Marilyn Carlson Nelson introduced new president and chief executive officer Hubert Joly at Carlson's Global Business Meeting in Las Vegas in February. Joly took the reins of the company, becoming the first non-family member in that position.

At a star-studded gala celebrating the company's 70th anniversary last Thursday, Carlson Nelson told Joly he was "like a great song-you've got rhythm and you can't stop the Carlson beat." Joly, who's been president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel since 2004, will be entrusted to run a company that announced record-breaking sales numbers of $39.8 billion last year.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide President and CEO Jay Witzel spoke confidently at the opening of the hotel side of the conference about how the company was perched to excel in the new "Golden Age" of global travel. With five brands-Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inn and Suites-in 70 countries, he said, Carlson "is in a unique position to succeed and win in this Golden Age."