Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will open a new Customer Contact Center (CCC) in Wichita, Kan. in late 2013. The new CCC's associates will help Starwood guests book reservations and provide Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) member services. Starwood is adding jobs in North America to support innovative customer programs, including the Ambassador Program, and to support industry-leading work to personalize guest experiences.

"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 - 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 30 new positions with 150 additional associates anticipated this year to supplement Starwood's current needs. Beginning in June, interested applicants can visit www.starwoodhotels.jobs to learn more about the roles and apply.

"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."

The project is dependent upon a package of incentives from the State of Kansas and the Wichita City Council and Sedgwick County Commission. The local governing bodies are expected to vote on the project May 21 and 22.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels &

Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®,Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®, along with an expanded partnership withDesign Hotels™. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitterand Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.