[box type=”tick” style=”rounded” border=”full”]Starwood Preferred Guest Program Provides Access to Show Premieres, Behind the Scenes Tours, Q&A Sessions, Plus Guests Access Exclusive Rates and Discounts on Cirque du Soleil Performances[/box]
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar. 6, 2012– Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest? (SPG?) loyalty program today announced an exclusive new, extended partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned live entertainment company, that now includes Starwood?s North America Division. The extended alliance, including all nine Starwood brands, builds on the success of the existing partnership between Cirque du Soleil and Starwood Preferred Guest in Starwood?s Europe, Africa and the Middle East Division.
Starwood is now the Official Hospitality and Accommodations Supplier Partner of Cirque du Soleil U.S. and Canada Big Top and Arena Touring Shows, as well as the U.S. Theatre Show Zarkana?.
Through this innovative partnership, SPG offers members the opportunity to go On Stage with SPG by transforming Starpoints into a variety of extraordinary experiences including behind-the-scenes tours, Q&A sessions with Cirque du Soleil production staff and performers, access to the Tapis Rouge?, and tickets for premiere nights to Big Top shows in each market, including TOTEM?,OVO? and KOOZA?. Members also have access to premium tickets for the two Cirque du Soleil Theatre productions ? Zarkana and IRIS-A Journey Through the World of Cinema?; in addition to arena shows such as Quidam? and Dralion?.
The first of many On Stage events kickoffs off on March 10th with an exclusive SPG Family Fun Day at OVO? in Santa Monica. Selected members can bring their children to experience VIP show tickets, private performance workshops with some of OVO?s artists, face painting, Q&A, gifts, pre-show and intermission access to the Tapis Rouge? to enjoy delectable food, wine and cocktails surrounded by Cirque du Soleil-inspired d?cor.
The latest Cirque du Soleil Moments available can be explored by visiting SPG.com/moments.
?Our expanded partnership with Cirque du Soleil brings together two award-winning global brands committed to creating memorable experiences,? said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest. ?Starwood was drawn to Cirque du Soleil for its innovative and theatrical, character-driven approach and its integration of style and themes from around the world. Now even more of our guests and SPG Members will have access to an incredible line-up of Cirque du Soleil experiences that they can share with friends, family and loved ones.?
The partnership also offers members pre-sale and discounted tickets of up to 20% off performances. Additionally, Starwood hotel properties are offering tickets packages that include 10% off stays in North American cities including New York, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Francisco, San Jose, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec with many more to come. Hotel properties in these markets will feature Cirque du Soleil inspired cocktails, branding, signage, costume displays and giveaways. Geo-targeting has been integrated within the Cirque du Soleil website to exclusively show Starwood properties within close proximity to Cirque venues. Starwood is also leveraging this partnership to host key corporate customers and owners. And, to further its commitment to the partnership, Starwood hotels have become home for hundreds of Cirque du Soleil performers and their families around the world as they tour for months at a time.
To explore current Starwood Hotel Cirque du Soleil offers visit Starwoodhotels.com/cirquedusoleil.
[box type=”info”] Starwood Preferred Guest
The SPG program?s breakthrough policy of No Blackout Dates at the world?s most sought after collection of hotels, reinvented the hospitality loyalty program when it launched in 1999. By creating a program centered on its members, SPG has developed the most passionate and knowledgeable membership base in the hotel loyalty space. Through its use of new technologies and innovative channels such as SPG.com, SPG.com/stayconnected, SPG.com/flights and others, SPG continues to innovate and lead the industry. By offering No Blackouts on standard rooms at over 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, No Blackouts on hundreds of airlines, and unparalleled experiences available through SPG Moments at spg.com/moments, the program has proven to be a big draw for the world?s most frequent travelers and a significant competitive advantage for Starwood. For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest please visit SPG.com or call (877) ? STARWOOD.[/box]
[box type=”info”]About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1090 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis?, The Luxury Collection?, W?, Westin?, Le M?ridien?, Sheraton?, Four Points? by Sheraton, Aloft?, and Element SM. The company boasts one of the industry?s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.[/box]
[box type=”tick”]About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the company, which has its International Headquarters in Montreal, extends its creative talent to many other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows to all its innovative projects. More than 100 million spectators in over 300 cities in over 40 countries on six continents have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil since its beginnings in 1984.[/box]
Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.