Carlson Hotels launches New Loyalty Programme for Meeting and Event Planners

Planners can now earn and redeem loyalty points for any meeting or event they book at more than 960 hotels in the Carlson Hotels Worldwide network, thanks to an innovative programme that also allows them to contribute to environmental and social causes.

Under the international hotel group's "goldpoints plus for planners" programme, planners can earn free nights in hotels and miles with more than 20 airline partners. There is no minimum amount and no limit to the number of points accumulated, so planners can start earning points from the first dollar they spend.

Earning and redemption opportunities can now be enjoyed almost anywhere in the Carlson global network, which encompasses hotels within its core brands - Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

The programme incorporates a socially and environmentally conscious element as well, allowing planners to donate to the World Childhood Foundation, which works to prevent child exploitation and trafficking, and to transfer points to the environmental organisation Carbon Neutral, to offset CO2 emissions associated with travel.

Barbara Maunsell, vice-president of marketing & sales at Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific, said, "We believe in building long-term relationships with our loyal customers, which include those who plan and organise meetings and conventions. This enhancement to our global guest loyalty programme, goldpoints plus, is a creative way we can make meeting planners' jobs more rewarding by allowing them to directly benefit from every event or meeting they organise."

Gold Points can be earned on all hotel-provided services and amenities that are related to the event and billed to a Master folio. Administrative assistants or general consumers who organise events will also benefit.

Highlights of the programme include:

- Points Plus Cash: Redeem points and cash to stay at hotels (for as little as US$49 plus 5,000 points for a free night stay).

- Express awards: Redeem points at a hotel for special services or amenities (such as a free movie or room upgrade).

- Donate points to the World Childhood Foundation: One of Carlson's key charity partners, this global foundation works to protect the most vulnerable children, particularly those victimised by sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking. All donations will be matched by Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

- CarbonNeutral travel and accommodations: Guests can redeem Gold Points towards community-based carbon reduction projects that balance out the CO2 emissions associated with a trip.

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