UICH Les Clefs d'Or - Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels "Les Clefs d'Or" (Sections)

INDIA

Sun, 01 May 2011 14:02:00 +0200


CONCIERGE ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
The Concierge Association of India Registered with The Registrar of Societies has been in existence since July 2000. Having started out as a little fledgling with 10 members (all Adherent members to Les Clefs d’Or, Singapore) it has risen to a very substantial number of 8 Full members and 46 Adherent members with approximately 40 members waiting and learning the ropes to become Clefs d’Or members. Our Activities and Progress to becoming an Independent Chapter got slightly derailed on account of Members ( Concierges ) changing their line and professions. Nevertheless I gives me immense pride as we growing length and breath in India. We now have a presence all over India, including all the metro cities. We have managed to achieve all our goals set in our 4th AGM in Mumbai. Under the effective leadership of Rajesh, Edwin, Albert Amanna in Mumbai and Amit Makker in New Delhi, these two sections are always bustling with activities. In 2001 our 1st AGM was very well received and there were very positive signs of Progress. However, on account of factors beyond our control the Association went into hibernation. The same was revived and the good work started out by the Delhi Members was taken up by the few remaining members in Mumbai, ie. Albert, Edwin and few others and the formation of the Western Region of the CAI was established in 2006. Finally, a very big thank you to all our members who have contributed immensely towards our ultimate goal, i.e. Clefs d’Or India. Of course all this would not be possible without the continuous support of President Tan and Clefs d’Or Singapore, also must not forget the role Maurice, Shujaat and Virginia who I have personally been in touch with over the years. “Vive Les Clefs d’Or” In Friendship Stephen Fernandez
INDIA 28 members Created in 2000 Member since 2011 UTC/GMT +1 hour	Concierge Association of India c/o Concierge Desk The Oberoi, Zakir Hussain Marg New Dehli 110003 Phone : +91 11 24304155 edwin.saldanha@cai.org.in For more information ... http://cai.org.in/cai	Edwin SALDANHA President

U.A.E.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:53:00 +0100


LES CLEFS D'OR - U.A.E.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The UAE consists of seven states, termed emirates, which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and the largest city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. It is also the country's center of political, industrial, and cultural activities. By history, Les Clefs d’Or UAE was then under the auspices of Les Clefs d’Or Philippines, became the 41st country accepted during the 57th UICH International Congress in Lisbon, Portugal. Currently, the Les Clefs d’Or UAE boasts 39 strong members representing the seven emirates continuously strive to excel in delivering training and provide update on the hospitality issues surrounding the UAE to all our members.
U.A.E. 39 members Created in 2010 Member since 2010 UTC/GMT +1 hour	Dept. of Tourism & Commerce Marketing Dubai Cruise Terminal, Port Rashid Dubaï - U.A.E. Phone : +971 505652698 lesclefsdoruae2010@gmail.com No Website ...	Charles FERRER President

News from the Irish Section

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:56:00 +0200

Dear Colleagues,

Since the turn of the year the Irish section has under gone alto of changes within their organization :

We have update our web page to help it to be more of a browser for our members. We have also launched our first edition of the Les Clefs D'or Guide which has been keyed to help our guests during there stay at our member hotels.

Our membership has nearly doubled in the past twelve months and the growth has continued. We elected a new executive committee in February which has added new fresh ideas to help the society improve what our out going committee had started.

We have been able for the first time to have a fund set aside for our members to attend an International congress and we hope to continue that for further congresses. Our committee has updated our national rule book for members and we have changed the process of issuing our keys to help protect lapsed members from wearing them. Our aim is to promote the society here at home and abroad in order to higher the profile of our organization which we have done by forming a relationship with the Irish Hotel Federation which has offer 10.000 members.

This year we plan to develop our affiliation side of the society and we are currently drafting details with our committee on this. The committee has already put together our package for our AGM weekend which will be held in Limerick from February 27Th to the 1st of March 2009 and we would encourage our International friends to join us in Ireland for this special occasion. For further information on costs please contact our secretary's through our web page www.lesclefsdorireland.com.

On this note I would like to sign off by wishing you all well from all our members here in Ireland.

