McKibbon wins top Marriott award

McKibbon Hospitality has been awarded Marriott International's top hospitality manager award, the only company in Florida to receive the designation for 2016.

The Partnership Circle Award is given annually to only about a dozen companies nationwide that own or manage 10 Marriott hotels or more and operate at least three different company flags — such as Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott. Recipients also must meet performance standards set by Marriott.

McKibbon also received the award in 1995, the first year Marriott made the designations. This year's winners were presented their awards in Los Angeles, at the Microsoft Theater.

“There's a lot more competition now,” says Randy Hassen, president of hotel management at McKibbon. “But we've tried to stay true to our roots and take care of our associates and always provide excellent service to our guests.”

In 1995, McKibbon managed just five Marriott properties. Today the company operates 53 Marriott-flagged hotels, and has four others in development.
Although McKibbon was the only Florida-based lodging operator to win a Partnership Circle award for last year, Manatee County-based Benderson Development Co.'s Buffalo Lodging subsidiary, which is based in New York, also was recognized by Marriott.