Curtis C. Nelson Inducted into Conrad Hilton College Hospitality Hall of Honor

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. October 14, 2008

HOUSTON, TX, October 11, 2005. Curtis C. Nelson, president and chief operating officer of Carlson Companies, will continue his family's tradition and receive one of the hospitality industry's top honors when he is inducted into the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor tonight in Houston, Texas.

The Hall of Honor, located at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, pays tribute to the founders and leaders of the hotel, restaurant, and hospitality industry. A display about the life and achievements of each honoree is to be unveiled in the Hall of Honor.

"Receiving this honor is very meaningful to me. I appreciate being recognized by my peers, who are outstanding ambassadors for hospitality companies throughout the world," Nelson said. "Our industry is exciting, customer-focused and has a brilliant future. I am pleased to be among those that will have the opportunity to influence our industry's future leadership through my relationship with students from the University of Houston and other leading educational institutions."

Carlson Companies founder Curtis L. Carlson, Nelson's grandfather, was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 1997. Nelson's mother, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, current Carlson chairman and chief executive officer, was inducted in 2001.

Nelson will be inducted with Stephen F. Bollenbach, chief executive officer, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Joe R. Lee, chairman of the board, Darden Restaurants. Past honorees have included Conrad Hilton, founder of Hilton Hotels; Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns; Vernon Stouffer, founder of the frozen-food, hotel and restaurant corporation; Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's Corporation, and Walt Disney, founder of The Walt Disney Company.

A History of Industry Leadership Nelson has been active in leadership roles in various business groups, industry associations and in philanthropic causes. He is a member of the Travel Business Roundtable, a coalition of 70 business leaders representing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry with governmental initiatives. He is also a member of the executive committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and attends the World Economic Forum, which has selected him as a Global Leader for Tomorrow.

Nelson launched the Experience Lodging Initiative of the American Hotel and Lodging Association to implement strategies that attract and retain the most talented and diverse workers for America's hospitality industry. He also has been a key contributor to the American Hotel and Lodging Foundation and its New Century Fund.

In addition, Nelson is the recipient of the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute in which he was cited for his commitment to advancing the cause of minorities, women and people with disabilities.

Nelson serves on the advisory board of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management of the University of Delaware and the advisory board of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and Cornell University. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Johnson and Wales University, Niagara University and Cornell University.

Began Career As A Dishwasher

Nelson's interest in the hospitality industry started as a youth when he was employed by a family-style restaurant as a dishwasher. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

In 1995, Nelson was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide. He was promoted to president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide on January 1, 1997, and named president of Carlson Companies in March 2003.

In addition to honoring individuals for their leadership, the Hall of Honor serves as an educational resource for students pursuing a career in hospitality management and others interested in learning about the industry.