Starwood Wins Honor on Its First Nomination
SHANGHAI, Jan. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific recently won the “Best Leadership Practices” award at the 17th China Talent Awards ceremony held in Suzhou, recognizing its outstanding “Starwood Careers” program. This marks another significant industry accolade for the company.
Established in 1998, the China Talent Awards is one of the most prestigious human resources awards in Greater China, often referred to as the “Oscars of the HR industry.” The “Best Leadership Practices” award specifically honors companies and institutions that have implemented clear talent selection, motivation, and development strategies across all employee levels, and have executed them exceptionally well. It also acknowledges outstanding talent training and mentorship programs that help cultivate future industry leaders and ensure sustainable business growth.
Director of Human Resources, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific Dylan Choong said: “We are grateful to the esteemed judges and jury members for granting us this high honor. This award is truly an encouragement for us and a recognition of our ‘Starwood Careers’ talent management and development program. It not only affirms our efforts in nurturing future leaders in the hospitality industry, but also pays tribute to our dedicated mentors and colleagues. Over the years, they have been tirelessly implementing the initiatives under this program.”
The “Starwood Careers” program was specifically designed for Starwood Asia Pacific to address the unique needs of the region. By adopting a comprehensive and strategic approach to talent management and development, the program proactively builds Starwood’s future talent pipeline. Since its launch in 2003, the program has trained over 10,000 employees. In 2014 alone, more than 3,000 employees in the Asia Pacific region benefited from the program.
Although this was Starwood Asia Pacific’s first time participating in the China Talent Awards, it emerged as one of the 13 companies honored with this annual award. This recognition highlights the exceptional performance of the awardees in key areas of human capital management and development. At the same ceremony, Starwood was also shortlisted as a finalist for the “Best Loyalty & Retention Practices” award for its “Starwood Cares” program. The “Starwood Cares” program reflects the company’s commitment to creating a more caring and supportive work environment. This award recognizes the successful and meaningful approaches adopted by winning companies to retain their most valuable employees.
To date, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific has received over 20 awards and honors in the areas of employee engagement, talent development, training, and best employer. Among the accolades earned in 2014 were:
- Best Employee Engagement Award — 2014 Human Resource Management Awards;
- Top 10 Best Leadership Development Award — 2014 Human Resource Management Awards;
- Excellence in Employee Development Award — 2014 Human Resource Excellence Awards;
- Top 10 Excellence in Leadership Development Award — 2014 Human Resource Excellence Awards;
- Best Talent Development Company Award — 2014 China Training Magazine.
Starwood remains one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in the Asia Pacific region. Currently, Starwood operates over 280 hotels and has more than 220 hotels in the pipeline. Since January 2014, Starwood has opened over 18 new hotels, covering all nine of its distinctive lifestyle hotel brands.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading companies in the world’s hotel and leisure industry, with more than 1,200 properties in 100 countries and territories and over 181,400 associates in its owned and managed properties. A global leader in hospitality, Starwood is a fully integrated company that owns, operates, and franchises hotels, resorts, and residences, including globally renowned brands such as St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. Starwood also boasts the industry-leading and award-winning SPG loyalty program, which allows members to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, room upgrades, and flights — with no blackout dates. Additionally, Starwood owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., whose villa-style resorts and brand-exclusive privileges deliver world-class vacation experiences. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/cn.