20 May 2021
Tags: MICE, Meeting and Events, Marriott, Marriott International, MarriottHotels
Marriott International has made a leading move in the MICE market to reinvent its face-to-face meeting offering as Australia emerges from the pandemic. Collaborating with leading psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, the research report found it has never been more important that society connect in person for our wellbeing, happiness and satisfaction.
Titled ‘Converge’, the framework examines the mental health impacts of the pandemic and reimagines Marriott International’s MICE offering centred on eight pillars of wellbeing so we can thrive in our day-to-day lives. The eight pillars of mindfulness are:
C Catch some Z’s
O Oxygenate the brain
N Nutrition
V Vision and purpose
E Engage mindfully
R Random acts of kindness
G Gratitude
E Experience something new
With the hotel industry severely impacted by the global health crisis, Dr Carr-Gregg worked with Marriott to develop the visionary new toolkit which promotes the positive impact of human connection. Adding true societal benefit to corporates meeting, the new research-led and evidence-based program is based on positive psychology and reflects Marriott’s philosophy of self-care for both staff and guests.
Dr Carr-Gregg’s research reveals the effects of remote working and lack of face-to-face meetings in the business world namely loneliness and isolation, which are significant risk factors for mental illness.
Dr Carr-Gregg said, “Australia may have handled the global health crisis well, but our next challenge will be coming together to help people rebound and develop psychological resilience. Human beings are social animals - we do better, together.”
“Marriott has an unprecedented opportunity to give Marriott guests attending conventions, meetings and conferences the skills, knowledge and strategies to invest in their wellbeing.”
Marriott International’s Vice President for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Sean Hunt, commissioned the study to create a meaningful new approach to how we come together to work, meet and celebrate.
“The world has changed how we work and do business. Marriott is where leaders, thinkers, creators, difference makers, dreamers, innovators and influencers converge to build resilience and re-connect with one another,” Sean Hunt said.
“Converge means to unite in a common interest or focus - a collective mindset. At Marriott International, it means bringing out the best in our teams and for our corporate clients as they come together to rebuild. Our new MICE offering will engage the corporate world, from the boardroom table down, and restart the focus on company culture once lockdowns and border closures end.”
Dr Carr-Gregg will reveal the new MICE toolkit at a launch dinner at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park on May 27, beamed into simultaneous Marriott events for the meetings and events industry in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Marriott International operates 24 hotels in Australia all feature meetings and conferencing facilities.
For more information on Marriott International’s meetings and events, visit http://marriott.com.au/converge.mi
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For further information, contact: Diane Glasson, Publicity Director, The Mint Partners,
e: diane@themintpartners.com.au m: +61 428 487 585
ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT DR. MICHAEL CARR-GREGG
Dr Carr-Gregg is one of Australia’s most highly regarded psychologists, author of 14 books, broadcaster and specialist in child, adolescent, family and corporate mental health. Dr Carr-Gregg works in private practice at Camberwell Medical Practice in Melbourne. He is the Commonwealth Government representative on the Board of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, a columnist for a number of publications and the resident parenting expert on Channel 7’s Sunrise as well as the top-rating Morning show with Neil Mitchell on Radio 3AW.
Working with Marriott International, he undertook a research-led and evidence-based study to gather data around the effects of remote working and people not being able to meet face-to-face in the business world.
Research Reference Material:
Recent research[1] conducted by Swinburne University reveals that 1 in 2 Australians report feeling more lonely since COVID-19. Many Australians – especially younger Australians – report anxiety about socialising. Thirty per cent don’t feel part of a group of friends. Lonely Australians have worse physical and mental health and are more likely to be depressed which may result in sleep deprivation and a lack of physical activity.
A recent study[2], released in conjunction with World Sleep Day, revealed that only 45% of Australian adults are satisfied with their sleep and 85%[3] fail to meet the recommended targets for physical exercise, with burnout a growing problem.
