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Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Expands its Commitment To Reading With Two-Year Sponsorship Of Emmy-Award Winning Reading Rainbow Program

September 13, 2007 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS -- Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, Inc. today announced an expanded commitment in promoting literacy and life-long learning by becoming a presenting sponsor of the Emmy-Award winning Reading Rainbow program featured on PBS television. The two-year, $500,000 sponsorship will assist Reading Rainbow fulfill their commitment to helping young children adopt positive reading habits, skills and attitudes. In addition, this commitment brings increased visibility to the Read It & Return Lending Libraries available in more than 400 Country Inn & Suites locations across the United States and Canada.

"Aligning our Read It & Return Lending Library with a critically-acclaimed series like Reading Rainbow adds instant credibility to our goal of promoting life-long learning," said Steve Mogck, executive vice president and brand leader for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. "We are excited to be a part of Reading Rainbow's inspiring tradition and look forward to gaining more recognition among families across the country that enjoy the program."
Launched in 2001, the lending library provides free books to guests based on the assurance they will return the book on their next visit. The selection of books, with titles for all ages including many classics and best-sellers, was recently expanded and will now also feature
several books from the Reading Rainbow collection. The Read It & Return library is displayed in the lobby of every hotel on a specially designed bookshelf resembling a giant book. Since its inception, the lending library has donated nearly $100,000 to literacy organizations across the country, which help both children and adults improve their reading skills.

"As a family-friendly company that goes out of its way to champion a love of learning, Country Inns & Suites is the perfect partner for Reading Rainbow," said Donald K. Boswell, president and CEO of WNED, the co-producer of Reading Rainbow. "We anticipate a lasting relationship that will bring even more attention to the important goal of promoting reading to kids across America."

Since 1983, Reading Rainbow has delivered a dynamic, fast-paced, half-hour PBS series intent on promoting the love of reading to children ages 4-8. Over the years, Reading Rainbow has expanded its scope of topics and issues while keeping the joy of reading at the center of its message. Professionally, the series has been recognized with over 250 awards. Reading Rainbow has garnered 26 Emmys (ten for "Outstanding Children's Series"), a prestigious Peabody, nine CINE Golden Eagles, nine Parent's Choice Awards and six international Prix Jeunesse Awards. More information about the program is available at www.pbskids.org/readingrainbow.

Visit www.countryinns.com for information about the Read It & Return Lending Library. Reservations for all Country Inns & Suites By Carlson locations can be made through the Web site at www.countryinns.com, by calling toll-free 800-456-4000, or contacting a travel professional.

Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM is part of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, whose operations also include Regent® Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts®; Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn®. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007, Country Inns & Suites offers locations that feature traditional architecture and sophisticated residential interior design with hardwood flooring and decorative ceiling borders. Each hotel welcomes guests with traditional furnishings that blend rich woods and elegant floral-patterned fabrics. There are currently more than 420 Country Inn & Suites By Carlson locations worldwide.

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