January 25, 2018 Integration Updates, Management Company Monthly Recap

January Monthly Integration Recap | SPG Hotels

Franchise Management Companies | Thank you for an incredible 2017! 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.

As part of our continued effort to keep hotels informed, SPG hotels will continue to receive weekly email content via The Check-In, and Change Crews will have the opportunity to participate in weekly integration webinars, which are held on Tuesdays at 1p.m. ET. Email changecrew.northamerica@marriott.com with any questions.

SUMMARY OF THIS MONTH’S KEY ACTIVITIES

Prepare Now for the Big 4 | Platform Integration
Kickoff Integration Webinar Recording
Franchise Management Company Webinars
EMPOWER: Guest Experiences Platform
Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee Program
MI Leads
Marriott’s Consortia and Retail Agency Strategy
Use Build a Learning Plan for 2018 Required Training
SPG Keyless Update
BSA Accountability and Property Certification Deadline

Prepare Now for the Big 4 | Platform Integration | In 2018, we are focusing on the Big 4 | Platform Integration, migrating to a unified platform across many of Marriott’s major systems and services. This will enable a more seamless customer experience across all brands and enhance Marriott’s ability to lead the pack. GMs should have received a direction communication for the “Prepare Now for The Big 4 | Platform Integration” email on Jan. 26 to begin pre-work activities, and attended the Hotel Activation webinar. In order to jump start your hotel on this journey, GM’s should complete the “Prepare Now” Task List, contained in Land-It, which guides them through all the required actions items for Q1. All items contained in the Land-It task list must be completed by March 5. Additionally, as part of their Prepare Now, GM’s should also identify their Change Crew by Feb. 2. The Change Crew will lead and be accountable for the Big 4 Integration efforts for 2018.

Webinar Recording of the 2018 Integration Kickoff Webinar | Thank you for those who participated in the Jan. 19, 2018 Integration Kickoff Webinar. We appreciate your continued support throughout the integration efforts. During this call, our Franchising team leaders shared materials and information regarding the activities that will be required of your hotels in the coming year. If you were not able to participate, Click here to view a recording of the webinar.

Franchise Management Company Webinars | New this year, we have launched twice monthly webinars for franchise management company contacts. This new process is intended to help streamline the sharing of information, and provide a regular cadence that allows you time to plan for and participate in these webinars. Webinars will be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 2 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to the weekly mi360 RUNDOWN for details, which will be shared the week prior to each webinar.

EMPOWER: Guest Experiences Platform | Moving forward, the Guest Experience Platform formerly known as GXi will now be referred to as EMPOWER: Guest Experiences. For a period of time, materials may still reference GXi until resources have been updated. EMPOWER: Guest Experiences is the enterprise-wide solution that will replace all other guest relation tools currently in use across Marriott Rewards and SPG hotels (excluding MVW and Protea).

Comply with Expanded Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee Program | The Look No Further (LNF) Best Rate Guarantee program is being expanded in 2018. The new rate shopping tool conducts more than 120,000 shops per day across all hotels, generating data for hotels to quickly identify and resolve situations where third parties are undercutting direct booking channels. Moving forward, hotels will be assigned a monthly rate parity score (Red, Yellow, Green) based on their rate shopping data.

Ensure Selection of Property Administrator for MI Leads | MI LEADS, Marriott’s Global Lead Referral Program launched on Jan. 1, and is the new platform for SPG hotels to view eRFPs submitted via brand.com and Local Property Sites, and for all hotels to receive and send group and catering lead referrals. To leverage the program, ensure properties identify a Program Administrator for MI LEADS, and ensure sales users are enrolled to expedite lead response time. Note that the new MI LEADS notifications replaced SPG Hotel TeamHot notifications.

Review Marriott’s TMC/Consortia Partner Agreement Terms for 2018 | All SPG hotels are incorporated into Marriott’s Consortia and Retail Travel Agency Strategy. These agreements are designed to drive incremental business at BAR rates from the most highly valued TMC, Travel Agency and Consortia accounts.

Use ‘Build a Learning Plan’ for 2018 Required Training | Effective Jan.1, Build a Learning Plan is available for SPG properties globally. Build a Learning Plan, which includes 2018 required training, should be used to create training plans for associates. Details and a Demo Tool Video are available on MGS.

2018 SPG Keyless Update | SPG Keyless is a brand standard for Aloft, Element, and W hotels and is currently live across over 190+ hotels globally. In late 2018, hotels with SPG Keyless will transition to the Marriott Mobile Key and Mobile Check-In/Check-Out solution. To prepare for future integration activities, SPG Keyless hotels must update their lock server software in Q1 2018. Impacted properties must complete all server software update tasks on time to prepare for the Mobile Key and Mobile Check-In/Check-Out solution. For additional information, review the SPG Keyless MGS page

Brand Standard Audit (BSA) Accountability and Property Certification Deadline for Group 1 SPG Brands is Jan. 31 | Accountability for the BSA threshold has begun for Group 1 SPG brands (Aloft, Four Points, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Tribute, W, and Westin). Accountability for renovation compliance has also begun for Four Points hotels. If property certification is not completed by Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. ET, properties will lose 16 points on their BSA. To learn more about the BSA Accountability and best practices, review the resources on MGS.