CARLSON  CONTINUES EXPANSION OF COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON^SM WITH OPENING OF FIRST BEACHFRONT HOTEL IN TEXAS 

 GALVESTON, Texas (July 9, 2010) – Carlson, a privately-held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM in Texas. The opening of Country Inn & Suites, Galveston Beach, Texas marks the brand’s accelerated expansion in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 growth strategy and is the brand’s first beachfront location in the state.

“With 17 Country Inns & Suites hotels in the state and more than 220 locations in the southern United States, the brand has established a strong footprint in the region,” said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. “We are focused on building momentum in North America and India as we increase our portfolio of hotels over the next five years.”

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home, and many distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Friends Hosting Friends^SM employee training program that has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high guest satisfaction. 

“We are thrilled to be joining the Country Inns & Suites family and are confident that the consistency, value and leadership of this brand and the Carlson Hotels system will result in a successful future for this hotel,” said Dimplejit Singh, owner and general manager of the Country Inn & Suites, Galveston, Texas. 

The 100 percent non-smoking hotel features an indoor pool and whirlpool, a fitness center and meeting space for up to 20 people.  The 60-room hotel features whirlpool suites, one-bedroom suites, studio suites and guest rooms featuring complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and flat panel televisions. 

Galveston is located 55 miles south of Houston. The hotel is on the famous Galveston Seawall Boulevard at 29^th St.

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1-800-456-4000.

MINNESOTA HOTELS ADOPT LIFE-SAVING SOAP-RECYCLING PROGRAM

Orlando, FL — Thursday, July 15, 2010 — Owning and operating hotels can be grueling.  But the work can be rewarding when there is an opportunity to give back to others – just ask Jami Pogue, CEO of Southern Hospitality Inc., operator of two Minneapolis-St. Paul area hotels that recently adopted Clean the World’s soap-recycling program. 

“My family grew up in the hospitality industry, cleaning rooms and working the front desk, before we got into management,” said Pogue.  “We always hated throwing the barely used soaps away, and we are thrilled that the soap from our hotels will now go to people in need.”

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CARLSON CONTINUES EXPANSION OF COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON^SM WITH OPENING OF 18^th HOTEL IN TEXAS 

 GEORGETOWN, Texas (July 14, 2010) – Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM in Texas. The opening of Country Inn & Suites, Georgetown, Texas marks the brand’s expansion in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 growth strategy.

“With 18 Country Inns & Suites hotels in the state and more than 220 locations in the southern United States, the brand has established a strong footprint in the region,” said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. “We are focused on building momentum in North America and India as we increase our portfolio of hotels over the next five years.”

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home, and many distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Friends Hosting Friends^SM employee training program that has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high guest satisfaction.  

“We are thrilled to be joining the Country Inns & Suites family and are confident that the consistency, value and leadership of this brand and the Carlson Hotels system will result in a successful future for this hotel,” said Bimal Daftary, owner/partner of the Country Inn & Suites, Georgetown, Texas. 

The 100 percent non-smoking hotel features an outdoor pool and a fitness center.  Theater style meeting space is available for up to 20 people. The 76-room hotel features whirlpool rooms, one-bedroom suites and guest rooms featuring complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and flat panel televisions. 

The hotel is conveniently located east of Interstate 35, just 30 miles north of Austin, the capital of Texas. Georgetown is home to Southwestern University, the oldest university in Texas.

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1-800-456-4000.

CARLSON HOTELS RAPIDLY EXPANDS COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON^SM WITH OPENING OF 12^th HOTEL IN ALABAMA 

 SARALAND, Ala. (June 16, 2010) – Carlson Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM in Alabama. The opening of Country Inn & Suites Saraland, Ala. marks the brand’s accelerated expansion in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 growth strategy.

“With 12 Country Inns & Suites hotels in the state and more than 220 locations in the southern United States, the brand has established a strong footprint in the region,” said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. “We are focused on building momentum in North America and India as we increase our portfolio of hotels over the next five years.”

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home, and many distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Friends Hosting Friends^SM employee training program that has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high overall guest satisfaction. 

