Nancy Johnson, CHA, past chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), and executive vice president of development of the Americas at the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, donated $5,000 for the third consecutive year to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) Annual Giving Campaign. Johnson, an AH&LEF board member, has been a supporter of the Foundation and its Annual Giving Campaign for more than a decade.

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 have been raised through the campaigns, and the Foundation is scheduled to disburse more than $1 million this year.

"One of my biggest priorities is ensuring the lodging industry attracts the best and brightest to its workforce," said Johnson. "Through the important work of the Foundation, including scholarships and workforce development initiatives, future hoteliers receive the training and support they need to excel in our industry."

Carlson and the Carlson Family Foundation are the highest donors to the Annual Giving Campaign, and among the top supporters of AH&LEF's last two major capital giving campaigns and annual fundraising events.

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 more than $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, more than $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, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org.

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