History
The Early Years
1800-1900s
The Caretaker
The commonly used title, especially in France, was ‘Portier’ or ‘Porter’ in English. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Concierge was, and still is, a title used for the caretaker in a building.
The hotel porter or doorman became the focal point of guest relations and customer service at many luxury hotels. It was during this time that the role of the Concierge was created in the various grand hotels of Paris and Western Europe. This was the first time a role had been specifically created to assist guests with their requirements in unfamiliar cities.
The Concierge quickly became a popular and essential service in luxury hotels.
1920s
Origins of present day Les Clefs d’Or
During the mid 1920s there was a group of Concierges from various hotels in Paris (including one from Algeria) who were trying to organise themselves with the guidance of Mr Pierre Quentin from the Hotel Ambassador. The hotel opened in 1928 and played host to a ceremony in the honour of Charles Lindbergh’s cross Atlantic journey in 1927. The following year Paris welcomed landmark hotels like Hotel Lancaster, The Prince de Galles, and the George V.
On 26 October 1929 Mr. Quentin sent an invitation to 20 prominent Concierges throughout Paris to dine at Restaurant Noël Peters in the hopes of strengthening the bond among them.
The restaurant was located across the street from his hotel, in the Passage des Princes. With 11 in attendance, this dinner marks the first instance of professional hotel Concierges meeting as a group.
Within 4 weeks the new association was ratified at the first ever General Assembly with more than 75 delegates present. Mr. Pierre Quentin was elected the first President of Les Clefs d’Or on 27 November 1929, a post he held for three years.
1930s
Origins of present day Les Clefs d’Or
Pierre Quentin’s presidency of Les Clefs d’Or was followed by François Dechaume who was elected in 1932 and remained until the war. Mr. Dechaume was among the 11 who created the association. Sadly, there was no activity during the war as all the hotels, especially in Paris, were occupied by the Germans.
1940s - 1970
The Evolution and Expansion: Part I
UNION EUROPÉENNE DES PORTIERS DES GRANDS HÔTELS - UEPGH
1946
After World War II
After World War II, Mr. Ferdinand Gillet, originally from Switzerland and the former Vice President to Mr. Dechaume succeeded him as the new president of the organisation. Mr. Gillet started his Concierge career in Paris as a Night Concierge at Hotel du Rhin in 1920.
The origins of present day Les Clefs d’Or as an international organisation has traditionally been credited to him as during his presidency, Ferdinand Gillet travelled extensively throughout Europe to seek and find other hotel Concierges.
1952
The First International Congress
After much communication and several smaller meetings (including the initial multi-national meeting that took place in 1951 in Sierres, Switzerland) the gathering of the first six member sections on the historic date of April 25, 1952 at The Carlton Hotel in Cannes took place. This was the birth of Union Européenne des Portiers des Grands Hôtels “Les Clefs d'Or”, the international network as we know it today and the very first multi-national Congress.
Representatives from the French organisation were joined by prominent concierges from Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain and Ireland. Belgium and Denmark were observing countries and Spain was an invited guest.
This allowed each country represented to go back and form a formal organisation in their respective regions based on the French model.
The members in Morocco, being a French protectorate at the time, although outside of mainland Europe, were regarded as French members.
1952
Mr. F. Gillet
Mr. F. Gillet from France became the first president of the organisation. Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland became the first member sections.
1955
Austria
Austria joined the organization as member section.
1957
Sweden
Sweden joined the organization as member section.
1960
Ireland and the Netherlands
Ireland (originally with Great Britain) and the Netherlands joined the organization as member sections.
1962
Norway and Spain
Norway and Spain joined the organization as member sections.
1964
Morocco
Morocco joined the organization as a member section.
1965
Greece
Morocco joined the organization as a member section.
1968
Mr T. Godde
Mr T. Godde from Germany became the president of the organisation.
1969
Mr O. Wirth
Mr. O. Wirth from Switzerland became the interim president of the organization after the passing of Mr Godde.
The Evolution and Expansion: Part II
1970
St. Moritz
In 1970 in St. Moritz with the addition of Israel, UEPGH Les Clefs d’Or (Union Européenne des Portiers des Grands Hôtels "Les Clefs d'Or") changed its name to UIPGH Les Clefs d’Or (Union Internationale des Portiers des Grands Hôtels "Les Clefs d'Or") to accommodate the organisation to reflect its growth and presence outside of Europe.
1970
Mr O. Wirth
Mr. O. Wirth from Switzerland became the president of the organization.
1972
Mr R. Burdeyron
Mr. R. Burdeyron from Great Britain became the president of the organisation. Portugal joined the organization as a member section.
