Run, Walk, Wheel Together in Memory of Late Marriott President
Members of the Westin Denarau Island leadership team together with their associates participated in a ‘Run, Walk, Cycle together’ event on Denarau last Wednesday. Director of Human Resources Farrah Shalzeen said the event known as ‘Coming Together & Moving #ForwardForArne’ is held to honour and remember the late President and chief executive officer (CEO) of Marriott International Arne M. Sorenson.
She added the late Mr Sorenson was very passionate about adventures and discoveries through walking, running, and cycling. Thus, the property organised a 5km journey from the resort to other points on the island.
“He was one of the visionaries, he was one of our greatest leaders of Marriott International, everybody loved him for his leadership for the person he was,” she added.
“So worldwide every Marriott property we were requested if we could do something in the form of a walk, run, or cycling or whatever it is, and mark the day with all of the associates.”
In Fiji they decided to gather all of the associates who would be interested, and the initial plan was to do a 3.8 kilometre walk around Denarau Island.
Furthermore, Osea Dugu, who was among the 20 associates said: “This is a good team bonding exercise as well. It is also good for our wellbeing as well to be involved in such programmes.”
About the run from Westin Denarau
■Associates at the Sheraton and Westin Hotels and Resorts started by gathering at the Coco Palms Lounge at 6.30am last Wednesday for registrations before commencing the walk, run or wheeling around Denarau Island while collecting litter along the way and thinking or talking about their favourite Arne memory.
■Mr Sorenson was always on the move. One of his favourite ways to discover a new place was to go for a run, often joined by local associates, to explore and connect with others.The two-hour event combined covered over 120 kilometres.
■Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay held a similar event last Sunday starting at the resort to remember the late Mr Sorenson was renowned for his leadership on difficult national and global issues and steered Marriott to make significant progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and human trafficking awareness.
■Becoming only the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname, Mr Sorenson led the company to strong growth including the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts.