1800s - 1900s
1920s
1930s
1936
Mr. Pierre Quentin
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 hall 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.
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.
12 rue Cambon in Paris became the headquarters of Les Clefs d’Or.
Origins of present day Les Clefs d’Or
Origins of present day Les Clefs d’Or
The Caretaker
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 (Paris), which opened in 1928 and played host to a ceremony in honour of Charles Lindbergh’s cross-Atlantic journey in 1927. The following year, Paris welcomed other of today’s landmark hotels, such as 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 four 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.
Headquarters
union internationale des concierges d hotels
HISTORY
Founded in France both nationally in 1929 and internationally in 1952, Les Clefs d’Or is an international association of hotel concierges. It is a not-for-profit association based on two pillars:
Service and Friendship.
1800s - 1930s
The Early Years
1970s - 1998s
UNION INTERNATIONALE DES PORTIERS DES GRANDS HÔTELS - UIPGH
The Evolution and Expansion: Part II
Les Clefs d'Or Expands Outside of Europe
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. Oskar Wirth
Mr. Oskar Wirth (Switzerland) became the president of the association.
1972
Mr. Robert Burdeyron
Mr. Robert Burdeyron (Great Britain) became the president of the association.
1972
Portugal joined the organization as a member section.
Portugal
1974
Mr. Alfredo Molero
Mr. Alfredo Molero (Spain) became the president of the association.
1976
Mr. Jean Gillet
Mr. Jean Gillet (France) became the president of the association.
1976
Canada joined the organization as a member section.
Canada
1976
Les Clefs d'Or Expands to the Americas
Canada's became the 18th member section and the first country to bring UIPGH Les Clefs d'Or to the Americas.
1978
Mr. Spartaco Giarola
Mr. Spartaco Giarola (Italy) became the president of the association.
1978
Ms. Holly Stiel
Ms. Holly Stiel from San Francisco was admitted as the first female member concierge.
1969
1940s - 1970s
UNION EUROPÉENNE DES PORTIERS DES GRANDS HÔTELS - UEPGH
The Evolution and Expansion: Part I
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 association. 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 association have traditionally been credited to him, as during his presidency, Ferdinand Gillet travelled extensively throughout Europe to seek and find other hotel concierges.
After World War II
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 took place on the historic date of April 25, 1952, at The Carlton Hotel in Cannes. This event gave birth to the Union Européenne des Portiers des Grands Hôtels “Les Clefs d'Or,” the international network as we know it today, and it was the very first multinational 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.
After the congress, each country represented was encouraged 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. Ferdinand Gillet
Mr. Ferdinand Gillet (France) became the president of the association.
1952
Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland
Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland became the first member sections.
1955
Austria
Austria joined the organization as member section.
1956
Sweden joined the organization as member section.
Sweden
1960
Ireland (originally with Great Britain) and Netherlands joined the organization as member sections.
Ireland and the Netherlands
1962
Norway and Spain joined the organization as member sections.
Ireland and the Netherlands
1964
Morocco joined the organization as a member section.
Morocco
1965
Morocco joined the organization as a member section.
Greece
1967
Expansion of UIPGH Les Clefs d'Or
In 1967 the 15th International Congress was held in Athens. At this time Les Clefs d'Or membership had expanded to 2000 members and the association had grown to 16 countries (member sections).
1968
Mr. Théodor Godde
Mr Théodor Godde (Germany) became the president of the association.
1969
Mr. Oskar Wirth
Mr. Oskar Wirth (Switzerland) became the interim president of the association after the passing of Mr. Godde.
1946
Ms. Holly Stiel from San Francisco was admitted as the first female member concierge.
1978
The United States of America joined the organization as a member section.
United States of America
1980
Finland joined the organization as a member section.
Finland
1981
Australia joined the organization as a member section.
Australia
1981
Les Clefs d'Or Begins Planning for an Expansion into Asia
Australia's acceptance heralded a new era paving the way for Asia to join the UIPGH Les Clefs d'Or family.
1982
Mr. Adolf Schneider
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Mr. Adolph Schneider (Austria) became the president of the organisation.
1982
Hong Kong joined the association as a member section.
Hong Kong
1982
Hong Kong becomes the first member section from Asia to join UIPGH Les Clefs d'Or.
