Carlson - The Americas Announces Realignment and New Leaders
To Support Guest Experience Strategies
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, September 21, 2006. Carlson Hotels Worldwide - The Americas (CHAM) announced company realignment to support its customer- centered strategies, which includes the creation of a dedicated research and development team, a guest experience and brand standards area, and new leaders.
Kevin Hanstad has joined the team as vice president of Customer Research & Insights; Bret Smith, formerly vice president of Construction, has taken on a new role of vice president of Product & Design; and Jim Grimshaw has been promoted to vice president of Guest Experience and Brand Standards. Carlson Hotels Worldwide portfolio of brands includes Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R), Park Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(sm) and Park Inn(R).
"We are taking a holistic look at how our guests experience our hotels. With solid data to drive our decisions, we will develop new prototypes for Radisson and evolve our older Country Inns & Suites," Carlson Hotels President Yvonne La Penotiere said. "The realignment of our teams around the customer is key to our ability to excel in this rapidly changing and dynamic hospitality marketplace."




Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at