BETHESDA, Md. – May 16, 2013 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has honored ten associates from around the world with its highest honor, the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence. Established in 1987 in honor of the company's founder, the Award of Excellence is presented annually to Marriott associates nominated by their supervisors or peers for their outstanding performance, and for demonstrating the five key traits inscribed on the award medallion: achievement, character, dedication, effort and perseverance.

Marriott also announced the recipients of its Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service, and the J.W. Marriott, Jr., Diversity Excellence Award.

Read Bill Marriott’s blog about a special honoree, Phyllis Hester, his assistant of 25 years.

For the Award of Excellence, Marriott’s senior management selected the following honorees from hundreds of nominations sent from around the world. Check out Our Stories to learn more about each honoree.

Ms. Jinney Byrne Breakfast Ambassador Fairfield Inn & Suites Tampa North Temple Terrace, Florida	Ms. Marfelia Fernandez Spa Manager Orlando World Center Marriott Orlando, Florida
Ms. Mercy Fernandez Director of Housekeeping The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Mr. Gilbert Gonzales Podium Agent Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Grapevine, Texas
Mr. Ben Voogd Navigator Concierge Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel Amsterdam, Netherlands	Ms. Phyllis Hill Johnson Senior Director, Owner & Franchise Services Marriott International, Inc. Bethesda, Maryland
Ms. Phyllis Hester Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Board Marriott International, Inc. Bethesda, Maryland	Mr. Richard Rivera Door Attendant Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center Cleveland, Ohio
Ms. Shirley Nelson Executive/Sales Administrative Assistant Bethesda Marriott Bethesda, Maryland	Ms. Tanya Ritter Front Office Manager Melbourne Marriott Hotel Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service is presented to a Marriott business unit and its team of associates in recognition of excellence in corporate citizenship. This prestigious award recognizes the desire of Marriott and its people to carry on the commitment of the company’s founders by giving energy, time and resources to help improve the lives of others. This year’s recipient was the Courtyard by Marriott New York JFK Airport, Jamaica, New York.

The J.W. Marriott, Jr., Diversity Excellence Award is the highest form of recognition for a business unit, corporate department or individual that demonstrates excellence in promoting diversity and building an environment of inclusion for all. This year’s recipient was Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, London, United Kingdom.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.