Les Clefs d'Or Expands into Asia
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1985
Mr. Jose-Maria Bautista
Mr. Jose-Maria Bautista (Spain) became the president of the association.
1985
Hungary was accepted as a member section, bringing the total number of sections to 23
Hungary
1986
Mr. Albert Ostertag
Mr. Albert Ostertag (Switzerland) became the president of the association.
1986
Singapore was accepted as a member section.
Singapore
1988
Mr. André Damonté
Mr. André Damonté (Great Britain) became the president of the association.
1988
Luxembourg was accepted as a member section.
Luxembourg
1988
The Paris Office
Under the leadership of French President Pierre Porte, 12 rue Cambon is purchased outright on July 17.
1990
Romania was accepted as a member section.
Romania
1991
Mr. Walter Freytag
Mr. Walter Freytag (Germany) became the president of the association.
1991
Czech Republic was accepted as a member section.
Czech Republic
1992
Brazil became the first South American member country.
Brazil
1993
Mr. Adolfo Lodigiani
Mr. Adolfo Lodigiani (Italy) became the president of the association.
1993
Philippines was accepted as a member section.
Philippines
1994
New Zealand was accepted as a member section.
New Zealand
1995
Mr. Tony Facciolo
Mr. Tony Facciolo OAM (Australia) became the president of the association.
1996
Mexico and China were both accepted as a member sections bringing the total number of sections to 30.
Mexico and China
1997
Mr. Andras Gunst
Mr. Andras Gunst from Hungary became the president of the association.
Japan and Malaysia were both accepted as a member sections.
1997
Japan and Malaysia was accepted as a member section.
Japan and Malaysia
1998 - Present
The Evolution and Expansion: Part III
UNION INTERNATIONALE DES CONCIERGES D'HÔTELS - UICH
UICH
In 1998, the association officially became UICH (Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels "Les Clefs d'Or") to emphasise the word concierge and to further reinforce that Les Clefs d'Or is an association of hotel concierges.
1999
Mrs. Marjorie Silverman
A newly restructured UICH welcomed its first female president, Mrs. Marjorie Silverman from the USA section. Mrs. Silverman rewrote the statutes and gave birth to the famous Article IV.
2001
Mr. Aldo Giacomello
Mr. Aldo Giacomello (Switzerland) became the president of the association.
2001
The international expansion of the association continued with Russia.
Russia
1998
Mr. Jean-Claude Elgaire
Mr. Jean-Claude Elgaire (France) became the president of the association.
2003
Turkey and Chinese Taipei joined as member sections.
Taiwan and Turkey
2005
Mr. Denis T. C. O’Brien
Mr. Denis O’Brien (Ireland) became the president of the association.
2005
Thailand joined as member section.
Thailand
2006
South Korea joined as member section.
South Korea
2007
Mr. Roger Bastoni
Mr. Roger Bastoni (France) became the president of the association.
2007
Argentina became the next member section from South America.
Argentina
2008
Les Clefs d'Or Award Launches
The Les Clefs d’Or® Award was first established at the 55th Les Clefs d’Or International Congress in Denmark, 2008 and aims to recognise and encourage young members to become active participants in our global network.
It was named for a few years as the “Andy Pongco Award” to honour the memory Andy Pongco, and was then each year dedicated to iconic figures that have been great contributors in the history of our association; Ms Marjorie Silverman, Mr Andre Damonte, Mr Pierre Quentin and Mr Tony Facciolo.
The award is managed by the Les Clefs d'Or Award Committee which comprises five members including one member of the Executive Committee, one member of the Conseil des Sages and the winner of the previous year's competition. Two other committee members are also nominated to complete the committee.
2009
Mr. Robert Watson
Mr. Robert Watson (United States of America) became the president of the association.
2010
The United Arab Emirates joined as member section.
United Arab Emirates
2011
Mrs. Virginia Casale
Mrs. Virginia Casale (Canada) became the second female president of the association.
2011
India joined as member section and becomes the 40th section of Les Clefs d'Or.
India
2012
Poland joined as member section.
Poland
2013
Mr. Emmanuel Vrettos
Mr. Emmanuel Vrettos (Hellas) became the president of the association.
2014
Qatar and Macau joined as member sections.
Qatar and Macau
2015
Mr. Colin Toomey
Mr. Colin Toomey (Australia) became the president of the association.
