I don't usually cut an article in two parts, but the official opening of the Marriott Marquis DC is a very big happening in DC and I felt better covering it in two parts, so I could include a bit more than I would normally. So in Part One, I covered the speeches and dedication of the plaque honoring J.W.Marriott, Jr. In Part Two I am continuing the morning events (with the multiple ribbon cuttings) the toast and finally the evening celebrations.
First up, the ribbon cutting;
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The Marriott Family does the honors |
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The 'interested' parties (Marriott, District, Events DC, Capstone and Quadrangle) |
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The District Government |
So three ribbon cuttings....following this "The Toast" given by David Marriott, COO Eastern Americas, Marriott International. The toast was made with Root Beer - in deference to the first Marriott business - a root beer stand on 9th Street NW...a remarkable history of success.
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Picture Property of Laura Davidson Public Relations David Marriott raises a glass | |
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Picture Property of Laura Davidson Public Relations Mrs Donna Marriott, J.W.Marriott, Jr. Norm Jenkins and Mayor Vincent Gray |
....and then....Balloons!!!!!!
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What's Up? |
This signaled the end of the dedication and ribbon cutting, but of course there was more interviews and 'networking' to be done
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Well, that went well didn't it! |
The final piece....the evening reception. The Marriott Marquis provided an exceptional (and well earned) evening feast of food and fun, with a definite DC tone. Each area of the Ballroom given a District designation, each with its own food service, bar and seating to resemble the area. A DJ high above the crowd provided the music, and scattered around the Ballroom different locally produced art that represented the city.....Bravo Marriott.
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Multimedia walls fill in the information you need about the Marriott Marquis |
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Yup hashtag #MARQUISDC |
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Lots of people, lots of food and drink |
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The Capitol Hill neighborhood |
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Yeah!! Shaw (I know shameless plug for my hood) |
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High above the crowds the DJ rocked all night |
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Bringing DC Street Art inside |
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Its dark, time to go home |
I know this has been a long post...but I would like to add just a few personal words;
I have followed the construction of The Marriott Marquis DC, since before ground breaking. I have taken, quite literally, thousands of photographs, and published an awful lot of articles. The Marquis is no longer 'plywood' so I probably will not be writing about this wonderful structure much anymore.
I would really like to thank the following folks for there help and assistance, there willingness to let me roam the site and publish what I found;
Norm Jenkins, CEO
Capstone - who got the ball rolling
James Harper and the team at
Hensel Phelps - for those fantastic construction pics
Michaelann Millrood, Jessica Foreman and Laura Davidson Public Relations - who kept the ball rolling once the major construction was done
Bill Wallace (Director of Sales and Marketing) at the
Marriott Marquis - for some funny video's during construction and enormous help as the hotel reached its near opening.
Thank you all for letting me chronicle your journey.
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