Dear Colleagues and Friends of Les Clefs d’Or, 

What a pleasure and honor to address you for the second time on our wonderful web site as your new president.  My first words of immense gratitude will be addressed to General Secretary Michael Romei who maintains all the communication channels open from our Blog to our upcoming Revue which you should be reading over the Christmas holidays. Secondly, my sincere appreciation goes to my entire Executive Board; from our 3 Vice Presidents, Emmanuel Colin & Simon who work diligently across the world in their different duties to our Assistant General Shujaat Khan who so actively assists us with special projects such  as The Andy Pongco Award, The Book of Members, etc.   My invaluable Treasurer Jean-Roland who keeps the accounts, and our French President, Lionel who maintains our Paris office all in good order. Our Past President Robert, maintains his contribution on many levels and will be part of the Andy Pongco committee at this upcoming congress.  My seven Zone Director Heroes also need to be mentioned; Maurice, Tamas, Federico, Gregory, Michael, Simon and Sami. Our Sages:  Marjorie, Aldo, Denis, and Roger who are the advisors and keepers of our statutes, follow us always with great passion.

Our last Executive Meeting brought us for the first time in Vissoie, and we were so grateful to have among us two other Sages:  Walter Freytag and Albert Ostertag.  After so many years it was an incredible reunion for our Sages to have this moment together and we as an association directly benefit from this because they are a wealth of knowledge.   My sincere appreciation goes to our President d’Honneur Aldo Giacomello and Claudio Caser, President of the Swiss section for making this meeting a reality.  Mayor Simon Epiney, our host and the Swiss authorities with Chancellor Casanova, welcomed us so gracefully.   This was a return to our roots in our very fast paced world. As our communication is getting easier with the latest technology and we feel closer and closer with Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc; we should never forget our past.  Vissoie represents our heritage, the spirit that started after the first world war which is still alive today.  We are also entering the celebrations of our 60^th Anniversary in 2012 as an international organization and what a better way then to launch it from Vissoie, le Village de l’Amitié, what a perfect setting.

The British section is busy finalizing what promises to be another incredble Congress which will mark our history.  President Crowdy, Paul Still, Simon Thomas among others are leading the troops for success and already the numbers have been achieved in registration.  The educational component is bridged to Toronto, and we shall see again our dynamic Gerald Parent facilitate the event with Roberta Nedry from Hospitality Excellence.  Our long time partners American Express, IHT, Chabé Limousines will be among us and will support us one more time.  Past President from Japan, Etsuko Higashide is heading a special report on Women Concierges… we are very proud to announce the Charte of our Values which was presented in Vissoie and so much more to come in London… .  Last but certainly not least I thank also our Administrative Assistant Muffin Spielman who assists us with dictation and minutes at our global meetings.

Let us march together towards London united for another memorable congress.  In the meantime may you have a wonderful Holiday Season with your families in peace & harmony and start a 2012 with good health & love in your hearts.

I remain always yours in Service through Friendship & Excellence

Vive Les Clefs d’Or !!!

Virginia Casale

President Les Clefs d’Or “U.I.C.H.”

Concierge Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile

Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends

Summer has ended in the Northern Hemisphere and is now headed to our Colleagues in the South. For many, it has been a busy period and for others, the opportunity to take Holidays and recharge their "batteries" for the coming Months has been a relief.

I am very pleased to say that all the Zones have been very active in the past few months. In June, I attended the Western Zone Meeting in Amsterdam. In July, I went to the Pan American Congress in Buenos Aires. At the Scandinavian Zone meeting in Oslo, the Executive Board was represented by Emmanuel Vrettos, 2nd International VP. At the Central European Meeting in Warsaw, Virginia Casale, 1st International VP, and Emmanuel Vrettos were in attendance.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank American Express for their generous sponsorship of all the Zone Meetings this year.

A big "Thank You" goes to the Directors of Zones for the diligent work they have performed this year and, also, to the National Presidents for promoting the "Spirit of the UICH" within their Sections.

In August, I visited our Office in Rue Cambon in Paris and held a very successful meeting with my Representative in Paris, Lionel Lorans, Jean-Roland Boutille, International Treasurer, and the UICH Executive Secretary, Esther Baldocchi.

After Paris, I visited Munich where I spent time with Christian Netzle, the new President of the German Section, as well as Hans Hennig, the National Treasurer. Some days later, I was able to enjoy a lovely evening in Cannes with Roger Bastoni, our Past International President. The day after that, we arrived in Geneva and were welcomed by the Geneva Section and Olivier Mazille, Regional President of Les Clefs d'Or, who hosted a dinner for my family and me. It was also a pleasure to have Claudio Caser, President of Switzerland, share the unforgettable evening with us.