Brendan Spence

ARGENTINA

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:15:00 +0100


"LES CLEFS D'OR ARGENTINA"
"Since 2003 a group of concierges of the best Hotels of Buenos Aires have been meeting to achieve a challenging goal: to build the Argentine Association of Concierges of Grand Hotels. After attending the Congresses of New Orleans, Puerto Vallarta, Washington and Copenhagen, in January 2008 during the International Congress of Denmark, Argentina was accepted as the 40th member of the Union Internationale des Concierges d´Hotels. ( Les Clefs D´Or International ). From December 2008 our Chilean colleagues will be part of our section. We would like to extend our heartiest welcome to the Concierges of Chile knowing that, if we work together, the synergies that we will generate as a team will improve our services. My goals and priorities as a president include: to work actively in order to train and create new Clefs in other provinces in the country ( Argentina ) and the South American region. I would also want to express my gratitude to the Association for accepting Argentina as the site for the next 16th Panamerican Congress that will take place in July 2010. You all will be welcome and remember that "Buenos Aires never sleeps". Looking forward to hosting you in Buenos Aires.
ARGENTINA 15 members Created in 2005 Joined UICH in 2008 UTC/GMT -3 hour	Sheraton Buenos Aires San Martin 12251 Buenos Aires Tel +54 11 43189000 mario.morelli@sheraton.com For more information ... www.lcdar.org.ar	Mario MORELLI President

UNITED STATES

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:19:00 +0200


LES CLEFS D'OR USA, Ltd.
With 600 members in 30 states. In 1990, members of Les Clefs d’Or, USA created a Foundation to assist concierges who are stricken with catastrophic illness or are in financial need through no fault of their own. Concierges throughout the Americas continue to raise money to support the Foundation’s work. Dozens of concierges have benefited from grants awarded by the Foundation. In the spirit of friendship and exquisite service, members of Les Clefs d’Or, USA, are also charitable in their home cities. Since our inception, we’ve raised funds for childrens’ charities, food banks, built houses for Habitat for Humanity, and have contributed to many other worthy causes”.
UNITED STATES 601 members Created in 1972 Joined UICH in 1978 UTC/GMT -4/-7 hours	68 Laurie Avenue Boston, Massachussets 02132 Tel : 1 617 469 5397 Fax : 1 617 469 4397 lesclefsdor@comcast.net For more information ... www.lcdusa.org	Jeanne MILLS President

THAILAND

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:18:00 +0200


"LES CLEFS D'OR THAILAND"
Dear Friends and Colleagues, Greetings from Les Clefs d’Or Thailand and the Land of Smiles! On behalf of Les Clefs d’Or Thailand member, I would like to express my sincere congratulation to the new appointment of the Executive Committee of U.I.C.H. Les Clefs d’Or. I and Thai member are very confident that our organization is going stronger and building more trust and be more recognized from the management of our hotel members and public. Les Clefs d’Or Thailand would like to ensure you that we are fully support to U.I.C.H. activities and will support other national chapters around the globe. Les Clefs d’Or Thailand is getting stronger in the Thailand region and will continue to develop our relationship with other organization and will maintain good relationship with our Associate member. This year, we have done many activities to promote Les Clefs d’Or Thailand and U.I.C.H. Les Clefs d’Or. We have organized the charitable activity to raise funds to help the flood victims in Ayutthaya area and set up a special team to represent Les Clefs d’Or Thailand to support the government sector during the flooding crisis in several areas. At the same time, we continue to develop ourselves by organizing the yearly seminar in October 2011 and we have received lot of support from both private sector and government sector. The seminar went very smooth and success because of the support from member and International Herald Tribune. Apart from our yearly seminar, we have organized friendship football match with other associations and hotels to raise funds to help the student in up-country school, which was very successes and be recognized from public. In order to continue to promote our organization, our training team is working with the universities in Bangkok to give the knowledge of Concierge profession which is not yet recognized in many universities in Thailand, but the feedback is going positive. In order to maintain our good relationship with the government sector, our Executive Committee went to visit the new Permanent Secretary of Ministry Of Tourism and Sports in September 2011 to introduce our profession and maintain good relationship with them, we have received very good feedback and we are going to the right direction to promote our profession to the government sector in Thailand. For the member development and expansion number of member in Thailand, we gain more recognized and trust from hotel management to send their concierge to participate the activities of Les Clefs d’Or Thailand. There were many new faces joined our monthly meeting and other activities. The current number of concierge member is increased, and new suppliers are approached and interesting in Les Clefs d’Or Thailand. This is proving that our profession is going to the right direction and be more recognized to the public. Les Clefs d’Or Thailand is continue to maintain the relationship and networking with our colleagues worldwide by supporting our member to attend the international U.I.C.H. congress and Asian Congress regularly. From 28 April – 3 May 2011, we have our representative attended the 58th International Congress in Toronto and from 23 -26 August 2011; we have sent our member to attend the Asian Congress in Hong Kong. For the next congress in London, we will continue to support our member to attend such prestige event again. Finally, we are proudly to announce that the next Asian Congress will be held in Thailand 2013 Warm regards, Suwit Niyom President of Les Clefs d’Or Thailand
THAILAND 46 members Created in 1992 Joined UICH in 2005 UTC/GMT +7 hour	Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel 999 Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Building Moo 1, Nongprue, Bang Phli Samutprakarn 10540 Ph : +662 1311111 Fax: +662 1311188 suwitniyom@hotmail.com For more information ... www.lesclefsdorthailand.com	Suwit Niyom President

