Area Development
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. will invest nearly $5 million to open a new Customer Contact Center in Wichita, Kansas. The new center’s associates will help Starwood guests book reservations and provide Starwood Preferred Guest member services. The hotelier said it will significantly expand the center over the next five years and hire up to 750 more employees in Wichita for a total of more than 900 new jobs.

“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.”

“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.”