In late October, we are holding the Executive Committee "Face to Face" Meeting in Dubai under the kind auspices of the U.A.E. Section.

I am very happy to announce that one of the major "projects" in the works this year was achieved by the printing and distribution of our new Les Clefs d'Or Book of Members. I hope you have all received the book and find it as useful in your daily work as I do.

Wherever you are, I wish everyone great success in all your endeavors and I look forward to seeing you soon.

In Service Through Friendship,

Robert Watson
International President

Dear Friends,

Springtime is here and the cold and snowy Winter is behind most of us.

At the time of writing this message it coincides with the first anniversary of becoming International President of this amazing association of ours.

Many things have been accomplished by your Executive Board on this first year, we have published two editions of the International Revue with the third coming out soon, we have updated our channels of Communication by holding quarterly conference calls, the new Book of Members 2010-2012 is at the final stages of completion.

One of the highlights of my first year was to chair the Board of Directors and General Assembly meetings at our last Congress in Lisbon.

I would like to congratulate Nuno and Joaquim and all our Portuguese colleagues for having hosted such a memorable Congress, this edition has a few pages dedicated to the “Chaves de Ouro de Portugal” congress.

This year 2010 promises to be a better one, forecasts are up from last year however we still face challenges and we need to keep our guard up and provide the best and friendliest service at all times.

I wish all of you a very successful season and I hope to meet many of you on my travels this year.

Yours in Friendship

Robert Watson
International President

It is already December and I cannot help but reflect on. Where has the year gone ? It was just like yesterday that we were together in Hangzhou.

During my travels this year the message I received from our colleagues was very much the same regardless of what Country or Continent they came from, the message was that 2009 has been a “Challenging Year”, the Hotel industry has suffered, however 2010 will be a year of recovery, let us hope it is a fast and long lasting one.

On the second half of this year I have twice visited our HeadQuarters on Rue Cambon, Paris. Together with members of the Swiss section I met with the Mayor of Vissoie, this meeting was in regards to the project to making Vissoie “The Village of Friendship”. Vissoie is the village in Switzerland that two of our forefathers, Ferdinand and Jean Gillet were born.

Together with Emmanuel Vrettos and Shujaat Khan I visited Lisbon, where the 57th International Congress will take place from January 14th to January 19th. The Lisbon Congress promises to be a memorable one and I look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible.

In early November the Executive Board met in Las Vegas for our yearly Face to Face meeting.

In late November I attended the 80th Anniversary celebrations of Les Clefs d’Or France under the auspices of the Paris region. This was a very well attended and orchestrated weekend, and I thank all the French section for their Hospitality and Friendship.

I would like to wish you and all your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays as well as a very Happy New Year.

Yours in Friendship

Robert Watson
International President

I have been wanting to touch base with all of you!  I hope most of you have had a couple of weeks off during the Summer months and have recharged you weak batteries for the next twelve months, for those who are on the Winter months I can tell you that your turn is coming!

I would like to share with you what your International Board has been up to during the last two months:

I have personally attended a Fund Raising Golf tournament in Niagara on the Lake in Canada, I was able to sample the Hospitality of our Canadian Colleagues which we will receive when we attend the International Congress in Toronto in 2011.

Just about two weeks ago I visited our HeadQuarters on Rue Cambon and met with our International Treasurer Jean-Roland, the French National Secretary Cyril and Esther the Office administrator.

On my travels in Europe I had a wonderful dinner with Christian Netzle the German Vice-President in Munich, was warmly received by Claudio Caser President of Switzerland in his lovely property in Ascona and finally had the honour of attending a Dinner hosted by over 20 members of the Geneva section of Les Clefs d’Or.

In late October I will once again be traveling to Europe to visit the venue of our next International Congress: Lisbon January 2010, at the same time I will be visiting Dubai to coincide with the “Dubai Concierge of the Year” award ceremony hosted by the Dubai Tourist Ministry.

All the Zone meetings which have taken place so far have been attended by a member of the Executive Board, for example the Asia Zone meeting was attended by Colin Toomey, the Western Europe and Scandinavian zone meetings by Aldo Giacomello and the Eastern Europe Zone by Michael Romei our International Secretary as well as Emmanuel Vrettos our Second International Vice President.

I would like to sincerely thank every one for your commitment to our Association by either hosting or attending these meetings, this is a very effective way of networking and getting to know each other better.

On Sunday the Executive Board will be holding its second Conference Call. All national Presidents will receive the minutes and we hope you share them with your members.

The word in the street is that the Worldwide Economy is slowly improving however the recovery this time is going to be slower that in previous crisis, I urge all our members to be as flexible as possible during these difficult times, after all we will come out of it stronger in the long run.

Dear Friends until we speak or meet again I wish you Good Health and Happiness together with your family and friends.