2015
The Creation of Working Committees
With the expansion of Les Clefs d'Or several working committees begin to be formed in order to meet the needs of a growing association.
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2017
4000 Members
Les Clefs d'Or membership reaches the 4,000 mark globally with members reaching in over 80 countries and 536 destinations reaching six continents around the globe.
2017
Mr. Simon Thomas
Mr. Simon Thomas (Great Britain) became the president of the association.
2018
Indonesia joined as member section.
Indonesia
2019
Mr. Roderick Levejac
Mr. Roderick Levejac (France) became the president of the association.
2021
Mr. Anders Ølsted Jensen
Mr. Anders Ølsted Jensen (Denmark) became the president of the association. For the first time in the association's history, the elections and the General Assembly was held virtually due to the CoronaVirus Pandemic.
2023
Mr. Randy V. Santos
Mr. Randy Santos (Qatar) became the president of the association.
2025
Mr. James Ridenour
Mr. James Ridenour (Australia) became the president of the association.
2003
Ms. Holly Stiel from San Francisco was admitted as the first female member concierge.
1986
1988
1992
Brazil became the first South American member country.
Brazil
1993
Mr. Adolfo Lodigiani
Mr. Adolfo Lodigiani (Italy) became the president of the association.
1993
Philippines was accepted as a member section.
Philippines
1994
New Zealand was accepted as a member section.
New Zealand
1995
Mr. Tony Facciolo
Mr. Tony Facciolo OAM (Australia) became the president of the association.
1996
Mexico and China were both accepted as a member sections bringing the total number of sections to 30.
Mexico and China
1997
Mr. Andras Gunst
Mr. Andras Gunst from Hungary became the president of the association.
Japan and Malaysia were both accepted as a member sections.
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
International Congress Host Cities
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Cannes
San Remo
Munich
Marrakech/Paris
Montreux
Dublin
Brussels/Berlin
London/Lourdes
Amsterdam
Vienna
Copenhagen
Nice
Tangier/Casablanca
Madrid
Geneva
Athens
Brussels
(annulled)
St. Moritz
Dublin
Palma de Majorca
Munich
Tel Aviv
London
Lisbon
Copenhagen
Vienna
Rome
Monte Carlo
Dublin
Barcelona
Funchal/Madeira
Munich
Sorrento
Tel Aviv
Washington, DC
Budapest
Paris
Gothenburg
Costa del Sol
Tangier/Marrakesh
Singapore
Sydney
Jerusalem
Rome
Budapest
Prague
Guangzhou
Brussels
Athens
Biarritz
Tangier/Fes
Manila
Washington, DC
Vienna
Copenhagen
Hangzhou
Lisbon
Toronto
London
Queenstown
Kuala Lumpur
Mendoza
Dubai
Berlin
Seoul
Cannes
New Delhi (cancelled)
Istanbul
Bali
Madrid
Sydney
Bangkok
Mrs. Virginia Casale (Canada) became the second female president of the association.
2011
India joined as member section and becomes the 40th section of Les Clefs d'Or.
India
2012
Poland joined as member section.
Poland
2013
Mr. Emmanuel Vrettos
Mr. Emmanuel Vrettos (Hellas) became the president of the association.
2014
Qatar and Macau joined as member sections.
Qatar and Macau
2015
Mr. Colin Toomey
Mr. Colin Toomey (Australia) became the president of the association.
2015
The Creation of Working Committees
With the expansion of Les Clefs d'Or several working committees begin to be formed in order to meet the needs of a growing association.
2017
4000 Members
Les Clefs d'Or membership reaches the 4,000 mark globally with members reaching in over 80 countries and 536 destinations reaching six continents around the globe.
2017
Mr. Simon Thomas
Mr. Simon Thomas (Great Britain) became the president of the association.
2018
Indonesia joined as member section.
Indonesia
2019
Mr. Roderick Levejac
Mr. Roderick Levejac (France) became the president of the association.
2021
Mr. Anders Ølsted Jensen
Mr. Anders Ølsted Jensen (Denmark) became the president of the association. For the first time in the association's history, the elections and the General Assembly was held virtually due to the CoronaVirus Pandemic.
2023
Mr. Randy V. Santos
Mr. Randy Santos (Qatar) became the president of the association.
2025
Mr. James Ridenour
Mr. James Ridenour (Australia) became the president of the association.