TURKEY

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:18:00 +0200


"LES CLEFS D'OR - TURKEY"
The objectives of the Association are as follows: forming relationships based on friendship and respect among the hotel concierges of Turkey; exchanging information among the members based on different knowledge and skills; forming a Turkish standard in the profession of hotel concierges by giving work related training; turning each member into an ambassador of tourism by transmitting awareness and knowledge; creating references for persons interested and tourism and hotel schools by carrying out subject related research and studies; carrying out useful studies for members; representing Turkey in the best possible way at national and international organizations concerning the hotel Concierge profession.
TURKEY 30 members Created in 2000 Joined UICH in 2002 UTC/GMT +2 hours	The Swissotel The Bosphorus Bayildim Caddesi No. 2 Macka, Besiktas, 34357 Istanbul Ph : 90-212-326-11-00 Concierge.Bosphorus@swissotel.com For more information ... please contact us ...	Adnan ONER President

SPAIN

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:17:00 +0200


"LAS LLAVES DE ORO"
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.
SPAIN 193 members Created in 19XX Joined UICH in 19XX UTC/GMT +1 hours	Las llaves de Oro Españolas Calle Gran Via 33 6º piso Oficina 8. Madrid 28013 España Ph : +34 915 212 058 - Fax : +34 915 212 058 angel.masa@villamagnaintl.com For more information ... www.llavesdeoro.org	Angel Masa President

SWITZERLAND

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:17:00 +0200



"LES CLEFS D'OR SUISSES"
Les Clefs d'Or Suisses is a founding member of the Association. Since the beginning it had 4 presidents, Oscar Wirth, Albert Ostertag, Peter Wirth and Claudio Caser. Switzerland has several local sections, such as Geneva, Zürich, Basel, Bern-Berner Oberland, Graubünden-Grisons, Vaud-Riviera Vaudoise, Zermatt and Ticino. Switzerland is holding a national congress with a general assembly every two years. Elections also take place at that occasion. In between the congresses the Swiss concierges meet for a 'Journée des Clefs d'Or Suisses', which is a one day venue with a board of directors meeting. Switzerland is very proud to have a long historic concierge tradition which is still felt very strongly among all the members.
SWITZERLAND 105 members Created in 1952 Founding Section UTC/GMT +1 hour	PO Box 2201 - CH-8022 ZÜRICH Tel : 41 91 785 8885 Fax : 41 91 785 8899 info@lesclefsdor.ch For more information ... www.lesclefsdor.ch	Claudio Caser President

SINGAPORE

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:16:00 +0200


THE SOCIETY OF THE GOLDEN KEYS OF SINGAPORE
The word Concierge is itself of obscure parentage. One source says that it comes from Latin expression ‘con servus” meaning ‘fellow slave., another derivation is ‘con serviens’, the present participle of the verb ‘to serve’ Apparently, the French picked up the word from one or the other of these Latin verbs, rendering it, ‘Concierge” in old French. Yet another source say the 12th century French term, Comte des Cierges’ Count of Candles, a formal title given to a Royal Officer working for the Palace Conciergerie and having great responsibilities. Later the title was extended to concierges of Royal or baronial house. But…..what exactly is a Concierge? The Concierge has been described by seasoned travelers as “part man Friday, part Sancho Panza with a goodly amount of Merlin and Houdini thrown in. Whatever the ingredients, he and now more increasingly she will do anything humanly possible to achieve guest satisfaction. Together with his team of assistants and uniformed services staff, he has but one objective… TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE TO HIS HOTEL GUESTS After all, the Concierge and his staff are individuals that visitors come in contact with most of the time. And although the Concierge is in charge of a large number of staff, he is never to busy to assist guest. The Singapore Section counts Members from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
SINGAPORE 70 members Created in 1980 Joined UICH in 1986 UTC/GMT +8 hours	Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd SINGAPORE gregory.tan@marinabaysands.com For more information ... www.clefsdor.org.sg	Gregory Tan President