For over 30 years, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong has been a vital partner where our annual Gala Dinner is held. With around only 27% of our funding comes from the government, the gala plays a key role in covering up to 25% of our operating costs. Planning such a major event has many moving parts, and the JW Marriott has been a steadfast, trusted partner in making it all happen.
Please introduce yourself, your role at JW Marriott, and how you first became involved with Mother’s Choice?
My name is Mark Siu, and I’ve dedicated my entire career to JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong since December 1994. I started in Banquet Operations, and about six years ago, moved to the Stewarding Department, which supports back-of-house for our food and beverage operations.
My involvement with Mother’s Choice began in 1995 or 1996 by helping with their annual Gala Dinner. I was quite young at the time, and the event left a strong impression on me. Welcoming distinguished guests while supporting a meaningful cause for vulnerable communities was profoundly impactful from the very beginning.
Reflecting on your experiences, from working at our Gala Dinners to visiting the Child Care Home, what has been a particularly memorable moment for you and how has it shaped your view of Mother’s Choice?
Two moments stand out for me. The first was my very first gala. It transformed my perspective from fulfilling my role to truly understanding the mission behind the event.
The second was a visit to the Child Care Home earlier this year, my most in-depth look at the work of Mother’s Choice. What struck me most was that each child had a dedicated wardrobe with their name on it. It showed me that Mother’s Choice offers more than shelter and meals – it nurtures a child’s self-worth. Giving them a sense of belonging, it teaches responsibility and builds confidence. Seeing that thoughtful, empowering care firsthand deepened my respect for the organisation and the real impact of our support.
What feedback have you received from your colleagues about their involvement, and what does this partnership with Mother’s Choice mean to them?
Our colleagues consistently describe their experiences as deeply moving and transformative. The visit to the Child Care Home, in particular, was incredibly powerful. It transformed our support from an abstract concept into a tangible, emotional connection.
This partnership is a source of pride for us. It reflects the family-centered care that defines JW Marriott. With more than 20% of our associates having worked here for over 20 years, we’ve built a culture where this isn’t just a corporate initiative – it’s a natural extension of our own shared values. We are personally invested in the cause, and that shared commitment strengthens our own team bonds.
How does JW Marriott’s ‘family’ culture drive its community partnerships and shape its internal environment?
Our ‘family’ culture is the bedrock of everything we do. Internally, no department operates in isolation; we support each other as one team. This ethos directly shapes our external strategy: just as we care for our internal family, we feel a responsibility to care for our wider community in Hong Kong.
This is not accidental; it is a deliberate strategy guided by our corporate Marriott Serve 360 programme, which formalises our social impact commitments. Partnerships like Mother’s Choice aren’t an optional add-on; they’re core to how we operate. This alignment between culture and corporate values drives long-term commitment and keeps our staff genuinely engaged in the mission.
Looking ahead, how would you like the relationship between JW Marriott and Mother’s Choice to grow in the coming years?
I hope we continue our strong support for Mother’s Choice. At the same time, there’s a part of me that reflects that if Mother’s Choice always needs our help, it means deep-seated issues remain in our society.
Visiting the Child Care Home was eye-opening. It was heart-breaking to see babies facing health challenges through no fault of their own. My long-term hope is a future with fewer crisis pregnancies and every child growing up in loving family. It’s a distant goal, but we must keep working towards it together.
Beyond supporting Mother’s Choice, how does JW Marriott contribute to the Hong Kong community?
Our community work is guided by the diverse pillars of our Serve 360 programme. This includes a wide range of employee-led initiatives: from environmental projects like tree planting and protecting local wildlife, to direct community outreach such as regularly preparing and distributing meal boxes in districts like Sham Shui Po. We also focus on educating the next generation by supporting programmes for underprivileged children.
Being a responsible corporate citizen is embedded in our core values. We actively look for ways to give back to the community that supports us, creating positive social and environment impact across Hong Kong.
