AH&LEF News: Carlson and the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Donates $30,000

Annual Giving Campaign Receives Third Record-Breaking Donation

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. June 04, 2012

Washington - May 31, 2012 - Carlson and the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation donated $25,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2012 Annual Giving Campaign for the third consecutive year, continuing Carlson's longtime support of AH&LEF. Additionally, Carlson and the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation donated $5,000 for a scholarship in honor of Nancy Johnson, executive vice president, Development, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, a major business unit of Carlson, and the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation collectively donated more than $1 million to AH&LEF's last two major capital giving campaigns, including the New Century Campaign in 2001, which raised $9 million for specific industry initiatives such as workforce development, school-to-career, and technology research. Additionally, Carlson has been a cornerstone participant in AH&LEF's annual fundraising events for more than a decade. In 2003, the Carlson family was recognized at AH&LEF's Dinner Tribute, which raised more than $50,000 in proceeds to benefit the industry.

“Our founder, Curt Carlson fostered a deep sense of community and spirit of giving that clearly continues to this day,” said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “This record-breaking Annual Giving Campaign gift is yet another example of Carlson's deep commitment to our industry and the education of its future leaders.”

The Annual Giving Campaign is AH&LEF's key yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AH&LEF's core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offer grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promote hospitality as a career of choice. Thousands has been raised through the campaigns, and the Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $1 million this year.

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2011, AH&LEF disbursed $886,000 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties. Since the Foundation's inception, approximately $15 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

All AH&LEF contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or [email protected] or visit www.ahlef.org.

Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.