Carlson Hotels Worldwide Appoints Vice President of Responsible Business

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson Hotels Worldwide today
announced the appointment of Carmen Baker to the newly created role of vice
president of Responsible Business. Baker, who served most recently as vice
president of diversity for Carlson, will lead the company's initiatives in the
areas of corporate social responsibility including environment sustainability,
charitable giving and community relations.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080122/AQTU175)
The appointment was announced today by Jay Witzel, president and CEO of
Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "As we strive to build respected brands and admired
reputation with all of our stakeholders, this appointment reflects the
importance of Responsible Business initiatives in achieving this goal," said
Witzel. "Such areas as environmental responsibility have become a top priority
in today's travel industry and consumer marketplace."
Baker joined Carlson in 2001 as general manager of Reservations-Carlson
Hotels Worldwide managing the Omaha, Sidney and Mexico City reservation
centers. Under her leadership, the Carlson Hotels' Reservations Sales and
Services center in Omaha was named the top company on the "Best Places to Work
in Omaha" list by the Great Places to Work Institute. Carmen was named one of
the Top Blacks in the Lodging Industry by Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine.
In 2006, Carmen was recognized by the Business Journal as one of the top 10
minority executives in the Twin Cities.
Carmen is a past member of the Board of Directors of Family Services of
the Midlands, serving Iowa and Nebraska. She currently serves on the Board of
Directors for the Twin Cities-based Multicultural Development Center (MCDC)
and on the YMCA National Black Achievers Advisory Committee.
In 2005, she was promoted to vice president of diversity, and has served
in leadership roles within Carlson Hotels and the greater Carlson organization
during the past three years.
About Carlson Hotels
Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson,
a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the
marketing, travel and hospitality industries. Carlson Hotels operates hotels
under the banners of Regent(R) Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R);
Park Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM); and Park
Inn(R). Other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: T.G.I.
Friday's(R) restaurants, Regent Seven Seas Cruises(R), Carlson Wagonlit
Travel(R), and Carlson Marketing Worldwide(R), the largest relationship
marketing services company in the United States.
SOURCE Carlson Hotels Worldwide

Tom Polski, +1-763-212-5616, tpolski@carlson.com, or Laurie Bauer,
+1-763-212-5626, lbauer@carlson.com, both of Carlson Hotels Worldwide