Posted by Heidi Schwartz
The Kansas Department of Commerce, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition announced today that Starwood will open a new Customer Contact Center in Wichita in late 2013. The new center’s associates will help Starwood guests book reservations and provide Starwood Preferred Guest member services.
“Taking care of our guests starts before our guests walk through our property doors, while they are with us and extends after they’ve departed,” said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president of distribution, loyalty and partnership marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “With our guests’ needs in mind, we look for associates who are dedicated and customer-service oriented with a desire to contribute to their communities. After reviewing a number of options, Wichita was chosen as the best place to expand our North American customer service operations.”
“Starwood Hotels & Resorts is an industry leader with an innovative approach to hospitality, and I’m excited that they have chosen to expand in Kansas,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. “It’s great for our business environment when companies such as Starwood create jobs, invest in Kansas and contribute to our state’s economic growth.”
The center’s inaugural class will include approximately 180 positions. Starwood plans to expand the center significantly over the next five years and hire up to 750 more employees in Wichita for a total of more than 900 new jobs. Starwood also anticipates nearly $5 million in capital investment at the new center.
“Starwood is a great company and will be a great addition to our community,” said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer. “We are excited to welcome them and their sought-after jobs to Wichita.”
Sedgwick County Chairman Jim Skelton said, “This is great news for Sedgwick County and our residents because a well-known and well-respected company has chosen to invest and locate its newest center here. Starwood’s choice and investment here means more opportunities for jobs.”
