Hospitality leader Marriott International recently announced a new marketing campaign aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travellers, friends and families – “Be You, With Us”.
The “Be You, With Us” campaign launches in celebration of Pride Season (often observed from June through September) in cities around the world that host gay pride parades and festivals to celebrate the LGBT community. The campaign is filled with imagery and messages that welcome all guests to be themselves when staying with Marriott. The campaign comes to life through travel packages and amazing hotel experiences and culminates with a sweepstakes where one grand prize winner and guest will receive a trip valued at $5,000 to the 2013 New York, San Francisco or Berlin Gay Pride Festivals. Travellers can register here to enter the “Be You, With Us” sweepstakes.
Participating Marriott brands include: JW Marriott, Renaissance, Autograph, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites.
Beginning June 7th, travelers can book attractive “Be You, With Us” hotel deals and packages through the Marriott Pride portal. Some of the packages include: The Rainbow NOLA offer, which features deluxe accommodations at several New Orleans hotels such as the JW Marriott New Orleans and the Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette; two complimentary welcome drinks and a Gay Guide map to New Orleans; The Get a Room! Vancouver Pride package at the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown in Canada includes overnight accommodations in a king deluxe studio, full hot buffet breakfast, high-speed wireless internet, parking, two door passes to Celebrities Night Club and two cocktails in Cavino, the hotel restaurant; and The Rainbow Connection LGBT Special offer at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Hawaii that includes a $300 hotel credit for your stay plus daily breakfast for two at the resort restaurant.
“We are proud of this campaign and of our long-standing reputation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” says Joanna Todd, vice president, segment strategy. “Our core strength lies in our ability to embrace differences and make everyone feel respected and valued when they visit and stay in our hotels. Later this year, we will also launch new campaigns to reach African American and Latino audiences.
” The campaign was created in partnership with UniWorld Group, Inc., Marriott’s Multicultural Marketing agency in collaboration with the company’s LGBT communications specialist, Bob Witeck, President of Witeck Communications.
Marriott International’s premiere hotels from coast-to- coast frequently host galas and events on behalf of LGBT community leaders including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, PFLAG, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, among others. Marriott also serves as a proud sponsor for these nonprofit organizations, as well as other community-based groups.
The company remains among leading corporations earning high marks on the HRC Corporate Equality Index year after year, and for several years, it also has been a supporting member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, committed to diverse suppliers including LGBT businesses.
For more information about Marriott’s global diversity and inclusion initiatives, click here.
Share and discuss this story with your friends
Bryen Dunn
Freelance journalist based in Toronto (Canada), with a focus on adventure, ecotourism, lifestyle, entertainment and historical angles. He has been writing for over 15 years for trade and consumer publications, both online and print. In addition he has worked with many tour operators and tourist boards to assist with marketing and promotional initiatives. He also has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. Writing style ranges from real life accounts from a personal perspective to a more professional corporate approach. Bryen welcomes the opportunity to work with publications or organizations that seek a progressive view on current topics. Available for feature destination articles, regular columnist, and contract assignments. Past travel destinations include Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, Caribbean, South Pacific and most parts of North America, including Alaska, Yukon and the North West Territories. Bryen can also be heard regularly on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto and Sirius Radio on the internet. www.bryendunn.com, info@bryendunn.com
Located: Toronto Canada
Likes: adventure, eco-tourism, lifestyle, entertainment, quirky, unknown, undiscovered, new
Website: http://www.bryendunn.com
More stories by Bryen Dunn
Bike Taiwan with Giant Bicycles Founder King Lui
As an avid cyclist my entire life, I was more than excited to have the opportunity to visit the headquarters and manufacturing plant of Giant Bicycles in Taichung, Taiwan . After a tour of the plant, I was also given the chance to do a couple hours of cycling around the nearby...
ConnectingTimes Reduced at Toronto Pearson Airport
Passengers connecting through Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport enroute to the United States no longer have to reclaim their checked baggage. This will affect 800,000 passengers this year alone, and should help speed up connection and transfer times.
In order to make...
Canadian Cyclist Fraser Young Traverses Taiwan
On my recent travels to the Far East, I was able to take in some of the Taiwan Cycling Festival events, including the arduous King of the Mountain (KOM) Challenge . Nearly 400 international cyclists participated in this 100km, 3275m ascent from sea level to the highest point on the Island....
Two Wheeling in Taiwan
When I first heard that Taiwan was an emerging international cycling destination, I was somewhat curious. First of all, I knew little about this tiny island (36,000 km²) situated of the coast of southeastern mainland China. It’s still officially known and governed by the Republic...
VIA Rail Announces Free On-Board Entertainment
VIA Rail Canada has partnered with CBC/Radio-Canada, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and The Historica-Dominion Institute an interactive digital platform providing passengers on VIA Rail trains free access to Canadian programming.
Starting in Spring 2013, the new interactive...
Outdoor Adventures in California
Many of California's outdoor experiences are truly unique; the state’s diverse topography has created special natural attractions that can only be found in the Golden State. For outdoor enthusiasts of all levels, here are some of the top activities and attractions to add to your...
History and Hostelling in Boston
Boston is the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the state's largest city, and the location of several key events of the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston.
Boston is much more than the...
Ecotourism Awaits at Balcones del Atlantico
To start off 2013 on the right (adventurous!) foot, Balcones del Atlántico announces an exclusive on-staff marine biologist and an exciting “Bucket List” ecotourism vacation package.
At this luxurious resort in the exotic Samaná...
Automated Border Clearance Launched in Toronto
This week saw the official launch of the Automated Border Clearance (ABC) program at Toronto Pearson International Airport. ABC uses self-service kiosk technology to partially automate the processing of Canadian citizens (with a valid Canadian passport) and permanent residents of Canada (with a...
Winter Adventures in Quebec
For outdoor winter enthusiasts in Canada, there's no better place to go where an abundance of snow is almost guaranteed, and unique activites are sure to be found.
If you want to try a new winter sport, then Hok skiing is for you! Also known as snowshoe skiing, Hok skiing is described as a...