DiversityInc announced Marriott International as #1 in supplier diversity for the second year in a row during the 2012 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity event.

Marriott was twenty-first overall making it the highest ranking hotel company on the list. The company was also included on two other specialty lists – Top 10 Companies for Latinos and Top 10 Companies for Blacks. [

PHOTO CAPTION: Marriott associates pictured L to R at the 2012 DiversityInc Top 50 event: Philip Devliegher, Maruiel Perkins-Chavis, Tegest Dirasse, Stephanie Gibbs, Karen Doherty and Apoorva Gandhi.]

Marriott was recognized for demonstrating strength in four areas– CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity.

"Marriott has a long-standing reputation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our business is about creating great experiences…we want everyone to feel respected and valued from our associates to our guests, owners and franchisees," said David Rodriguez, EVP, chief human resources officer and chief diversity leader. "The differences our associates bring to Marriott contribute to the greatness of our organization and enable us to be more innovative in our approach and more responsive to those we serve."

Arne Sorenson, Marriott's president and CEO is featured in the current issue of DiversityInc that highlights the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. In October, he will accept an award for the company's supplier diversity efforts during the magazine's 2012 Special Awards & Top Regional Companies for Diversity event.