The Marriott hotel chain has teamed up with USA-Swimming in a profit-share initiative. Under the agreement, USA-Swimming will receive a percentage of every room booked by USA-Swimming members, and in return Marriott will become the official hotel partner of USA-Swimming and offer members special benefits.
While the exact value of the deal depends on how many USA-Swimming members choose to stay in the hotels, it is estimated that the deal is worth somewhere in the mid six-figure range.
Among the details of the deal include the Marriott being the official host of many of the biggest USA-Swimming events, including future National Championship meets. The Marriott will be the official headquarters for these top-level meets, which could include hosting different meetings, conventions, presentations, and seminars that are often associated with these meets. The Marriott is also now lined up to host the USA-Swimming Foundation’s Golden Goggle Awards, which is a red-carpet event equivalent to the Academy Awards of swimming. The 2010 show will take place at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.
Additionally, this partnership will offer the Marriott a steady source of customers for weekend bookings, which is historically a slow time for the hotel industry.
The money that USA-Swimming earns through Marriott bookings will go towards supporting USA-Swimming’s Make a Splash program. Thanks to the Marriott money, USA-Swimming will be able to provide free or low-priced swim lessons to children in order to promote water safety.
Go online to the USA Swimming website now at http://www.usaswimming.org/travel.