I got automatically registered for the newest "Taste of Gold" promotion. It came with an immediate upgrade for the next three months to Gold Elite status (I was at 47 nights already, so this just arrived a couple weeks earlier that I would have achieved it on my own).
Gold status will last until 2016 after completing 6 stays between April 1 and June 30.
I already have 2 stays booked in May (not counting the promo cert. I am using in St. Louis when I visit jerrycoin). Looks like I will have 4 or 5 more in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin in June, so I see no problem making the challenge.
I received an email a week or so ago from Marriott telling me about "exclusive offers in 2014 to a select group of Marriott Rewards members." I guess this must be what they had in mind. Perhaps I'll get another email with an explanation. I just stumbled onto it when I logged into my MR account today.
I wonder what other "secret" promos might be starting and if other MRI members have received one. Regardless, I'm pleased to be back to Gold Elite status again, I've missed it.