London Hosts Prestigious International Concierge Congress 27 January to 1 February 2012

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. January 26, 2012

January 25, 2012 - As London prepares to host the 2012 Olympics more than 600 concierges representing
the finest hotels in 40 countries, arrive in the capital this week for their annual congress.
This will be the first time since 1975 that the Union Internationale des Concierges Hotels
(Les Clefs d'Or) has chosen London as the venue for its annual congress.

On 30 January the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel will host a forum of top concierges and leading experts from the hospitality industry. Discussions will focus on the role of hotel concierges, highlighting strategic, operational, marketing and technological advances in the hospitality industry.

InterContinental Hotel Group Chairman, David Webster will give the keynote speech.

The expert panel consists of:

• Robert Gaymer-Jones: CEO Sofitel Worldwide (Paris, France)
  
• Paul James: Vice President Global Brand Management, St Regis/Starwood
• Andrea Torrance: Vice President, Rooms at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
  
• Stuart Johnson: General Manager Brown's Hotel: Chairman of The Master
• Darren Gearing: Vice President and GM, Shangri-La London.
• Simon Scoot: Vice President Global Brand Management InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

During their stay, delegates will sample some of the capital's top tourist attractions, including the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and Hampton Court Palace. They will also visit the Olympic Park in Stratford to see preparations for this summer's Games.

The highlight of the congress will be a Gala Dinner at the Great Room, Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel.

GB Golden Key's President Ron Crowdy said:

• 'The distinctive crossed Golden Keys on the lapels of your concierge is an assurance of quality and integrity. Whatever you need to know, your Golden Keys concierge has the contacts to source, obtain, reserve, recommend, advise, and personalise your stay in their city.'*

• 'It is a great honour for London to host this prestigious congress in the Olympic and Diamond Jubilee year.'*

GB President Ron Crowdy has been a concierge for over forty years with the Imperial London Hotels group. The Golden Keys' international title is Les Clefs d'Or.

It is the professional association representing 3,500 hotel concierges around the world.

The motto of the organisation is In Service through Friendship .

It is estimated that the worldwide membership serves over 120,000,000 hotel guests each year, giving exceptional service.

To obtain the coveted Golden Keys badge a concierge must have five years' exemplary service and face rigorous examination before being awarded the coveted Golden Keys which are worn on the lapels of a concierge's jacket.

The award of the Golden Keys brings prestige on the recipient and the hotel they represent.

Contacts

Congress Chair
Paul Still, Senior Concierge London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel
T: 07846182157; E: [email protected]

Education Chair
Simon Thomas, 3rd International Vice-President Les Clefs d'Or,
Head Concierge Brown's Hotel London - A Rocco Forte Hotel.
T: 07710197612; E: [email protected]

Media Liaison Officer
Nigel Bowen, Head Concierge Sheraton Park Lane Hotel London.
T: 07841482955; E: [email protected]

President of Society of the Golden Keys, GB Section of Les Clefs d'Or
Ron Crowdy.
T: 07957292567; E: [email protected]

Websites
Congress of L'Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hotels - Les Clefs d'Or
www.uich2012london.com

Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain & The Commonwealth
www.goldenkeysconcierge.co.uk