SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 2 April 2008 – The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has named J.W. (Bill) Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International, as the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Communication Leadership (EXCEL) Award. The EXCEL Award is the organization’s highest award given to non-members and recognizes individuals who exhibit strong leadership in fostering excellence in organizational communication.

Marriott’s leadership spans more than 50 years, and he has taken Marriott from a family restaurant business to a global lodging company with about 3,000 properties in 68 countries and territories. Known throughout the industry for his hands-on management style, he has built a highly regarded culture that emphasizes the importance of Marriott’s people and recognizes the value they bring to the organization.

Regarded as a lodging innovator, Marriott began shifting the company’s business model in the late 1970s from hotel ownership to property management and franchising. His strategic decision allowed the company to accelerate its growth and broaden its leadership position. Today, approximately 151,000 Marriott associates serve guests throughout the world.

“The Award Committee was very impressed with Bill Marriott and his personal commitment to communications in his namesake company,” said Jay Coleman, ABC, chair of the 2008 EXCEL Award Committee. “Marriott International has a respected, well-documented communications program, and Bill demonstrates his personal commitment every day, from traditional employee engagement while inspecting 250 Marriott properties each year, to adopting new communications tools such as blogging. We’re eager to hear this living legend discuss his experiences communicating with a global audience at the IABC International Conference.”

Marriott is scheduled to accept the award on Monday, 23 June, at IABC’s 2008 International Conference in New York City. The conference will be attended by 1,600 communicators from more than 40 countries.

About the EXCEL Award

Each year, the Excellence in Communication Leadership (EXCEL) Award recognizes an individual who consistently demonstrates vision and leadership in his or her commitment to effective business communication. Past recipients of the EXCEL Award include: Stu Reed, executive vice president of Motorola’s Integrated Supply Chain; Rajesh Subramaniam, president of FedEx Canada; Mark Hurd, CEO of Hewlett Packard Company; John J. Ryan, president and CEO of Farm Credit Canada; Edward W. Barnholt, chairman, president and CEO of Agilent Technologies; Richard M. Schulze, founder, chairman and CEO of Best Buy Co, Inc.; James E. Burton, CEO of the World Gold Council; and many others.

The nomination process for the 2009 EXCEL Award will begin in October 2008. Visit www.iabc.com/awards/excel.htm for details.

About IABC

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in over 65 countries and 100 chapters. For more information, visit www.iabc.com.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers.

The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion.

For more information or reservations, visit www.marriott.com.