Starwood expands and enhances its associate development program to further elevate employees’ skills and earning potential.
STAMFORD, CONN. – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has a rich history of identifying talented entry-level associates and cultivating their skills into increasingly challenging positions. At Starwood there are many examples of associates who started working at the front desk or as a room attendant who advanced to positions of Supervisor, Manager or even Regional Director.
It’s in this spirit of possibility that Starwood is pleased to announce today its participation in UpSkill America, a public-private initiative led by the US Department of Education to identify front-line employees and give them the training needed to advance their careers. Today, Starwood joined labor leaders, non-profits, educators, technology innovators and other employers for the White House Upskill Summit in Washington, D.C., to share best practices.
As part of its commitment to UpSkill America, Starwood will expand and enhance its existing Associate Development Program (ADP) that has already graduated more than 800 associates within the last five years from owned and managed North American properties.
“At Starwood, we are dedicated to the professional development of our associates in North America and in all of our 1,200 properties around the world,” said Kelly Frank, Senior Vice President Corporate Human Resource Services and Americas Human Resources at Starwood. “The Associate Development Program gives our people hands-on, real-world learning experiences that they can apply immediately. It also structures the learning in an accessible way for hotels to prepare the next generation of managers and leaders. The UpSkill America initiative invites us to learn from other industry-leading companies and challenges us to make an already successful program even better.”
Starwood’s program, initially launched in 2003 as a pilot in Arizona and New York and later expanded throughout Canada and the United States, selects high-potential associates to undergo approximately six months of training that could include cross-functional learning, exposure to senior leaders, mentoring or coaching and presentations and projects related to the skills they learn in the program.
Taylor Spotleson, who started at Starwood working in food and beverage in Scottsdale at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in 2007, followed her passion to Human Resources at The Phoenician in 2010, and after completing the Associate Development Program in 2011 she assisted with the opening of The Westin Snowmass Resort in Colorado. She continued to advance her career as the Human Resources Manager for the Aloft Tucson University in 2012 and then accepted a role supporting regional Human Resources in late 2013.
“ADP has opened many doors by providing me new experiences and creating a network of wonderful mentors and business partners to help me navigate my career and reach my potential,” Spotleson said. “The program has given me on-property and regional opportunities as well as wide industry experience by working at a Five Diamond resort, opening and transitioning hotels, and providing regional support to our hotels.”
Starwood’s UpSkill America 2015 Goals
Through UpSkill America, Starwood commits to enhancing its Associate Development Program through greater exposure and training for job growth opportunities, graduating 100 ADP participants in 2015, and rolling out the expanded program to its entire North America portfolio of more than 500 owned, managed and franchise properties. As part of the expanded program, Starwood will track hotel participation, graduation rates, and career progression of participants following graduation.
“ADP will not only prepare front-line associates for critical job advancement opportunities, but it also will contribute to increased retention among high-potential associates and foster collaboration among departments within a property,” said Erica Reidy, Director of Learning and Development for the Americas at Starwood. “We’re excited by the opportunity to participate in UpSkill America and I’m looking forward to sharing our best practices and learning from other company leaders.”
Starwood Preferred Guest App for Apple Watch Unlocks New Level of Access for Members
Apple Watch lets you order an Uber, check into your flight, make a dinner reservation and now for the first time ever you can open your hotel room door all with the flick of the wrist. Starting today, members of Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., have instant access to the #spglife thanks to the SPG App for Apple Watch.
Marrying high-tech and high-touch, the SPG app for Apple Watch is designed to anticipate and respond to the in-the-moment needs of guests from mobile check in, to opening their guest room door, to providing information like the hotel address, room number, confirmation number, and directions and SPG account information with just a glance of the wrist.
“We’re committed to mobile and digital innovation and are excited to be the first hotel company to let guests check in and open their hotel room door with their Apple Watch,” said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “In today’s mobile world, people increasingly expect their technology to help them do whatever they need on the spot. Apple Watch allows us to engage with our guests and give them the information they need instantaneously in a simple yet extremely stylish way.”
A tap of the finger gives instant access to in-the-moment features including:
- Navigate like a Native: Leveraging state-aware technology, guests receive the hotel address and directions in both the default and the local language upon arrival in their destination city. Throughout a guest’s stay, the app shares transportation options including estimated costs.
- Hassle-Free Check-in: Reservation details and confirmation number are front and center, ensuring a smooth check-in.
- Unlock Your Stay: After registering for SPG Keyless, the Apple Watch will automatically send guests their room number and will function as their hotel room key at any SPG Keyless enabled Starwood hotel allowing guests to bypass the front desk (where available).
- See into the Future: The app will display the hotel name, photo, and stay dates for up to four upcoming Starwood stays.
- Track Your Status: Members can access their SPG account information, receive alerts about newly posted Starpoints, and get congratulated when they graduate to elevated statuses
- You’re Speaking My Language: Currently available in English, the SPG App for Apple Watch willfeature Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish languages.
SPG Members Increasingly Ditch the Key Card – SPG Keyless Up and Running in 100+ Hotels
In November, Starwood redefined the age-old way guests arrive and check-in to their rooms with the introduction of SPG Keyless, the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smartphone as a key. Starwood partnered with ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, to create an all-new, Bluetooth-enabled lock and keyless software, which are designed to securely recognize and connect with a guest’s mobile device and now Apple Watch.
“We know guests expect service and convenience in the palm of their hand and now it’s available at the flick of the wrist,” added Vondrasek. “Member response to SPG Keyless has been terrific and grows every day as we continue to roll out this functionality around the globe.”
More than 130,000 SPG members in 130 countries have registered for SPG Keyless. Currently available in more than 100 Aloft, Element and W hotels, SPG Keyless is rapidly rolling out and will soon be available on 30,000 doors in 150 Aloft, Element and W hotels around the globe.
Photo caption: Starwood Hotels & Resorts – SPG App for Apple Watch (Photo: Business Wire).
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
