Starwood Preferred Guest And Sheraton Announce Exclusive Partnership with Major League Baseball

Partnership Benefits include Complimentary MLB.TV Access for Sheraton Guests, Booking on MLB.com, In-Room MLB Network and Access to One-of-a-Kind MLB Moments from Starwood Preferred Guest^®

Sheraton Celebrates Partnership with Special Screenings of 2015 MLB Postseason Games

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Preferred Guest^® (SPG^®) today announced an exclusive new partnership with Major League Baseball^® (MLB^®), designating Sheraton as the “Official Hotel of Major League Baseball” and SPG as the “Official Hotel Loyalty Program of Major League Baseball.”  The new partnership brings Sheraton guests, Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) members and avid baseball fans closer to the action by providing them access to must-see games while on the road, as well as the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  Sheraton will celebrate the partnership this fall by hosting special screenings of MLB Postseason games at select hotels across North America, leading off tonight with a star-studded event at the Sheraton New York Times Square. In addition, starting today, SPG members have the opportunity to redeem Starpoints® for pairs of tickets to each World Series game at spg.com/moments.

“We are thrilled to become the ‘Official Hotel of Major League Baseball,’ a sport we know is a true passion for a lot of our Sheraton guests,” said Dave Marr, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “The partnership provides Starwood with the ability to connect with the MLB fan base, a large and highly engaged audience that will help support the brand’s repositioning and further drive loyalty.”

Starting with the 2016 MLB season, Sheraton will take guests and elite SPG members out to the ballgame by offering:

·         Complimentary access to MLB.TV, the only streaming service that enables fans to watch their favorite team live outside their home market;

·         Availability of MLB Network, the Emmy Award-winning 24/7 cable television network dedicated to baseball, as an in-room entertainment channel in the U.S.;

·         Custom Starwood booking widgets located on MLB.com and participating teams’ Schedule pages, providing fans a seamless process in booking travel plans to see their favorite teams on the road;

·         Enticing packages, promotions and sweepstakes that will make baseball dreams come true by sending guests off to see their favorite games in person or offering up chances to win exciting MLB prizes.

"This new partnership will provide MLB content and unique experiences to Sheraton guests and SPG members, offering baseball fans an attractive benefit when making a hotel choice," said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Business.  "In addition, MLB will deliver enormous visibility to millions of passionate baseball fans, giving Sheraton an important platform to showcase its new brand positioning." 

SPG members can also take advantage of the new partnership beyond the World Series with exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime baseball experiences throughout the entire 2016 season through SPG Moments. Starting with Spring Training, members can look forward to MLB experiences that include meet and greets, batting practice with players, premium game tickets inclusive of the All-Star Game and World Series, and much more. SPG members can access all of this at spg.com/moments.

“We know many of our members are loyal baseball fans and appreciate unrivaled access to amazing seats and exclusive experiences,” Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Through this new partnership with MLB, we can fuel our members’ passions with unforgettable moments tapping into the best that baseball has to offer.”

Four-time MLB All-Star José Reyes, SNY and WPIX broadcaster Keith Hernandez, a five-time MLB All-Star, and acclaimed chef Andrew Carmellini of Sausage Boss at MSG, will join fans to celebrate the new partnership at the Sheraton New York Times Square with a special screening of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.  During the event, guests can take in the game while enjoying a ballpark-inspired version of the Sheraton brand’s new Paired signature lobby bar menu, served alongside premium wine and craft beer.  Reyes and Chef Carmellini will also face off in a live stadium-inspired culinary competition to see who can create the ultimate ballpark hotdog using unexpected toppings and sauces. Participating Sheraton Hotels will continue the party nationwide with their own Postseason screenings through the Fall Classic.  Guests can root for their favorite teams while enjoying savory and satisfying Paired options created especially for MLB game nights, such as Chorizo Chili Con Carne Potato Skins paired with White Zinfandel, Blue Crab Hushpuppies with Sauvignon Blanc, Pastrami Stack Pretzel sliders with Cabernet Sauvignon, and a specialty hot dog topped with beerkraut, apple & mustard, created especially for Sheraton by Chef Carmellini.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Strikes A Chord With Amped Up Music Experiences

Musically-inclined SPG members are singing a sweeter tune thanks to new, members-only music offerings and once-in-a-lifetime interactive artist experiences. Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is partnering with Trevanna Entertainment, a live music consulting agency, to produce another remarkable year of the signature in-hotel music series, Hear the Music, See the World. Additionally, through SPG’s expanded relationship with AEG, the largest sports and entertainment presenters in the world, getting into the world’s most exciting music festivals and the best luxury suites is now a reality.

“Music moves our members, so we’re making this year’s program even more memorable, which will deepen our relationship with our most valuable guests,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Through SPG’s music program, we’re redefining what loyalty programs can do. We’re continuing to cultivate loyalty beyond reason with all of our members by providing them once-in-a-lifetime access to music’s top talent and the chance to see amazing performances from the comfort of SPG’s luxury suites in some of the world’s best venues.”

Up Close and Personal

SPG’s Hear the Music, See the World concert series has become one of the most popular SPG Moments. Tickets for this year’s intimate, acoustic series become available April 7, 2015. SPG members can redeem Starpoints at spg.com/moments to attend any of the five in-hotel performances, which gives fans the rare opportunity to connect with their favorite artists in intimate settings.
Confirmed 2015 Hear the Music, See the World performances include:

Aloft & Element Aloft/Element Miami Doral
Miami, Florida June 26 Nate Ruess
W W Beijing
Beijing, China July 4 Zhang Zhen Yue
St. Regis The St. Regis Mexico City
Mexico City, Mexico October 8, 2015 Jamie Cullum
Westin Westin Palace Madrid
Madrid, Spain October 30, 2015 Bastille
Sheraton Sheraton LA Downtown
Los Angeles, California November 5, 2015 John Legend

“There is nothing better than getting up close and personal at small venues with fans who love music as much as I do,” said John Legend. “I get to perform for these devoted fans in the most beautiful settings at the most incredible hotels in the world. SPG delivers what matters most to us – bringing music to the people.”
“Suite Access” to the #spglife

Through its expanded relationship with AEG, SPG is giving its members the opportunity to enjoy the #spglife outside of Starwood’s more than 1,200 hotels. Members can enjoy powerful performances from the comfort of SPG’s Luxury Suites in AEG affiliated venues such as STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena and London’s The O2, which are all part of the AEG Facilities venue portfolio. Members can share their experience at the SPG “selfie spot” while enjoying the SPG bar and other suite perks. Redemption begins April 7, 2015 at spg.com/moments.

Sold Out Festivals? Not for SPG Members

Now SPG Members will have priority access to festivals including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Barclaycard Presents British Summertime Hyde Park, which typically sell out in days if not hours. Through SPG, members can get sold out VIP or General Admission passes, behind the scenes tours, the best views of the stages, access to hospitality and AMEX lounges, catered dinners and more.