3506: How Marriott International Builds Digital Fluency at Global Scale,

Dec 2, 2025

Victor Arguelles, VP of Global Learning Design and Development at Marriott International, shares insights from his journey from educator to corporate learning leader. He discusses how mindset and cultural relevance shape Marriott's digital learning transformation. Victor explains the balance between global standards and local nuances, using validation tests to enhance training experiences. He also highlights the significant reduction in training time with innovative tech solutions, revealing how data-driven strategies and a commitment to people-first learning drive Marriott's success.

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ANECDOTE

Classroom Roots Shape Global L&D

Victor Arguelles began his career as a high-school teacher and says that classroom experience shaped his approach to enterprise learning.
He uses that empathy to design learning that acknowledges individual differences and cultural nuance across Marriott's workforce.

INSIGHT

Transformation Is People, Not Just Tools

Victor emphasizes that digital transformation is about people, process, and mindset more than tools.
He frames the shift as moving associates from yesterday's routines to tomorrow's workflows with human-centered change management.

ADVICE

Validate Change With Real-World Tests

Do validate change with experience tests and show associates what their day will look like before deployment.
Provide real-world practice in the Digital Learning Zone and embed support where tasks actually happen.

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Have you ever wondered how a company with nearly a million associates across continents keeps everyone learning, aligned, and prepared for constant change? That question sat at the heart of my conversation with Victor Arguelles, the VP of Global Learning Design and Development at Marriott International.

Victor began his career as a high-school educator, and it is clear that this early experience shapes his entire approach to enterprise learning. He brings the empathy and discipline of the classroom into a global operation where cultural nuance, business complexity, and operational scale collide every day.

Across our conversation, Victor opens up about what digital transformation in learning actually looks like behind the curtain at Marriott.

Rather than focusing on tools alone, he explains how mindset, process, and cultural confidence dictate success. He talks about the delicate balance between global standardization and local relevance, and how Marriott validates learning experiences to understand how change will feel for associates before any deployment begins. It becomes clear that the company's commitment to people first is not a slogan, it is the foundation of the entire learning strategy.

Victor also shares how Marriott is using partners and platforms to reimagine training in a way that fits into the flow of work. He describes how digital adoption tools have reduced training seat time by as much as 60 percent and given associates real support inside the tools they use every day. This shift has created confidence, improved performance, and given teams more time with guests, which he considers the most meaningful return on investment of all.

Looking ahead, Victor reflects on the role AI will play in learning, from measurement to content creation, and how emerging tools could eventually provide adaptive, contextual support in real time.

If you are a tech or business leader trying to understand how large enterprises truly modernize learning, this conversation offers a grounded and human view of what it takes. And as Victor looks toward 2026 and beyond, he shares why he believes the next wave of learning innovation will be shaped by AI, data, and a deeper understanding of behavior inside the flow of work.

What stood out to you in his approach, and how do you see the future of enterprise learning evolving? I would love to hear your thoughts.