The Soon to Open Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Hotel

Hotel opens in mid-August; takes a modern approach to building a hotel staff

. October 14, 2008

LOMBARD, IL, May 17, 2007. The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Hotel, a new 500-room property along with Harry Caray's and Holy Mackerel Restaurants that will open in mid-August, is taking an innovative, personal approach to the hiring of its 325-person staff. The hotel is opening a new recruitment office, which will open its doors May 15 in the newly renovated Yorktown Center Mall, Suite 224, 630-261-1145.

During this 90-day recruitment period, the management team will be able to introduce the new hotel to prospective associates so they can determine if it is the right environment for them. Similarly, the hotel management team will have a full opportunity to talk with candidates and gain a better understanding of their background and penchant for working in a fast-paced fully equipped convention-oriented hotel. Westin's goal is to staff the hotel with talented, personable associates with positive attitudes who will flourish in the Westin culture, which is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The recruitment office, being located inside the Yorktown Center Mall, will also give a marketing boost to the new Westin since it provides great exposure and will help build top of mind awareness among local residents and businesspeople.

"We've come a long way since the days when hotel staffing was more of a job fair which involved mass hiring in a chaotic atmosphere rather than the thorough and calmly-paced program we're launching now," said Diane Wnek, human resources director for the hotel. Wnek couldn't help but recall the opening of the highly anticipated Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers (another Starwood property) fifteen years ago when it made national news because, over a three day period, several thousand people applied for the 1000 available jobs, many of whom stood in line outside in a winter storm on the first day and still didn't get a chance to interview due to the overwhelming amount of applicants.

For the brand new Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, the hiring process will be radically different-and far better-for everyone involved. "This is the first time a Starwood property in Illinois has opened a completely furnished, comfortable and professional recruitment office and is taking the time to find the right people," said Wnek. "We're in the hospitality business-so it makes good sense for the Westin Lombard, from day one, to show potential associates the reason we have earned a great reputation for our hospitality and service. Job applicants will be treated with the same courtesy and respect we would give to our guests."

The recruitment office, located inside the Yorktown Center Mall, features comfortable couches, chairs, attractive lighting and other touches of hospitality. In the application area there will be computers for job candidates to fill out online job applications. The recruitment office will be staffed with a minimum of two people at all times so that applicants needing assistance filling out the computer-based application can get the help they need. Applicants who prefer to fill out the application at home on their computer over the internet can also do so.

The recruitment office will also feature attractive signage with large Westin brand oriented photographs and renderings of the new hotel. There will be actual uniforms on site so candidates can see what they will be wearing on the job. "It's all about personalization in the hiring process," said Wnek. "We're clearly building a hotel culture from the ground up and we want to hire people who are enthusiastic about what we're doing. At the same time, we need to feel confident our new hires will be a good fit for the Westin." The recruitment process will be motivational, too, the office is decorated with slogans that have become part of Westin's winning spirit: Belong to Team Westin; Evolve and Grow; Deliver and Win.

"I truly believe that this recruitment office will surprise and delight our potential associates," said hotel general manager Brent Menzel. "They will get an immediate understanding of the Westin Brand and the culture we are trying to create for our associates and guests."

The job interview area will be attractively appointed to facilitate cordial and candid discussions with candidates. "We believe that the hiring of our staff is an important responsibility for the entire hotel management team," said Wnek. "Every manager will participate in the interviewing and screening process." To take best advantage of candidates' time, hotel managers will conduct pre-screening interviews as soon as the job application is filled out. Candidates with limited time are welcome to schedule a pre-screening interview at a later date if they prefer. Follow up interviews will also be conducted at the recruitment office.

The official opening of the recruitment office is May 15. The office will be open seven days a week to accommodate people who are currently working. "Since the first day for the associates at the Westin Lombard won't be until August 1, we don't want people to jeopardize their current jobs," explained Wnek. The hours of the office are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Thursday the office will remain open until 9 p.m. On the weekends the recruitment office will be open from noon to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

For more information about the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Hotel's recruitment office,

please contact Ms. Diane Wnek at the recruitment office. The telephone number is 630-261-1145 or send an email to [email protected].

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Editor's note: media tours of the recruitment office are available beginning May 14. If you are interested in visiting the center and/or interviewing the staff, please contact Dara Shlifka at Kurman Communications, Inc. You can reach Dara at (312) 651-9000 or send an email to [email protected]. Photographs of the recruitment office will be available soon; please contact Dara if you need them.

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