MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 29, 2010 - Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced thatThorsten Kirschke will assume the role of chief operating officer for Carlson Hotels. Kirschke will also hold the title of president of Carlson Hotels, Americas. He will continue to report to Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer, Carlson.

Kirschke previously held the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer for Carlson Hotels, the Americas, where he was responsible for leading the strategy, management and key functional support areas for the four brands of Carlson Hotels in North America and Latin America. The brands include Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn® and Park Plaza®. With his promotion, he will now oversee and direct the revenue generation functions and hotel IT strategy on a global basis, in addition to his previous duties.

"Thorsten is playing a key role leading Carlson Hotels as part of our Ambition 2015 growth strategy in the Americas and I am confident he will succeed as his role expands into a global capacity," said Joly.

This new global role further underlines and supports the important investments being made to align operations and marketing initiatives around the globe.

Kirschke, who was born in Hannover, Germany, is a hospitality veteran with 23 years of experience. Prior to his position with Carlson Hotels, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Rezidor Hotel Group based inBrussels, Belgium. Carlson is the main shareholder of Rezidor, which is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world.

About Carlson
Carlson is a privately held, global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,075 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn® and Park Plaza®; more than 1,000 restaurants, including T.G.I. Friday's® and Pick Up Stix®; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 150,000 people.  http://www.carlson.com