“We are thrilled to be joining the Country Inns & Suites family and are confident that the consistency, value and leadership of this brand and the Carlson Hotels system will result in a successful future for this hotel,” said Larry Wright, owner of the Country Inn & Suites, Saraland, Ala. 

The 100 percent non-smoking hotel features an outdoor pool and whirlpool, and a fitness center. The 60-room hotel features one-bedroom suites, extended stay suites and guest rooms featuring complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and flat screen televisions. 

The hotel is located 10 miles from downtown Mobile. 

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1-800-456-4000.

CARLSON CONTINUES EXPANSION OF COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON^SM WITH OPENING OF 13^th HOTEL IN ALABAMA 

 MADISON, Ala. (July 15, 2010) – Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM in Alabama. The opening of Country Inn & Suites, Madison, Alabama, marks the brand’s expansion in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 growth strategy.

“With 13 Country Inns & Suites hotels in the state and more than 220 locations in the southern United States, the brand has established a strong footprint in the region,” said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. “We are focused on building momentum in North America and India as we increase our portfolio of hotels over the next five years.”

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home, and many distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Friends Hosting Friends^SM employee training program that has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high guest satisfaction.  

“We are thrilled to be joining the Country Inns & Suites family and are confident that the consistency, value and leadership of this brand and the Carlson Hotels system will result in a successful future for this hotel,” said Kiran Patel, owner and GM of the Country Inn & Suites, Madison, Alabama. 

The hotel features an indoor pool, whirlpool and a fitness center. Meeting space is available for up to 45 people. The 64-room hotel features whirlpool rooms, extended stay suites, one-bedroom suites, studio suites, and guest rooms featuring complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and flat panel televisions. 

The hotel is less than one mile from Huntsville International Airport.

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1-800-456-4000.

St. Peters, Mo. (June 15, 2010) – Carlson Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced the further expansion of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM in Missouri. The opening of Country Inn & Suites, St. Peters, Mo. marks the brand’s accelerated expansion in the region as part of its Ambition 2015 growth strategy.

“With four Country Inns & Suites hotels in the state and more than 175 locations in the Midwest, the brand has established a strong footprint in the region,” said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. “We are focused on building momentum in North America and India as we increase our portfolio of hotels over the next five years.”

Country Inns & Suites offers caring, consistent, comfortable hospitality with a touch of home, and many distinctive product and service innovations, such as the Friends Hosting Friends^SM employee training program that has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high overall guest satisfaction.  

“We are thrilled to be joining the Country Inns & Suites family and are confident that the consistency, value and leadership of this brand and the Carlson Hotels system will result in a successful future for this hotel,” said Dinesh Patel, owner of the Country Inn & Suites, St. Peters, Mo. 

The 100 percent non-smoking hotel features an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, business center and meeting space for up to 50 guests. The 63-room hotel offers studio suites, one-bedroom suites, executive king rooms, whirlpool suites, extended stay suites and guest rooms featuring complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, microwave, refrigerator and flat screen televisions. 

The hotel is located 12 miles from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

For reservations and information, visit www.countryinns.com or call toll-free +1-800-456-4000.

So many announcements, such little time — what with the 1K Country Adventure earlier this month, I’ve barely had time to post about the other exciting goings-on in our Country!  But today I’m coming at you with the trifecta of new hotels.  I am very pleased to announce the opening of: OKLAHOMA CITY NORTH, OKLAHOMA,  CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA, and COLUMBIA AT HARBISON, SOUTH CAROLINA!
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Here’s what I love about technology — not only have these brave families been guided COMPLETELY be Smart Phone, GPS, and Twitter, but I’m writing this update from the PLANE, en route to go meet them at the finish.  My destination remains top secret – but only for another day – and I can’t wait to give my new friends a great big hug.  Although sometimes it seems that technology makes it too easy for humans to NOT interact with each other, I think the little virtual community we’ve crafted is a great example of how technology makes the world smaller, and brings us closer together in ways we otherwise wouldn’t experience.

