COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT APPOINTS VICE PRESIDENT TO LEAD GLOBALIZATION PROGRAM

Long-time Marriott executive Donald Gibson appointed vice president, Courtyard International

As part of its recently announced aggressive globalization program for its mid-priced Courtyard by Marriott lodging brand, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) has appointed Donald Gibson vice president for Courtyard International. Currently, there are 41 Courtyard by Marriott hotels internationally with plans to more than double that number to over 90 properties by the end of 2004 and grown to over 200 hotels by 2009.

“Donald will concentrate on the global opportunities for Courtyard, which we believe are tremendous,” said Ed Fuller president and managing director of international lodging at Marriott International. “After more than eight years of operating this brand in a number of countries and markets around the world, we are convinced that the same dynamics that propelled Courtyard to its preferred status in the U.S. exist globally.”

Mr. Fuller said that the primary target consumer groups for Courtyard are middle managers, entrepreneurs and leisure travelers who travel extensively within their own countries and abroad and who want the assurance that their lodging choice will consistently provide the amenities they desire at a moderate price.

In his new position, Mr. Gibson will provide leadership for the growth and success of the Courtyard by Marriott brand internationally. His responsibilities include overseeing future development and current operations efforts with the international markets and coordinating efforts between the brand team and the international markets.

Mr. Gibson is a 17-year veteran of Marriott International and was most recently the regional director for Marriott’s Fairfield Inn brand in the Western Region of the U.S. He began his careerwith Marriott in 1983 as the restaurant manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Windy Hill in Atlanta, Ga. Over the years, he has assumed positions of increasing responsibility, including general manager for several Courtyard by Marriott hotels; product development manager at Marriott International headquarters; Courtyard and Fairfield Inn area manager in the Western Region, where he was named area manager of the year for Courtyard/Fairfield Inn; resident manager of Marriott’s Camelback Inn Resort; and opening general manager for the Scottsdale Marriott Hotel.

A native of Alabama, Mr. Gibson earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in public relations and management from the University of Alabama. He currently resides in Scottsdale Ariz., with his wife, Jackie.