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The history of the foundation of this particular Association of Concierges by the name of "Llaves de Oro"
goes back to 1962.
The first such association saw the light of day on 6th Oct 1929 when 11 Concierges from the grand hotels of Paris realized that they could operate more effectively as a team than
individually. Officially registered as U.I.C.H (Union Internationale des Concierge d'Hotel). Les Clefs d'Or is an international network of men and women with common interests and goals.
They have their own mystique, a combination of their expertise sources of inside information, intelligence and communication. The Organization is non-political, non-religious and
definitely not a trade union of any sort but is based on friendship between members to assist international travellers and tourist.
The two oldest associations are the French and the Swedes. The Dutch chapter was founded in 1937 and other countries associations date from about the same time. On 25th April 1952,
delegates from nine countries met in Cannes to hold the first congress and created L'Union Europeene des Portiers des Grands Hotel (UEPGH). Its creation was made possible by Ferdinand
Gillet , the Chef Concierge of the Hotel Scribe in Paris, the industry knows him as the 'Father of Les Clefs d'Or'.
The second congress was held in San Remo, Italy in Dec 1953, this saw the creation of the journal 'Revue Europeene' and the adoption of the society's insignia and badge, the Golden Keys.
This congress held yearly in different member countries has become a major feature in the Concierge calendar as avenue to renew and make new contacts and share their experiences and
ideas.
Since 1953 until our establishment in 1962, we were part of the French Chapter. But in that year, "Las Llaves de Oro Españolas" became a reality, naming Alfredo Molero as our first
President. At that same time the following delegations were constituted: Andalucía, Baleares, Canarias, Cataluña-Aragón, Norte and Levante. In April of that same year, during the
International Convention in Conpenhague, our association is admitted as part of the core of the U.I.P.G.H, and Madrid was named the host city for the International Convention to take
place in 1965. The 15th November 1972 at the 20th Int'l Congress in Mallorca, Spain UEPGH was changed to UIPGH, Union Internationale des Portiers des Grandes Hotels, thus making the
Society of the Golden Keys a worldwide organization.
In 1974 Alfredo Molero is named the international president in Tel-Aviv, therefore has to resign to his position as president of the Spanish chapter, and is succeeded by Tomás Izquierdo.
In 1977 José María Bautista is named the new president during the 25th General Assembly in Madrid.
After several years of intense work, during the 30th International Convention celebrated in Barcelona in 1982, the members of the Board of Directors are invited to the Palacio de la
Zarzuela where His Majesty the King D. Juan Carlos I is named "Honorary President" of said International Event. During this Convention our President J.M. Bautista presents his
International candidacy and he obtains the second international Presidency by a Spaniard during the Convention in Munich in 1984. A year later Jaime Balmori, concierge at the Hotel
Princesa Plaza, takes his place as President.
In 1986 we mourned the great loss of Alfredo Molero, the founding President.
In 1991 during the XXXIX International Convention in Costa del Sol, His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias, was named Honorary President of this Convention. The members of the National
Board, presided by Jaime Balmori, went before Prince Felipe to present him with said honor as well as "Las Llaves de Oro" (The Golden Keys). In 1995 Pablo Sánchez was elected the new
president during the 34th General Assembly and in 1998 he becomes the third Spaniard to hold the International Presidency during the XLVI International Convention in Prague.
The current president is Angel Masa, Concierge in the VillaMagna Hotel in Madrid, who holds the position since 1999.
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