W Hotels Worldwide Launches Global Speaker Series Featuring Dynamic, Inspiring Women From Around the World

NEW YORK -- W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced WHAT SHE SAID – a new global speaker series featuring inspirational women from the worlds of fashion, music, tech, media and more. W is giving these incredible women at the top of their game a stage in which to share their personal stories at W Hotels around the world, inviting attendees to mix, mingle and network at the hotel's Living Room bar after each talk. Most events are free and open to the public on a first come basis, with the aim to inspire the audience in an unfiltered and uniquely W way.

"W thrives on bringing together bold, dynamic personalities with different points of view," said Suzanne Cohen, Director of North American Brand Marketing, W Hotels. "WHAT SHE SAID shines a light on some of the most creative, outspoken women who are shaping the world today, uniting them together for conversations that are candid and real. W is where creativity comes to play, and it's the diversity of our guests' opinions and our shared appetite for what's new/next that feeds that continuous energy."

The series debuted last night at W London - Leicester Square, as legendary designer, icon and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg joined one of the most exciting new talents of her generation, London-based designer Mary Katrantzou, for an intimate conversation moderated by Calgary Avansino, the entrepreneur and contributor to British Vogue. The two women spoke candidly about their journeys to a crowd that included the designers from the current CFDA {FASHION INCUBATOR} class who are in town for a showcase as part of the program's longstanding partnership with W Hotels.

"I'm very honored to be a part of this conversation with Diane, a strong and inspiring female designer who has an incredible ability to inspire young professionals, including myself, to pursue their dreams," said Mary Katrantzou. "It is important that we keep striving to inspire one another to do better – young people today are the leaders of tomorrow and we have the responsibility of guiding each other."

Each WHAT SHE SAID event will include a moderated discussion followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Guests will then be invited to mix and mingle as they network, in true W style, over cocktails and incredible music. For those who cannot attend, each WHAT SHE SAID discussion will be recorded and available via podcast on Whotels.com/TheAngle for motivation while on the move. W will continuously announce new WHAT SHE SAID talks throughout the year.

Join us in person, listen along via podcast, or join the digital conversation with @WHotels and #WHATSHESAID. Be sure to check WHotels.com/TheAngle for scheduling updates.

Media Contact

Katie Cline

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. [email protected]