Carlson And The Carlson Family Foundation Donates $25,000

Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation have donated $25,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2010 Annual Giving Campaign, continuing Carlson Hotels’ longtime support of AH&LEF.

Carlson Hotels, a major business unit of Carlson, and the 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.

“Founder Curtis Carlson fostered a deep sense of community and spirit of giving that clearly continues to this day,” said Foundation president/COO, Joori Jeon, CPA, CAE. “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 distribute $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 2009, AH&LEF disbursed $1.2 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 $14 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 Christa Boatman, manager of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3139 or [email protected] or visit .

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research.

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly 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.