Day 5’s adventures started by experiencing Kansas City’s beautiful fountains.  Fun fact?  Only ROME, ITALY has more fountains than Kansas City.  Pretty cool, huh?   Then they headed off to Lawrence, Kansas for a sweet treat (Unfortunately Sylas & Maddies ice cream wasn’t open early enough for two of our famlies, but at least the Williams kiddos got to enjoy a cone!).  Next up?  The Kansas Aviation Museum, which just looks incredibly cool… that’s where our day wrapped up, and the gang was off to rest their weary heads at the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, OKlahoma City Airport! 

Sharlene, Kara, and Ross all had great wrap-ups after yesterday’s adventures, and I cannot wait to see what today has in store for them!

It has been so amazing to watch these adventures – and to watch the families get to know each other. If there is one thing I’ve learned over my many years of blogging, it is that friendships can be strong and powerful, even if you’ve never met face to face.  I know that our social media savvy participants had local visitors throughout this journey – people they’ve emailed, blogged, and tweeted with for years, who they finally got to meet face to face.  Having experienced that phenomenon myself over the years, I know the emotional feeling of giving a big warm hug to somebody for the first time that you’ve KNOWN for years. 

Case in point – en route to my (TOP SECRET!) destination tonight, I’ll be stopping off to have dinner with a woman I’ve been emailing with for about 5 years… who I’ve never laid eyes upon.  I “know” her, her husband, her children and her stories as well as if they lived next door, but this is the first time we’ll meet face to face.  I’ve had this experience several times now, and each and every time it feels as natural as spending time with old friends.  I’m confident that as time rolls on, The Earnshaws family, Williams famly, and Sveback family will remain close — both to each other, and to me!  

Something we strive to do at every single one of our hotels is to treat our like family – the familiarity, comfort and warmth that allows you to relax, unwind and be pampered for a while.  I can’t think of any better way to exemplify the feeling of family than by hanging out with these guys all weekend.  After all, there’s nothing that makes this girl happier than walking into a room filled with strangers – and leaving with 5 new best friends.  I said it the other day and I’ll say it again – from all of us at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson,  thank you for sharing your family with ours.

 I love this Country.
~Emily

 PS: Rumor has it that Sharlene’s blog posts have gotten some pickup on the USA Today’s website!  How cool is THAT!?

ROAD WARRIOR, that is.  Our road-trippin’ families are amazing, and I cannot believe how much ground they’ve covered since Sunday!

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri … All in THREE DAYS! 

I’m impressed (they’re exhausted). 

The shots below include a first Suite Stop at the famed St. Louis Arch – photo ops abound – where I’m told they were met by a camera crew from the local NBC affiliate, KSDK-TV.  The crew showed up to report on the adventure and wrote this article.  You can also view 1K Country KSDK Clip, showing the family enjoying the arch!  After journeying up all 630 feet of the arch and snapping a few pics, the families headed back down to earth… where they got their next Suite Stop: a trip down the very first strip of Interstate highway in the US.  Once the mini-roadtrip was over, they recieved something new: a Suite SIDE-TRIP, which allowed them to choose from two options: pedal, or putt. After the families enjoyed golf clubs & go-karts, they recieved their next Suite Stop, directing them to their home for the night: the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Kansas City Village West, located near shopping malls and Speedways.   But we’re not quite done yet!  One last Suite Stop ORDERS that our weary travelers get a good night’s sleep (easy to do in our awesome beds!), before continuing on Day 4 of the 1K Country Adventure!

Don’t forget to check the blogs:
Kara!
Sharlene!
Ross!

Half way there, gang… can’t wait to greet you at the finish…. wherever that may be!

I love this Country.
~Emily

It was another adventure-filled day for our 1K Country Crew!   Our fabulous road trippers woke up, snug in their beds in our beautiful Naperville, IL hotel and (cookies in hand), departed for destinations unknown.  At the end of the day, they arrived at our historic St. Charles, MO hotel.

There are a few pictures above highlighting their adventures – but take a minute to check out the beautiful camera work of the Suite Stops below, and have an adventure without ever leaving your chair. 

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