Curt Carlson
Curt Carlson was born in Minnesota on July 9th, 1914 and is the Entrepreneur. At the age of 84, Curt Carlson biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 84 years old, Curt Carlson physical status not available right now. We will update Curt Carlson's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.
Curtis Leroy "Curt" Carlson, an American businessman and founder of Carlson and Radisson Hotel Group, died on February 19, 1999.
Early life and education
Carlson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the nephew of Charles and Leatha Carlson. Charles Carlson, a Swedish-American immigrant who arrived in Minnesota as a child, was born in Downing, Wisconsin, of a Danish father and Swedish mother. Curt began his career with Procter & Gamble after receiving a BA in Economics from the University of Minnesota, where he served as President and Recruitment Chair for Sigma Phi Epsilon's fraternity-MN Alpha chapter.
Career
Carlson began working with Procter & Gamble and then formed the Gold Bond Stamp Company in 1938. Carlson's "Gold Bond Stamps," a trade stamp rewards scheme, was used to gain customer appreciation for grocery stores. Carlson was the first entrepreneur to introduce a rewards scheme for the supermarket chain by issuing trading stamps. What started out as a simple rewards system for grocers in the Midwest, has since developed to become one of the biggest service providers of frequent customer/buyer programs in a variety of retail and hospitality industries.
Carlson expanded his reach by purchasing the downtown Minneapolis Radisson Hotel in 1960 and converting it into a national chain. He has also invested in TGI Fridays, Carlson Leisure Group, and hundreds of other hospitality companies.
In honor of his $25 million gift, the most single gift to a public university at that time, the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota has been named for him. Curt Carlson built an estate in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, that was later turned into a business resort for corporations.
Awards
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Linnean Medal presented by H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden
- Viking Baron Award from the American Swedish Cultural Foundation
- Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, 1977
- Horatio Alger Award; the Swedish-American of the Year Award, Stockholm, Sweden in 1981
- Chairperson Emeriti of the Swedish Council of America from 1985 to 1989
- Town and Country magazine Philanthropist of the Year Award, 1987–1988
- International Citizen of the Year Award from the City of Minneapolis
- 1989 Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame inductee
- 1995 DeMolay International Hall of Fame