For months, our requests for a meeting with Marriott executives went unanswered. Marriott International had committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2025, but its latest progress report revealed that nearly 30% of its global supply chain remains unfulfilled. So instead of waiting for an email response, Mercy For Animals decided to bring the meeting directly to them.
From October 13-15, 2026, Mercy For Animals´ campaign representatives set up a temporary remote office on the sidewalk directly outside Marriott International Global Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. Complete with desks, laptops, water glasses, and corporate attire. We sent a clear message: we are ready to talk.
At the center of the installation we placed an empty desk chair next to a fresh cup of coffee—an open, ongoing invitation for Marriott executives to sit down and discuss a concrete roadmap for cage-free hens.
Public Exposure and Global Pressure for Cage-Free Hotel Standards
Over three days, the sidewalk activation engaged Marriott employees, executives, and passersby. The MFA team offered free coffee and invited Marriott staff to discuss the 30% gap still affecting caged hens worldwide.
The goal was straightforward:
- Secure a formal meeting with ESG leadership.
- Publish a clear, time-bound roadmap.
- Close the remaining 30% cage-free supply chain gap globally.
Passersby and Marriott employees stopped by our mock office to talk, grab coffee, and learn about the campaign. Volunteers conducted street-style interviews and displayed bold props featuring corporate office lingo like “As per our last 225 emails” and “We saved you a seat”.
A striking visual feature of the campaign—the “Marriott Under The Bed” display—depicted caged hens under a hotel bed, emphasizing that while 70% progress is meaningful, the remaining gap cannot be hidden from guests.
Real-time social media updates tracked the three-day action. Hourly meeting check-ins and video updates shared the message across digital channels, ensuring public scrutiny over Marriott’s corporate animal welfare policy reached far beyond the sidewalk.
What was meant to be a quiet delay turned into a highly visible, public conversation right at corporate headquarters.
Closed Doors, Growing Scrutiny and Supply Chain Accountability
Throughout the activation, campaign representatives reached out to Claire Cutting, Senior Director of Global Sustainability & ESG Reporting at Marriott International. Messages were sent inviting her downstairs to sit in the reserved seat and engage in dialogue.
Although company leadership did not accept our invitation to meet during the three days, numerous Marriott employees engaged in thoughtful discussions about supply chain accountability. Our formal invitation for direct executive dialogue remains open.
For a global hospitality leader, the contrast was unmistakable: an empty chair on the sidewalk, an unfulfilled promise to consumers, and an energized global movement demanding change.
The Turning Point for Animal Welfare Commitments
Mercy For Animals’ public remote office action marks a pivotal moment in holding global hospitality brands accountable to their published ethical targets.
Will Marriott publish a clear roadmap to transition the remaining 30% of its global egg supply? Or will thousands of hens remain trapped in extreme confinement? This campaign has shown that broken promises do not stay hidden under the bed.
Visit Marriott Under the Bed to demand accountability, share the campaign recap, and insist that corporate promises be kept.
Inspired to make a greater impact for animals and show multinational corporations that people hold the real power? Join the Peeps and take action with us today!
