J.W. Marriott

Chariman and Chief Executive Officer
Marriott International
Washington, DC

Dear Mr. Marriott:

As the current president of the Arthur W. Page Society, I am writing to thank you for your company's thoughtful actions in connection with the aftermath of the World Trade Center tragedy.

The Page group is the leading professional organization of senior corporate communications officers. We were scheduled to hold our 18th Annual Conference at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort September 22-25. However, as with many organizations in the same situation, we were faced with the obvious decision to cancel our meeting in the face of the terrorist attack.

Our members concurred that this was the right decision, but I'm sure you're aware that such a decision has financial consequences. While some expenses could be deferred to future meetings, a number of expenditures simply could not be recouped, including our commitment to you. Then we learned of the Coronado Marriott's decision to waive our financial commitment, given the circumstances. Although its members represent the Fortune 200 companies, the Arthur Page Society itself is not large, nor well financed. To have to cover those costs without revenue from attendees would have been a crippling blow to the organization. We sincerely thank you and your associates for your decision.

One of the principles that serve as a foundation for our organization's members in their roles as public relations professionals is "To Prove It With Action", showing that public perception of an organization is determined 90% by what it does and ten percent by talking. Your actions speak loudly and clearly, and they exemplify the best kind of corporate behavior.

And to let our actions speak as well, I am pleased to inform you that the Society's Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to bring our meeting back to your Coronado Island property in September 2003, our next open date. As additional background about our group, I have enclosed a copy of the program we had planned for our conference.

With warm wishes,

Jim Murphy

President