2011

Radisson was named a Web Performance Gold Award Winner by Compuware Corporation as part of its annual Gomez Web and Mobile Performance Awards. Carlson launched Club CarlsonSM, a new hospitality program that replaced goldpoints plusSM with an enriched array of first-class redemption opportunities, making it one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in travel. Rezidor Hotel Group was named as one of the Ethisphere Institutes Most Ethical Companies Carlson's Park Plaza brand was voted the Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand at the Outlook Traveller Awards in New Delhi, India.

2010

Carlson Hotels announced Ambition 2015, a global growth strategy aimed at expanding its portfolio by at least 50 percent by 2015 to more than 1,500 hotels in operation. Carlson Hotels acquired majority stake in RHW Hotel Management Services, a key Indian partner, and announced its plans to triple the size of its portfolio in India by 2012. Carlson Hotels announced that Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM achieved the 500th hotel mark with the opening of its property in College Station, Texas. Carlson and the Rezidor Hotel Group AB announced that they entered into a definitive agreement with Formosa International Hotels Corporation (FIHC) under which FIHC will acquire the Regent luxury hotel business. Carlson Hotels, Americas, announced plans to open its first Radisson Blu in Chicagos Aqua skyscraper. Carlson ownership of the Rezidor Hotel Group reached 50.1 percent. The Rezidor Group celebrated its 50th anniversary. Carlson Hotels announced plans for second Radisson Blu flagship hotel in the U.S. to be located adjacent to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Carlson announced its plans to increase the number of Radisson hotels in Asia Pacific to more than 100 hotels by 2015.

2009

A comprehensive strategy was created to reposition the Radisson brand in the Americas, aligning it with the global Radisson portfolio as a leader in the upscale category. Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM celebrated the opening of its first hotel in New York City. Carlson ownership of the Rezidor Hotel Group reached 44.4 percent.

2008

Carlson Hotels celebrated the opening of its 1,000th location, the Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina and Spa. Hubert Joly was named president and chief executive officer of Carlson, assuming this role from Marilyn Carlson Nelson.

2007

Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM celebrated its 20th anniversary, having grown from one location to 436 properties. Carlson increased its ownership of the Rezidor Hotel Group to 41.7 percent.

2006

Carlson purchased additional shares in the Rezidor Hotel Group to increase its ownership to 35 percent.

2005

Carlson Hotels acquired 25 percent ownership in the Rezidor Hotel Group.

2003

Park Inn unveiled a colorful new logo that provided a graphic representation of the colorful and vibrant design concepts offered by the brand. Expansion of the brand accelerated in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

2002

Carlson Hotels announced a new global structure and the creation of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific.

2000

Carlson Hotels acquired the Park Plaza and Park Inn brands from Olympus Hospitality Group, growing the total number of Carlson brands to five. The Radisson brand reached the 400-location milestone while introducing a contemporary new logo.

1990s

The global hotel portfolio surpassed the 500-location landmark, ending the year with 556 locations. In 1998, Marilyn Carlson Nelson was named president and chief executive officer of Carlson, taking on this role from company founder Curtis L. Carlson. Carlson acquired the Regent hotel brand from Four Seasons Hotels, expanding the hotel portfolio to three brands. A partnership agreement with Edwardian Hotels was established. In 1994, a new partnership agreement was signed between Radisson and SAS International Hotels, creating a new brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA): Radisson SAS.

Radisson opened the first American-managed resort in Russia in the Black Sea city of Sochi, Russia. In 1992, after 30 years of growth, Radisson reached 280 properties with more than 66,000 guest rooms in 25 countries. In 1991, Radisson global expansion continued with the opening of the Radisson Slavjanskaya Hotel Moscow, the first American-managed hotel in the former Soviet Union.

1980s

In 1987, the new Radisson Plaza Hotel opened in downtown Minneapolis on the site of the original Radisson Hotel. The first Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM opened in Burnsville, Minn. In 1986, Carlson announced plans for Country Lodging By CarlsonSM, a new limitedservice lodging concept.

1970s

Carlson began expanding its Radisson hotel business with its owned and managed hotel strategy. Early Radisson locations included Denver, Colo.; Bloomington, Plymouth, Grand Portage, St. Paul, Alexandria and Duluth, Minn.; Omaha, Neb.; Kansas City and Wichita, Kan.; Cypress Gardens, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Danvers, Mass.; Wilmington, Del.; and Nashville, Tenn.

1960s

In 1962, Curt Carlson acquired total ownership of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, marking the official entrance of Carlson Companies into the hotel business. In 1960, Curt Carlson acquired 50 percent ownership of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.