I never thought that starting my own blog would have such far-reaching impact within our company. 

Since we first launched the blog, we have continued to grow in the social media sphere by adding more blogs, several different Twitter feeds and even our own online community for our Marriott Rewards members.

When I asked Kathleen Matthews to head our global communications department a few years ago, she convinced me to launch the blog and it has proven to be revolutionary for our company and the way we communicate with our associates and our guests.  Now, her team has rolled out what they're calling our company's new front door for news and information, the Marriott News Center.

This new site is now the central location for all the news and information we distribute.  You can find blog posts about what's going on within the company, the videos we post to YouTube, and even our Twitter feeds and blogs.  You can find all of the latest brand news on this site, as well as information about issues that are important to us like sustainability, diversity and our Spirit To Serve.

But this isn't just a place for us to broadcast our news.  It's a place to engage with our guests.  Now you'll be able to comment directly on our news, just like you do here on my blog posts.  You'll even be able share our news with your social networks if you find it compelling… and we certainly hope you do.

What is truly great for a company expanding globally like we are is the Marriott News Center is a forum for people around the world to converse and share their ideas and opinions with us.  In the end, we want the Marriott News Center to represent and reinforce the company's open and transparent image, embracing a conversational and welcoming tone.

Hats off to the global communications team on this fantastic new site.  I hope you'll take a look at the Marriott News Center and don't just let me know what you think…be sure to leave a comment there as well.