STAMFORD, Conn. - March 3, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that Starwood Preferred Guest and Major League Baseball® today revealed an exciting lineup of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and rewards that will give SPG baseball fans exclusive access to America’s favorite pastime. Starting now, members can redeem Starpoints through SPG Moments for Opening Day access, premium regular season tickets and exclusive ballpark experiences. A full lineup of SPG’s MLB offerings is available at spg.com/moments.
Also today, SPG launched an interactive online game called “Get in the Game with SPG” at spg.com/getinthegame that gives SPG members a chance to win a Grand Prize of two tickets to Game 1 of the 2016 World Series. These FAN-tastic rewards fulfill the promise of the SPG/MLB partnership to deliver big league member benefits along with opportunities to create cherished moments around an American tradition.
“Whether fans are watching the game from the first base line with a childhood friend or gathered around the TV with their family, baseball has always held a special place in America’s heart,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “SPG is thrilled to be able to offer our members exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime MLB experiences that will create lifelong memories.”
“This partnership is special to us because it rewards avid baseball fans and SPG members with truly once-in-a-lifetime MLB experiences,” said Noah Garden, Executive Vice President, MLB Business. “MLB is excited to see our partnership with SPG coming to life through exciting member opportunities like the SPG Moments experiences and the online game.”
Getting in the game is easy for SPG members. Members can use Starpoints to bid on exclusive SPG MLB Moments like watching batting practice from the field or delivering the lineup card to the umpire at home plate. Other dream come true experiences include being able to throw out the ceremonial First Pitch at an MLB game or joining the Chicago Cubs as an honorary manager. Fixed Starpoints experiences include tickets for premium seating and experiences at some of the most renowned MLB ballparks, as well as MLB All-Star game tickets and activities.
Launching today, the new “Get in the Game with SPG” interactive game is a fun way for members to get warmed up for baseball season and practice their skills. Game details are as follows:
Players are able to personalize the design of their game by choosing a favorite home and away team. The game will auto-populate player names into the game’s scoreboard, and players are given their choice of four different pitch types, further customizing the gaming experience.
For a complete listing of SPG/MLB member offerings, please see schedule here or visit spg.com/moments
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites each of Starwood’s 11 distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world. SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG MomentsSM, and most recently Your24™ and SPG Lifetime™. In addition to Free Night Awards at more than 1,200 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments. SPG offers the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today’s connected global traveler – from the SPG app for iPhone that utilizes state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay to Starwood’s Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG’s integration within various social media platforms. Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world’s most frequent travelers. Learn more at spg.com, spg.com/pro and spg.com/moments and connect with us on facebook.com/spg, twitter.com/spg,foursquare.com/spg, pinterest.com/spglife, and youtube.com/spg.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game, with each regular season eclipsing the 73 million mark. Now led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.MLB.com.
SOURCE Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Jessica Doyle
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
203-964-4661
Jessica.Doyle@starwoodhotels.com
Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences.