Javier Cano is Area General Manager for Marriott International’s Los Angeles properties, overseeing operations for ten hotels in the market including The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, SLS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, Marina del Rey Marriott, West Hollywood EDITION, Westin Los Angeles Airport, Renaissance Los Angeles Airport and the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.
As the pre-opening team leader for the award-winning L.A. LIVE hotels and residences, Cano has been instrumental in advocating the ongoing renaissance of downtown Los Angeles and Marriott’s key role in this burgeoning market. Born in Los Angeles, Cano’s genuine passion for the city is evident throughout his many work and philanthropic endeavors. His innate ability to connect with a range of audiences, from championing those in need to partnering with political leaders to networking with celebrities along a red carpet, has made him a prominent voice for the community and a go-to spokesperson for the rebirth of the downtown neighborhood. In 2018, Cano was recognized on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s prestigious LA500 list – honoring the most influential leaders in Los Angeles for their contributions to the city’s development.
As the present chairman of the Los Angeles Tourism Marketing District, Cano oversees a $40 million fund to drive business to area hotels. Cano has served on the board of the local convention and visitor’s bureau in essentially every city in which he has lived, and currently sits on the executive committee for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board as well as the California Hotel & Lodging Association. He is on the board of directors for the California Travel Association, Hotel Association of Los Angeles, California Hospital Medical Center Foundation, Central City Association, as well as the board of trustees for the Hospitality Training Academy, and is Co-Chair of the board of trustees for the Hospitality Labor Management Cooperation Fund.
Cano’s commitment to fostering hospitality leaders can be seen through his work with Collins College of Hospitality, where he is on the board of advisors and a founding member of the Hospitality Uncorked gala, raising $1.5 million to-date for hospitality education. He is also active with the Marriott Voyage Leadership Development program, and personally counsels all up-and-coming managers who pass through his properties. He takes pride in celebrating the achievements of those he’s worked with and enjoys spending time ‘on the floor’ with his staff.
Before leading the team in Los Angeles, Cano served as the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii, overseeing all aspects of the AAA Five Diamond resort for nearly five years. Prior to that, he served as area general manager for the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel, and in 2001, was named “General Manager of the Year” for Marriott’s Western Region. This marked the second time Cano was awarded this title; he was also the Western Region’s “General Manager of the Year” in 1999 while at the Marina Beach Marriott. In 2012, Cano received the prestigious “General Manager of the Year” award, recognizing his leadership at L.A. LIVE among Marriott properties throughout all the Americas. Under Cano’s direction, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles received acknowledgement of Hotel of the Year for North America in 2018. Additionally he was selected as the 2021 Marriott Worldwide Business Council honoree for the Tom Ladd award for his dedication to making a difference in the lives of guests, associates and the community. In 2024, Cano will celebrate 45 years with Marriott International.
An active and committed community leader involved with numerous charity efforts, Cano led the L.A. LIVE hotels to receive the “Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service” in 2012, 2014 and 2018. During his tenure with the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel, the property was recognized with a “Spirit to Serve” award given by Marriott International for outstanding community service. Cano has received the City of Angels Award from the LAX Chamber of Commerce for his community service work and has been recognized by the Beaches and Harbors department as Volunteer of the Year for Los Angeles County.