September Monthly Integration Recap | SPG Hotels
Franchise Management Companies | Moving forward, we will continue to provide a monthly recap of the key changes shared with – and tasks asked of – SPG branded hotels related to the integration. We appreciate your support in ensuring your hotels remain informed and engaged throughout this process.
GMs and Change Champions at SPG hotels continue to receive weekly emails and have the opportunity to participate in Check-In calls, which are held on Tuesdays at 1pm ET. Continue to email change.champions@marriott.com with any questions.
SUMMARY OF THIS MONTH’S ACTIVITIES
- First Anniversary of Starwood Acquisition
- EPIC Onboarding
- Quarter Century Club (QCC)
- Take Care Relief Fund
- Pricing Season Reminder
- Global Quality Brand Standard and Audit Reminders
Sept. 23 Marks First Anniversary of Starwood Acquisition | As we just passed the one-year mark of the integration, we wanted to thank you for you partnership thus far. While we’ve made significant progress, as we look ahead to the next year, there will be many more major integration activities for hotels to complete and we appreciate your continued support.
SPG Hotels Will Begin Onboarding To Enterprise Property Information Center (EPIC) On Oct. 9 | Following the Oct. 9 launch SPG hotels will be expected to maintain property data in both Valhalla and EPIC. This will enable consistency in data across all systems distributing property content. For more information on EPIC, click here. FAQs have been posted on The Platform and MGS. Email epic.support@marriott.com with any questions.
Share Quarter Century Club (QCC) Card Job Aid With Front Desk Associates | Work with your operations leaders and front office teams to ensure front desk associates are prepared to recognize updated QCC membership cards which may be used for Explore Rates.
Starwood Associate Relief Fund Changes | As of Sept. 1, 2017, the Starwood Associates Relief Fund (SARF) was replaced by the TakeCare Relief Fund, which is administered by Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc., an independent section 501(c)(3) public charity. SPG properties should continue to honor existing reservations made under STARHOTA and STARFRNA and follow the appropriate remittance process, as outlined in the Revenue Management guidance.
Note: Upon transition to the TakeCare Relief Fund, only associates at Managed by Marriott properties will be eligible to apply for a grant. For questions, contact the Take Care Relief Fund team.
Pricing Season Reminder: Comply With 48-Hour Cancellation Policy | The minimum standard cancellation deadline is 11:59 p.m. local time, two days prior to arrival. Hotels are encouraged to remain committed to this updated standard when negotiating BT Special Corporate RFPs this pricing season. For negotiating tips and additional resources to support a successful pricing season, view the Pricing Season Office Hours webinar recording.
Global Quality BSA & Standards Reminders | Group 1 Audits have begun! Note there may have been minor updates to the audits to clarify content and requirements; hotels should reference the most current materials, and not previously printed self-audit forms. As a reminder, Global Food Safety Standards (GFSA) are included in the BSA, ensure that all associates are aware and prepared. The GFSA Task List will be retired at the end of Q3, and hotels should ensure they continue to complete the GFSA quarterly process via the QA Website.
*Group 1=Sheraton, Four Points, Westin, W, The Luxury Collection, Tribute, Aloft, St. Regis
