Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation donated $25,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), giving a great kickoff to the 2014 Annual Giving Campaign. This is Carlson's fifth consecutive year donating at the highest level.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, 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.

"Our founder, Curt Carlson fostered a deep sense of community and spirit of giving that clearly continues to this day," said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. "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."

"We are so grateful to Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation for continuing their many years of support for AH&LEF at the highest level," said Joori Jeon, AH&LEF president/COO. "We need more industry leaders like Carlson who understand that their contributions ensure a strong workforce and cutting-edge research for the future of the industry."

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. Hundreds of thousands has been raised through the campaigns, and the Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $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 2013, AH&LEF disbursed over $1 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 $18.5 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 Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org.