Orlando World Center Marriott Achieves 2014 Alice S. Marriott Award for Excellence in Community Service

ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwired - Jul 8, 2014) - Marriott International, Inc. honors Orlando World Center Marriott, one of the largest hotels in the global portfolio, with the exclusive 2014 Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service -- within the Marriott Awards of Excellence -- for the Orlando resort's commitment to community service reflecting Marriott's "Spirit to Serve" mindset. Since 1992, this prestigious award has been presented annually to one Marriott business unit out of 3,800 to recognize charitable contributions continuing the commitment of the company's founders.

"The Orlando World Center Marriott team has a long history of working to address the needs in our community," said Dorathy Nevitt, director of human resources. "With an associate and leadership population of 1,400 strong -- averaging a tenure of 16 years -- we are long-term members of our community and proud to work for a company that allows us to give back in so many ways."

In-line with Marriott's "Spirit to Serve" brand mentality, Orlando World Center Marriott devotes energy, time and resources to S.E.R.V.E. segments, including: Shelter and Food, Environment, Readiness for Hotel Careers, Vitality of Children and Embracing Diversity and People with Disabilities. Working locally and globally, the resort team enriches the lives of others through partnerships ranging from Coalition for the Homeless and Clean the World, to the National Academy Foundation, which offers job shadowing and field trip opportunities.

Additionally, through the Orange County Public Schools Transitions Program, hotel associates work with high school students with special needs to prepare them with job skills and confidence to lead full, productive lives. "We're supposed to inspire them, but really, they inspire us, says Tim Shamrell, director of training. The hotel near Universal Orlando also works with Jobs Partnership of Florida to mentor students, review resumes, conduct mock interviews and help underserved students find employment." General Manager of Orlando World Center Marriott, Doug Ridge, explains, "This is our home; we want to make it a better place to live in. Working together, we are making a difference both now and for the future."

About the Orlando World Center Marriott

Towering above more than 200-prime, Central Florida acres, the Four-Diamond Orlando World Center Marriott offers everything a guest could possibly want. Having recently undergone an extensive multi-million dollar transformation, the Orlando resort now features everything on-premise from the iconic Falls Pool Oasis to a championship golf course, Bill Madonna Golf Academy at Hawk's Landing Golf Club, a full service spa and fitness center, more than 450,000 sq. ft. of function space, as well as 10 taste-tempting restaurants and lounges, including a food court for guests on-the-go. In this magnificent locale with year round average temperatures sitting at 78°, the 2,009-room resort is located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World® and just minutes from SeaWorld® Orlando, Discovery Cove®, Aquatica™, LEGOLAND® and Universal Studios® Orlando.