Marriott Hotels partners with TED, the non-profit devoted to ideas worth spreading. This relationship brings creatively curated TED Talks, blogs and original quotes to hotel guests worldwide. — Photo by Marriott International

Bethesda, Md. – Marriott Hotels today announced a partnership with TED, the non-profit devoted to ideas worth spreading. This relationship brings creatively curated TED Talks, blogs and original quotes to hotel guests worldwide. Travelers staying at Marriott Hotels will now have access to thought-provoking and inspirational content to help jumpstart their own original, inventive thinking. The content is expertly curated by TED, according to selected themes that are topical and relevant to guests, including curiosity, innovation, travel and entrepreneurship. The themes change every quarter.

In addition, through this partnership, Marriott Hotels will also host a series of five global TED Talks Fellows salons in Seattle, London, Dubai, Bangkok and Santiago throughout this year and into 2017. Themes and speakers for the salons will coincide with the content themes during that period. By featuring some of the remarkable TED Fellows as a source of motivation, Marriott Hotel guests will have the opportunity to engage with TED's trailblazers in an intimate conversation setting, addressing innovative and thought-provoking discussion topics to each region.

"At Marriott Hotels, everything we do is guided by our belief that travel expands the mind and triggers new and creative ways of thinking. We know that travelers today look for more in a hotel and we are bringing to life new innovations that help elevate guests' stay to memorable experiences," said Matthew Carroll, Vice President and Global Brand Manager of Marriott Hotels. "TED content does not only entertain, but educates and engages on topics that are relevant to our guests. Together we are delivering a series of original content, events and experiences that will spark travelers' creativity and inspire new perspectives."

"Marriott has created a space that is perfect for our global, creative, and action-oriented community of Fellows," said TED Fellows deputy director Shoham Arad. "TED Fellows represent 90 countries all over the world, and are working at the forefronts of their domain – Fellows are artists, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, inventors and beyond. Marriott's hotels are there where we are, and the space they have built is enabling a true exchange of ideas."

Content that is offered in the form of blogs, curated TED Talks and inspirational quotes through guest room entertainment and when logging into Wi-Fi will be made available by this fall. Original videos created by TED for Marriott Hotels guests will also be released on the Marriott Hotels social media channels. Additionally, Marriott Hotels event experts will feature one-of-a-kind "Inspirational menu" of TED assets that can be utilized for corporate groups for on-property meetings.

About TED TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED's annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Monica Lewinsky, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily;the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollar TED Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a "wish," or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 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. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.