SPRINGFIELD, MO.—John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) announced the company was recently awarded Marriott International, Inc.’s 2015 Spirit to Preserve Award. Debbie Marriott Harrison, Marriott International’s Global Officer—Culture and Business Councils, presented the award to Joe Morrissey, JQH’s Senior Vice President of Operations, who accepted the honor on behalf of the company at Marriott International’s Full Service Owners conference. JQH was recognized for continuing to show support and focus on sustainability. Spirit to Preserve has been an award category since 2012, and JQH also won the award for 2013. Springfield, Mo.-based JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, including operating more than 1 million square feet of meeting space.
Marriott’s Spirit to Preserve Award recognizes those groups who have the highest percentage of activated hotels and highest level of environmental practices based on Green Hotels Global data and company-wide sustainability programs. Every JQH Marriott property is activated in the Green Hotels Global tool and holds a TripAdvisor GreenLeaders rating. Green Hotels Global is a system that provides metrics-based information on the environmental footprint of hotels.
According to Morrissey, hotels across the JQH portfolio have shown outstanding leadership in driving sustainable practices. Each JQH-operated Marriott hotel, under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates and representing a range of brands from Renaissance, Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn, has a Green Committee that meets and discusses green initiatives, then takes action to implement agreed-upon ideas on-property. A sampling of related initiatives by JQH hotels includes high-efficiency lighting, recycling programs, water and energy conservation efforts, local food sourcing, donation of used supplies for repurposing, and supporting their local communities.
“Mr. Hammons built a culture over decades grounded in being an active community partner, and this important role entails taking care of our Earth,” Morrissey said. “Sustainability programs are only as effective as proper implementation, and we have experienced an enthusiastic response from our thousands of hotel associates and guests nationwide about working together to reduce our ecological footprint.”
