HB ON THE SCENE: Carlson Kicks Off 2004 Conference With Emphasis On Brand Building, Global Partnerships

ARUBA— Carlson Hotels Worldwide kicked off its annual conference here with approximately 600 attendees and a focus on building the company’s branded hotels worldwide, but not ignoring the issue of how the hospitality industry can come together to help fight world causes. Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels, set the tone of the three-day event by saying, “Here at Carlson we are truly about change. We are about internal change and external change. Here in the Americas, we have found a rebirth [in travel]. Things are getting better,” he told the audience. Witzel said Carlson is focusing on four objectives that it will communicate during the event: engagement, transformation, growth and re-investment. “Owners, we depend on you to be the company to represent us in the far flung empire of the 880 hotels around the globe,” he said, adding that hotel owners must engage in communications with their employees, customers and even with Carlson executives. Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of Rezidor SAS, then took the stage to give an update on the company, which has a master franchise agreement with Carlson. In 2004, Rezidor expects to have 223 properties, representing 40,000 rooms overseas in 43 countries, Ritter said. By 2012, he said it will have 700 properties, representing 100,000 rooms in 55 plus countries. Much of this growth will come from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, in addition to selective properties in Europe, Ritter said. Recent openings include the 880- room Park Inn in Heathrow, London; and the 168-room Dariush Grand Hotel in Kish, Iran, he said, adding this property is not yet branded, but will be once sanctions are lifted. On a humane note, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies, then unveiled the company’s partnership with the World Childhood Foundation to help end exploitation of children worldwide. Beginning in October 2004, guests staying at participating Carlson Hotels Worldwide brand properties will be invited to “Make Room In Your Heart For Kids” and donate $1 per nights stay to benefit the WCF. Of the funds collected, 20% will stay in the local community and be donated to children’s charities, while the remaining 80% will be donated to the WCF. “These are the best of times and the worst of times and we can make a difference,” she said.