SPG Members Can Live the Formula One Experience with Unparalleled Access to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team
STAMFORD, Conn., May 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG(R)), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced a three-year partnership with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. SPG(R) officially launched the new global partnership at the start of Formula One’s European season at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The details of the new partnership were announced this morning with the team and Michael Schumacher at the W(R) Hotel in Barcelona.
Considered the most prestigious form of motor racing in the world, Formula One consists of a series of races known as ‘Grands Prix’ held on purpose-built and street circuits. Through this new partnership with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, SPG is giving its members unique access to experience exclusive Grand Prix events in incredible destinations such as Spain, Monaco, Singapore, Brazil, Abu Dhabi and more.
“We are extremely proud to be an official team partner of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “SPG goes beyond gaining and redeeming points, it’s about building a deeper relationship with our guests. We want to offer our members exclusive experiences that they are most passionate about – be it sports, music or arts. Through our collaboration with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, members can connect with their passion for this entertaining world-class sport.”
Game On with SPG: Access Like No Other
As part of the multi-year strategic partnership, Starwood Hotels & Resorts becomes the preferred hotel partner of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS globally. Members of the SPG program, which is free to join, can register for their chance to redeem over 120 Access Like No Other experiences, offering unparalleled access to the team. These experiences include exclusive meet-and-greets with the drivers and incredible one-of-a-kind views of the pit lane from the team’s hospitality suites at major Grand Prix events worldwide. SPG members will have access to guided factory tours and live race screening events taking them closer to the center of the action – all by using their Starpoints(R). To take advantage of this access and more, members can visit SPG.com/moments.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS said: “We are very pleased to have agreed a new team partnership with SPG and to welcome Starwood to Formula One for the first time. As regular travelers will always tell you, a good hotel can make a real difference to your trip and I am delighted that our team will have the opportunity to experience Starwood hotels as we travel around the world. We are very much looking forward to working with the company while introducing their SPG loyalty program to a new audience.”
