesses owned by women make up the largest group the company purchases from, with 10 percent of Marriott's total purchases coming from them. Marriott spent $257 million with 4,000 women-owned businesses in North America.
"We know our hotels are greenhouses for executive talent and can elevate women through leadership training, mentorships, and through our procurement with women-owned businesses around the world," Sorenson said.
This includes international businesses, such as investments Marriott has made in female-owned businesses in rural Sichuan Province in China through its Nobility of Nature environmental project, which supports sustainable bee-keeping cooperatives that produce honey to be used in Marriott-operated hotels in China.
Marriott has also partnered with a vocational school in Rwanda called the Akilah Institute for Women to bring 15 women from their first graduating class that will work and train in Marriott hotels in Dubai.
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