2023 Outstanding Diverse Organization: Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., (NYSE: VAC), was selected as the winner of 2023 Diversity in Business Awards in the Outstanding Diverse Organization category for large companies by Orlando Business Journal.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a global leader in vacation management and vacation ownership, offers exchanges, rentals, resorts, property management and related businesses.

John Geller, President and CEO, said that diverse backgrounds and perspectives are still essential to the company's success. In the last year, the company conducted an annual associate survey worldwide and implemented key initiatives. It also worked to increase diversity within the company’s talent pipelines.

Geller has more to say:

Why is it important to have a diverse organisation? We are a leisure company that aims to bring people together. Our associates are also diverse, and offer a wealth of lived experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, and strengthens the community. Our values are centered on people, and they guide the way we treat our employees, customers, and communities.

What Central Florida sector does the best job of advancing diversity in Central Florida? Many industries and sectors focus on attracting talent and retaining it, and are making greater efforts to make current and future employees feel included and welcome. In the hospitality industry we create welcoming environments, and we naturally do the same thing for our employees. We aim to create welcoming workplaces for our team members as well as our guests.

How can organizations and companies make their workplace more inclusive? Listening to associates and focusing on their experience is key to creating inclusive workplaces. In response to an associate engagement survey, we created a Executive Inclusion Council of senior leaders to champion inclusion and diversity initiatives across the organization. The EIC is made up of senior leaders across the organization who provide guidance on the company’s inclusion and diversification strategy. They also support leaders' abilities to discuss and achieve meaningful outcomes. The EIC is also responsible for setting inclusion and diversity strategic priorities that are rooted in our core values, and demonstrates our commitment to a diverse workplace.

What is the biggest obstacle to DEI in Florida? Florida is home to many growing organizations, which require a greater focus on attracting and retaining top talent in an extremely competitive job market. It is crucial that organizations consider how to become employers of choice as they recruit, hire, and welcome new team players. To be a top employer, it is important to focus on I&D (inclusion and diversification). Employers can attract and retain top talent by creating and improving inclusive work environments in which all team members are valued, encouraged and supported to grow their careers.