Name: David C. Marr
Title: Senior vice president, brand management, global brand leader, Tribute Portfolio and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Company, city: Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Stamford, Conn.
Number of employees: 180,000 employees
Recent project: We recently launched Tribute Portfolio, Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ 10th brand.
First job: My first job was as a banquet houseman at a hotel in New Hampshire.
Little-known fact about you: I enjoy attending trapeze school. I also love drawing.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: One of my guiding principles is summed up by the saying, “Half of life is showing up.” Be present for your team, clients and partners. Even when schedules are full or circumstances are difficult, making the effort to appear and engage pays off in relationships and results.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Maintain your energy through regular fitness and surround yourself with upbeat people who bring humor and perspective. Positivity and resilience sustain performance through both good and challenging times.
Yardstick of success: I measure success by seeing members of my team promoted and taking on larger roles. Helping others grow and advance is the truest indicator of effective leadership.
David C. Marr as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? Running shoes
How do you spend your time on board? I use travel time to organize the trip’s priorities and to draft emails or plans that help me hit the ground running.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Charisma Restaurant at the Hotel Mystique in Santoríni, Greece
What is your favorite destination in the world? Machu Picchu
About Tribute Portfolio and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
Starwood recently announced The Tribute Portfolio. What was the catalyst and inspiration behind the launch?
The idea for Tribute Portfolio emerged in October 2014 from conversations about the growing popularity of independent urban and resort hotels. While Starwood had nine well-known brands, we found SPG members were frequently choosing independent hotels in destinations where our brands weren’t represented. Conversations with independent owners reinforced the opportunity.
Tribute Portfolio is designed for SPG members and for owners who bring a clear vision for their property. The name “Tribute” reflects our intent to honor distinct hotels that resonate with their communities. We provide owners design freedom and flexible brand standards while maintaining clear operational requirements and the benefits of Starwood’s global distribution and loyalty platform.
Tell our readers about the first Tribute Portfolio hotels and what makes them unique.
The initial Tribute Portfolio properties span urban and resort markets and each delivers a strong local personality. The first was the Royal Palm South Beach Miami, positioned on iconic South Beach near high-end shopping and cultural activity. In the U.S. we’ve added Riviera Palm Springs and Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa. International additions include the Great Northern Hotel in London and The Kiroro in Hokkaido, Japan. Upcoming openings and signings include Coral Gables, Fla.; Asheville, N.C.; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Each hotel tells its own story through design, programming and community connection, which is the core of the brand’s appeal.
What are the long-term plans for the brand?
Tribute Portfolio is intended to be a global brand, with targeted growth in cities such as Paris, Milan, Amsterdam and Singapore, among others. With eight hotels signed early in the program, we aimed for 10 hotels by April 2016. Our broader target through 2020 was to grow the brand to 100 hotels, with approximately 70 operating and 30 in development. By pairing independent-minded owners with Starwood’s scale and resources, Tribute Portfolio aims to build a collection of distinctive hotels that benefit from a shared loyalty and distribution framework while preserving individual identity.