WASHINGTON -- Marriott International, Inc. has become a major sponsor of the National Urban League's Black
Executive Exchange Program (BEEP), which sends business leaders to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to lecture about practical workplace issues.

    BEEP is one of a number of programs that Marriott supports as part of a five-year strategic partnership that Marriott entered into with the National Urban League last year.  As part of the agreement, Marriott is committed to
sponsoring recruitment, education and career development programs.  The National Urban League, which has selected Marriott as its preferred lodging provider, will help the company seek and identify new multicultural talent.

    "Our sponsorship of BEEP, as part of our overall relationship with the National Urban League, is consistent with our commitment to diversity initiatives," said David Sampson, Marriott International's senior vice president of diversity initiatives.  "I am proud that we are providing resources to expose young people to role models who will make a real impact on their career choices and their lives."

Two years ago, Marriott International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J.W. Marriott, Jr. joined the board of trustees of the National Urban League. As part of the BEEP program, corporate participants conduct workshops on
management issues, such as information technology, e-commerce and networking. The National Urban League provides BEEP role models to four-year HBCUs, as well as the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  The program has touched more than 750,000 students in 30 subject areas. Participants have come from more 650 corporations, government agencies and professional organizations.

    "In celebrating our 35th year of the BEEP program, we salute the universities, the corporations and more importantly the individuals that make this program an overwhelming success," said Marc Morial, President and CEO,
National Urban League.  "BEEP has been and will remain an integral component of the League's education agenda, helping to advance the achievement of college students beyond the classroom and into the business world.  The
National Urban League salutes Marriott International for its continued support.  We also thank Marriott for sharing its best practices with tomorrow's future business leaders."


    Specifics of the strategic relationship between Marriott and the National Urban League include:

    * Marriott will participate in the National Urban League Convention Career Fair.

    * National Urban League will coordinate a joint Hospitality Career Day for high school students.

    * Marriott will sponsor National Urban League activities during major hotel openings (e.g., tours and job postings).

    * National Urban League will identify points of contacts and candidates for employment opportunities.

    * National Urban League will promote Marriott as an employer of choice to its membership.

    * Marriott will provide internships to National Urban League clients.

    * Marriott-branded hotels will be considered as the first hotel option for all National Urban League board, regional and key meetings.

    * National Urban League will identify and recommend potential minority vendors to Marriott for consideration for realistic opportunities in Marriott's Supplier Diversity Program.

    In recent years, Marriott has received honors for its diversity efforts from numerous organizations, including Latina Style, DiversityInc., Working Mother and Essence magazines, as well as the NAACP, National Minority Business
Council and Black Meetings & Tourism.  Marriott International, the first hospitality company in the world to establish a formal supplier diversity program, spent more than $150 million in 2003 with more than 10,000 minority-
and women-owned businesses.

     MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 68 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 Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands;
operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers.  The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees and was ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE (R).  In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion.  For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at http://www.marriott.com.


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