Trudy Rautio, Carlson president and chief executive officer, shared the following message today with employees worldwide:

The Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated this week in the United States, with its origins tracing back to 1621, and the Pilgrims who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

Carlson is a global company, so you may wonder why, each year, I send this note on the eve of an American holiday. I do this because the celebration of thanks is a universal sentiment. 

The Pilgrims emigrated from England to the New World (America) in search of religious freedom. Only half of these travelers are said to have survived that first, brutal winter. However, with the help and hospitality of the Native Americans, they planted crops and were able to reap a rich harvest. In celebration and gratitude, they gathered for the first thanksgiving feast. 

Travel, hospitality and sharing a wonderful meal together are common threads among our three businesses. In fact, this year AAA is forecasting 43.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes during this Thanksgiving weekend. Some will stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants. And today, as a major winter storm threatens the country’s East Coast and Midwest, CWT will work hard to ensure our customers’ business travel is complete, so their family travel can commence.                                                                                                                                             

So while, by tradition, this is an American holiday, its origins not only resonate with our businesses here, but around the world. And so does the spirit of gratitude. 

I remain grateful to be the CEO of this global company, where I have the privilege of working with the most hospitable 170,000 people on this planet. Your caring spirit and service heart reflect the best of our industry. Thank you for all you do to share that hospitable spirit with our clients and guests around the world—this week and all year round.