Marriott Aggressively Moves Into Interactive Meetings Market

LONDON — Marriott International, Inc. is launching EventCom Technologies by Marriott, a new service that aims to tap into the $400 million interactive meetings market. Unique to the lodging industry, EventCom Technologies’ services include satellite broadcasting, audio conferencing, ISDN videoconferencing, site selection, Web streaming, and collaborative Web conferencing.

Acting as a single point of contact, EventCom Technologies allows organizations to meet with their employees and customers virtually anywhere in the world. The new business also coordinates contracts with multiple Marriott hotel sites, assists with event management, provides technical and communications support and offers centralized billing.

“We are currently the only lodging company with a division specifically dedicated to providing the latest in interactive technology for corporate and association groups of all sizes,” said Tom Maguire, director of EventCom Technologies. “Combined with Marriott’s meeting planning expertise and portfolio of over 2,000 hotels, EventCom brings a new dimension to meeting technology and effectiveness.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Marriott International has more than 2,200 operating units in the United States and 59 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers.

Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, procurement services and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

EventCom Technologies by Marriott is located in Rosemont, Ill., at Marriott International’s Midwest regional office.