In Service Through Friendship,

Robert Watson

International President UICH

Now, after California, fires are set in Australia, damaging houses and properties, ruining people's life and more dramatically killing peoples. All of us at UICH are hoping that very soon, those fires will be under controls once and for all. Our thoughts are with those people of Australia living this tragedy.

On the brighter side of life there is this incredible positive reaction of human kind at coping, fighting and at looking to a brighter tomorrow.

In less than a month time, many of us will be meeting for our yearly international congress in Hangzhou China. Through the year gone by, I have had the great satisfaction at providing the high standards required by UICH.

It will then be time for me to hand over the current affairs to a new president and a new board. I intend to give them rapidly all the necessaries elements, giving them the immediate possibility to be well informed and ready to work.

These 2 years have given me great satisfaction, above all meeting many of you and exchanging our views on our profession and our fantastic association. All my gratitude to the excellent work made by the executive board with a special tribute to Virginia Casale, our international secretary. Thank you also to the zone directors for being so pro active, to all national presidents for their day to day efforts, to the Comité des Sages for its wisdom, to the Paris Office and Esther support and of course a big thank you to you all, dear members, at being on a day to day routine excellent at your job.

For the next 2 years, in my capacity of past president, I shall look forward to seeing you all many more times.

Your friend,

Roger

So let’s all deal, to the best of our ability, with the “freeze” only to “spring” back successfully very soon.
In the past, the word of “Concierge” has also had to deal with controversies, its name not “clearly” defining our profession, being often mixed with the likes of buildings properties or museums “Janitors”, thus giving some upper managements difficulties in assessing our true potential.

Spring has now grown in all fields of our profession. Many a professional company, large industries, notorious firms even telephone services, have associated our competences in their quest of conquering clientele.

Let’s all together make it in such a way that our professional performance, in equivalence with a sporting activity, got “exceptional” for its quality all along 2009.

 The “UICH” board will meet early January in Livorno for their Pre International Congress executive committee meeting. Many topics will be on the agenda but above all, we shall all work at making sure that our, your next congress in China is a total success.
I shall see as many as possible of you then!

Your friend,

Roger BASTONI

We shall all meet in China more precisely in Hangzhou's new Century Hotel from March 23th to March 28th 2009.

During my five days visit early November, I was given the possibility to test every aspect of the wonderful program that Jon Sun Dong, China National President and his magical team have prepared for us all. The 700 room's hotel will accommodate all participants. Rooms as well as meeting facilities and ballroom are luxurious with all modern amenities and equipments.

The service is of very high quality along with the Chinese tradition and under the supervision of Mr Xu, a gentleman and excellent General Manager. Three restaurants, two stylish breakfast rooms, two bars, swimming pool, spa and fitness room are available.

I tasted and "helped select" the very best dishes that China has to offer and I strongly recommend not to go on a diet that week! An added plus is that all meals will be a sit down.

Each day has a different and well balanced program: cultural, typical site, discovery of the local nature without forgetting a little shopping for the ladies...! Finally for even more comfort we have at our disposal a Chinese delegation eager to show us how efficient, well organized and excellent timekeepers they are. They will make of this event a most memorable souvenir to take in our heart.

Soon to be post congress tour will be available on the website. I will regularly inform your national presidents but also remain at your disposal should you have any specific questions.

Ideal plane travelling to Hangzhou should be made through Beijing and please do not forget visa's formalities. The last time we had a congress in China, over 600 members and wives participated. For the good of UICH, its International Committee and your truly "Let's all do better in 2009"!

Roger BASTONI

The Cannes film festival will be celebrating , on May 14th , its 61st year of existence . For a fortnight swimwear will be replaced by Tuxedos and long dresses.  Glamour will be in the limelight .

On Sunday May 25th , the closing day ,  there will be in Monaco , some 40 miles away , the Formula one Grand Prix  ....Soon after  the Publicity film Festival and the International Horse Jumping competition will end a month in which hotel room availibility is next to none .

 All this to say that i will be a difficult person to contact during that period , period during which Switzerland and Morocco will hold their National "AGM" and Gala (week-end of the 23rd to the 25th)

I shall  , in the months to come , visit Paris for a meeting with the European Zone Directors , attend 3 different International meetings in Brussels ,  Baden Baden and Helsinki  and , in November go to China  , more precisely to Hangzhou , to humbly help  John Sun Dong in his challenge to organise a great International Congress in March 2009 . Last but not least ,  together with the International committee and Zone Directors , we shall join our Italian colleagues in Olbia (Sardinia) during their National "AGM" and take this opportunity to debrief on the year gone by  but also plan our actions for 2009

I will keep you all informed of the outcome of all these diverse meetings in my next correpondances

Once more i wish you all the very best that life can give

Your friend  ,

R.BASTONI