1974
Mr A. Molero
Mr. A. Molero from Spain became the president of the organisation.
1976
Canada
Canada was admitted as the 18th member section and the first country that took UIPGH Les Clefs d’Or to the next continent.
Mr. J. Gillet from France became the president of the organisation.
1978
Ms. Holly Stiel
The United States of America was accepted and brought with it the first female member concierge – Ms. Holly Stiel from San Francisco.
Mr S. Giarola from Italy became the president of the organisation.
1980
Finland
Finland joined the organization as a member section.
1981
Australia
Australia was accepted as a member section and this paved the way for Asia to join the UIPGH Les Clefs d’Or family.
1982
Mr A. Schneider
Mr. A. Schneider from Austria became the president of the organisation.
1985
Hong Kong and Hungary
Hong Kong and Hungary were accepted as a member sections.
Mr. J.M. Bautista from Spain became the president of the organisation.
1986
Singapore
Singapore was accepted as a member section.
Mr. A. Ostertag from Switzerland became the president of the organisation.
1988
Luxembourg
Luxembourg was accepted as a member section.
Mr. A. Damonte from Great Britain became the president of the organisation.
1990
Romania
Romania was accepted as a member section.
1991
Czech Republic
Czech Republic was accepted as a member section.
Mr. W. Freytag from Germany became the president of the organisation.
1992
Brazil
Brazil became the first South American member section.
1993
Philippines
Philippines was accepted as a member section.
Mr A. Lodigiani from Italy became the president of the organisation.
1994
New Zealand
New Zealand was accepted as a member section.
1995
Mr T. Facciolo
Mr T. Facciolo OAM from Australia became the president of the organisation.
1997
Japan and Malaysia
With the approval of Japan and Malaysia, the total number of member countries became 32.
Mr A. Gunst from Hungary became the president of the organisation.
The Evolution and Expansion: Part III
1998
UICH
In 1998, the organisation officially became the UICH (Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels "Les Clefs d'Or") to emphasise the word concierge and to further reinforce that the organisation is an association of hotel concierges.
1999
Newly restructured UICH
The newly restructured UICH welcomed its first female president, Mrs Marjorie Silverman from the US section.
2001
International Expansion
The international expansion of the organisation continued with Russia.
Mr. A. Giacomello from Switzerland became the president of the organisation.
2003
Taiwan and Turkey
Taiwan and Turkey joined as member sections.
Mr. J.C. Elgaire from France became the president of the organisation.
2005
Thailand
Thailand joined as member section.
Mr D. O’Brien from Ireland became the president of the organisation.
2006
Korea
Korea joined as member section.
2007
France
Mr R. Bastoni from France became the president of the organisation.
2008
Argentina
Argentina became the next member section from South America.
Les Clefs d’Or Award launched as “Andy Pongco Award” to honour the memory Andy Pongco. The award aims to encourage young members to become active participants in our global network and to recognize the elite's of tomorrow’s Les Clefs d’Or Concierge.
The prize for the recipient of the Award is an invitation to the next Les Clefs d’Or International Congress (registration and airfare included). All countries are encouraged to nominate a young member. The candidates will complete an open book written exam on the history of Les Clefs d’Or, geography and general hotel knowledge to assess the skills they use everyday while working at their Concierge Desk and assisting guests. They will write an essays on their interest in the profession and their aspirations. At the congress, the candidate will have an interview with members of the Award Committee. The candidates' personal presentation will play a major part in the final outcome of this friendly contest. Cheng from Chinese Taipei became the first ever recipient of the "Andy Pongco Award."
2009
United States of America
Mr R. Watson from United States of America became the president of the organisation.
Christophe Caron from France (currently member of Great Britain section) became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2010
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates became a member.
Ben Malpass from Great Britain became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2011
India
India joined as member section.
Mrs V. Casale from Canada became the second female president of the organisation.
Anabella Peling from Argentina became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2012
Poland
Poland joined as member section.
Matthew Wu from Canada became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2013
Greece
Mr E. Vrettos from Greece became the president of the organisation.
Anna Endrihovskaia from Russia became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2013
Qatar and Macau
Qatar and Macau joined as member sections.
James Elliot from Great Britain became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2015
Australia
Mr C. Toomey from Australia became the president of the organisation.
Sarah Dandashy from United States of America became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
2016
France
Harold Exbrayat from France became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.
The associations membership reaches the 4000 mark globally with members in 80 countries and 536 locations.
2016
Mr. S. Thomas from Great Britain became the president of the organisation.
Jessica Gorman from United States of America became the recipient of the Les Clefs d’Or Award.