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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Although travel is a rewarding and fun experience, jet lag, exotic foods, and long hours sitting on a plane or cooped up in business meetings can take their toll. Clearly, this is not the time to stint on exercise. But exercising in the summer heat, especially in an unfamiliar climate, requires special vigilance. Here are some guidelines.  By Phyllis McIntosh.
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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.

Tall Timber Days
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, August 7–8

A lumberjack show, chain-saw carving and local crafts pay tribute to the area’s logging heritage, while children’s street games, a footrace, a bingo tent, food booths and musical entertainment entice action-oriented visitors. (218-326-3231)

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival

El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, Minnesota, August 12-15

Highlights of 31st annual Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival include music on five stages and workshops at El Rancho Mañana Campground, 20 miles west of St. Cloud. This family friendly festival also offers talent showcases and nightly dances in the Showcase Tent. (800-635-3037)

 Minnesota State Fair
St. Paul, August 26–September 6

This popular fair contains all the necessary elements for summer enjoyment: roller-coaster rides, live grandstand concerts and 300 culinary concessionaires, whose treats include 36 kinds of food-on-a-stick. Minnesota’s annual fair has missed only five years since it was first held in 1859. (651-288-4400)

Indian Summer Festival
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 10–12

If fry bread and buffalo burgers pique your interest, come see what else you’ll find at the country’s largest Native American cultural gathering. Intertribal dances, artisan demonstrations, professional dance groups and popular indigenous music all play their part in this
celebration. (414-604-1000)

BamFest

Belleville, Wisconsin, September 18

Celebrate the blues on the banks of scenic Lake Belleville, where the west branch meets the main branch of the Sugar River.

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.

From Independence Hall where the Founding Fathers signed their famous Declaration, to Penn’s Landing, where William Penn first dropped anchor, Philadelphia’s Old City District remains true to the vision that sparked its development so many years ago.
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Gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and red beans and rice. They’re some of the signature dishes of southern Louisiana cuisine. But do you know which are Cajun and which are Creole?  By  Julie Burnham

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As I drive along the western edge of the Steamtown National Historic Site parking lot, I have no doubt about the focus. On my left looms a row of massive railroad locomotives, mighty machines that relied on steam to create motion. They are an impressive reminder of a bygone age in railroad history, when steam engines ruled the rails in the United States and elsewhere.  By James D. Porterfield
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