Signature Worldwide Expands International Reach with First World Trade Center Licensee
COLUMBUS, OH, July 5, 2005. Signature Worldwide, a leading provider of training and business building solutions, has expanded its global presence with the licensing of its programs to Cyprus-based World Trade Centers Holdings (Cyprus) Ltd., a group of World Trade Centers in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. This partnership marks Signature's first World Trade Center licensee.
The license agreement enables World Trade Centers Holdings (Cyprus) Ltd. to offer Signature's customer service and sales training programs to its members as well as other organizations in the region. The World Trade Centers now have immediate access to many organizations seeking sales and service training for their employees.
"Partnering with a World Trade Center is an ideal situation for everyone involved," said Steven D. Wolever, president and CEO, Signature Worldwide. "Not only does this create additional revenue for the World Trade Center, but training local employees in sales and customer service skills may ultimately benefit the local economy and enhance tourism."
All Signature licensees are required to go through extensive training at the company's headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. The training program covers Signature's services and tools, and provides guidance in business development and marketing. The program is also designed so individual licensees can customize Signature's methodologies to local customs and traditions.
"This local adaptability is crucial," said Mehran Eftekhar, Group Finance Director of World Trade Centers Holdings (Cyprus) Ltd. "Many of our member organizations seek out western style training, especially in the service sector, so they can better understand what western tourists expect. But too often, these training programs cannot be adapted to meet the needs of a particular region or culture so they fall flat. That's why the design of the Signature program is so unique and effective."
"This partnership is further testament to our belief that world peace is a by-product of global trade," added Ghazi Abu Nahl, chairman of World Trade Centers Holdings (Cyprus) Ltd. "By bringing Signature's training programs to our organizations, we are furthering our goal to bring together people, businesses and countries under the banner 'Peace and Stability through Trade.' We are certain this partnership will be a great asset to that mission."
The World Trade Centers Holdings (Cyprus) Ltd. partnership includes licenses for World Trade Centers in Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Libya and Cyprus. Other Signature licensees are entrepreneurs located in Brazil, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, India and China serving a total of 25 countries.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
