Marriott International brought 120 team members together for a Build-A-Bike® charity team building event in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Held during the company’s bi-annual meeting at The Women’s Club of Chevy Chase, the event gave employees an opportunity to step away from their usual routines and spend time with colleagues from across the organization. With five distinct teams coming together as one larger group, the activity provided a fun and practical way to build relationships while supporting local children through bicycle donations.
Marriott International is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and operates nearly 9,900 properties across more than 30 hotel brands in 146 countries and territories. The company traces its roots back to a root beer stand opened in Washington, D.C., by J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott in 1927. Today, Marriott International continues to focus on hospitality, diversity, and inclusion while serving guests around the world.
Marriott Employees Build Connections While Giving Back At Team Building Charity Event in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Bringing five separate teams under one roof can be a challenge, but the Build-A-Bike® helped make those introductions happen naturally. Instead of sitting through another networking session, participants found themselves working side by side on challenges that required communication, quick thinking, and a little friendly competition. People who rarely crossed paths during the workday suddenly had a reason to collaborate, laugh, and solve problems together.
As the activity progressed, the room became more interactive and energetic. Teams celebrated wins, shared ideas, and slowly started operating less like separate groups and more like one larger team. The competition kept things moving, but the focus remained on building relationships and creating a shared experience everyone could enjoy.
The final bike presentation gave the event an extra layer of meaning. Just as the group was preparing for the traditional Ta-Dah photo, representatives from The Y of Maryland arrived to accept the donation. Despite a few logistical communication hurdles earlier in the day, the charity team delivered a thoughtful presentation that helped participants understand the impact of their efforts. The donated bikes will provide local children with transportation, recreation, and opportunities to stay active throughout the year. Seeing the completed bicycles lined up and ready for donation gave the entire group a tangible reminder of what they had accomplished together.
We want to thank Marriott International for investing in both teamwork and the local community through this Build-A-Bike® event. We also appreciate The Y of Maryland for the important work they continue to do for children and families throughout Maryland.