The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) will present members of the Carlson family with…
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) will present members of the Carlson family with the fifth annual Hospitality Heritage Award during the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Fall Conference, November 7-11, in New York City. Considered one of the lodging industry`s most prestigious honors, the award acknowledges the family`s remarkable contributions to the travel and tourism community through Carlson Hospitality Worldwide and related companies.
The award will be presented at a black-tie-optional dinner on November 11 at The Regent Wall Street. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the educational and research missions of AH&LEF, the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA.
The company traces its roots to 1938, when entrepreneur Curt Carlson founded the Gold Bond Stamp Company in Minneapolis to help retailers build loyalty to their businesses and forge lasting relationships with customers. In 1962, Carlson entered the hospitality arena with the purchase of the original Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Carlson steadily grew his hotel portfolio first under the Radisson brand and later expanded to other lines including Regent, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Park Plaza and Park Inns.
Later, Carlson extended his interests into the travel industry with the purchase of the Ask Mr. Foster travel agencies, which are the genesis of today`s global Carlson Wagonlit travel organization. The company also acquired TGI Friday`s restaurants, which has grown to become a world leader in casual dining. The 1990s saw the company`s acquisition of a luxury cruise line, the Radisson Seven Seas. Recently, the company has formed key international partnerships with Rezidor SAS Hospitality to grow the Carlson hotel brands in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Upon Carlson`s retirement in 1998, daughter Marilyn Carlson Nelson was appointed chairman and chief executive officer – ultimately leading the business to record-setting heights and further international expansion. In March 2003, after more than a decade of leadership at the company, Curtis Nelson was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Carlson Companies – paving the way for a continued family succession.
The Carlsons are luminaries in the hospitality community, and we are pleased to honor them as recipients of this distinguished award. The family`s late founder and heirs are noted for their successful leadership and trendsetting ideas as well as philosophy of giving back to the industry and community. We look forward to honoring their legacy and years of dedicated service and commitment, said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.
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