Hyatt Hotels Corporation`s leadership in diversity has led Fortune magazine to name the company as one of “America`s 50 Best Companies for Asians, Blacks and Hispanics,” for a second straight year. Hyatt ranks number 13 on the list, which is published in the magazine`s July 10, 2000 issue. This is up from last year`s ranking at number 17.

“We take great pride in seeing our diversity efforts recognized in such a prestigious forum,” said Scott Miller, president, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “Promoting diversity is an integral part of our corporate culture and is a goal toward which we have devoted significant resources for many years,” he added.

Some of Hyatt`s key diversity initiatives include:

Tying incentive compensation for divisional- and hotel-level executives to their performance in creating programs to increase women and minority participation at all management levels.

A Diversity Council spearheaded by top executives. The Council is charged with increasing awareness of multicultural issues, serving as a sounding board for new initiatives, identifying issues and recommending ways to address them. The Diversity Council has addressed issues such as linking incentive compensation to diversity initiatives, partnerships with organizations that promote diversity in the hospitality industry, community involvement and development of Hyatt`s diversity newsletter.

Mandatory diversity training for managers throughout the company. These mandatory awareness and sensitivity sessions allow Hyatt employees to develop effective management practices that include treating others with dignity and respect regardless of their backgrounds. The Hyatt Hotel Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students, which provides financial support to minority students enrolled in hospitality management programs. The Fund awarded a record 17 scholarships this year. The endowment for the fund is scheduled to reach $550,000 by the end of this year; since its inception, the Fund has awarded 89 scholarships totaling $178,000.

Hyatt`s partnership with the Historically and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities during the Annual Hotel/Motel Show in New York, in which Hyatt supplements student`s academic education by offering professional development workshops given by Hyatt minority general managers. Students selected received round-trip travel to New York, full conference registration and lodging. In addition, they interview for internships or management trainee positions at Hyatt.

Family of Responsible and Caring Employees (F.O.R.C.E.) Program, which allows Hyatt employees to participate in local community outreach and volunteer efforts on paid company time. Since its inception in 1990, Hyatt employees have spent more than 600,000 hours volunteering for more than 350 community organizations. In 1999 alone, more than 15,000 employees donated more than 63,000 hours to community organizations throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. For more information about Hyatt`s diversity initiatives please contact Salvador Mendoza, Director of Diversity at 312.750.8238.

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