Purposes of Meetings in the Americas and Around the World
The annual congresses—both national and international—serve five major functions:
-
The annual business meeting and open forum discussions allow members to stay focused on the well being of the association.
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The educational symposia and/or guest speakers impart new knowledge and provide continued training for the concierge professional.
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Highlighted features of the destination cities promote the travel and tourism industry in general and allow the concierges to experience the best of the cities firsthand.
- The meetings cement old friendships, create new ones, and ensure that the networking efforts of concierges, both nationally and globally, continue to grow and flourish.
- The display and exchange of collateral materials provide concierges with a receptive sales and marketing forum where they can showcase their hotel properties.
In an effort to assist its neighbors to the north and south, USA’s Congresseshave become, in effect, Pan-American gatherings, with members from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and other Latin/South American countries also in attendance. The first Pan-American Congress was held in 1991 in Chicago.
The Andy Pongco Award
Every year since his passing in 2006, the International Executive Directors of the UICH have asked each member section to nominate an individual for the Andy Pongco Award. This award seeks to continue the efforts Andy Pongco made throughout his Concierge career to mentor, educate and foster the growth of new, young Concierges throughout Asia by inspiring their involvement within our professional associations.
The eligible US delegate nominee for the Andy Pongco Award will receive paid registration and airfare to attend the upcoming International UICH congress. While at the congress, the USA nominee along with other nominees from member UICH sections will have the chance to meet with the UICH Executive Board and the Andy Pongco Committee during their decision making process.
The following criteria must be met in order to be considered eligible for the award:
- Applicant must be a member of Les Clefs d’Or
- Applicant must be under the age of 35
- Applicant must be fluent in English
- Applicant must be attending their first International meeting Applicant must be nominated by their nation’s section to attend Toronto
- Applicant must provide a hotel-issued business card (scanned) with title of ‘Concierge’
- Once above criteria have been met, applicants must submit an essay containing a minimum of 1,000 words explaining why they should be considered; mentioning their interest in the profession and their aspirations.
The History of Les Clefs d'Or USA and Pan American* Congresses
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Chicago |
| 2012 | Las Vegas |
| 2011 | Boston |
| 2010 | Argentina* |
| 2009 | Ft. Lauderdale,Miami, Palm Beach [South Florida]* |
| 2008 | Vancouver, BC* |
| 2007 | New York City |
| 2006 | Puerto Vallarta* |
| 2005 | New Orleans* |
| 2004 | San Antonio |
| 2003 | Rio de Janeiro* |
| 2002 | Las Vegas* |
| 2001 | Quebec* |
| 2000 | Santa Fe |
| 1999 | Miami* |
| 1998 | Seattle* |
| 1997 | Acapulco* |
| 1996 | Los Angeles* |
| 1995 | Washington, DC |
| 1994 | Toronto* |
| 1993 | San Francisco |
| 1992 | New York City |
| 1991 | Chicago |
| 1990 | Portland |
| 1989 | San Diego |
| 1988 | Boston |
| 1987 | Houston |
| 1986 | New York City |
| 1985 | New Orleans |
| 1984 | San Francisco |
| 1983 | Chicago |
| 1982 | (annulled) |
| 1981 | Dallas |
The History of UICH International Congresses
|
Date |
Location |
|---|---|
|
2012 |
Great Britain |
|
2011 |
Canada |
|
2010 |
Portugal |
| 2009 | China |
| 2008 | Copenhagen |
| 2007 | Austria |
| 2006 | Washington, DC |
| 2005 | Philippines |
| 2004 | Tangier / Fes |
| 2003 | Biarritz (Moved to Jan. 2003 From 2002) |
| 2002 | (2002 Biarritz) |
| 2002 | Athens (Moved to Feb. 2002 From 2001) |
| 2001 | (2001 Athens) |
| 2001 | Brussels (Moved to Jan. 2001 From 2000) |
| 2000 | (2000 Brussels) |
| 2000 | Guangzhou/China (Moved to Jan. 2000 From 1999) |
| 1999 | (1999 Guangzhou/China) |
| 1999 | Prague (Moved to Feb. 1999 From 1998) |
| 1998 | (1998 Prague) |
| 1997 | Budapest |
| 1997 | Rome (Moved to Jan. 1997 From 1996) |
| 1996 | (1996 Rome) |
| 1995 | Jerusalem |
| 1994 | Sydney |
| 1993 | Singapore |
| 1992 | Tangier / Marrakech |
| 1991 | Costa del Sol |
| 1990 | Gothenburg |
| 1989 | Paris |
| 1988 | Budapest |
| 1987 | Washington, DC |
| 1986 | Tel Aviv |
| 1985 | Sorrento |
| 1984 | Munich |
| 1983 | Funchal / Madeira |
| 1982 | Barcelona |
| 1981 | Dublin |
| 1980 | Monte Carlo |
| 1979 | Rome |
| 1978 | Vienna |
| 1977 | Copenhagen |
| 1976 | Lisbon |
| 1975 | London |
| 1974 | Tel Aviv |
| 1973 | Munich |
| 1972 | Palma de Majorca |
| 1971 | Dublin |
| 1970 | St. Moritz |
| 1969 | (annulled) |
| 1968 | Brussels |
| 1967 | Athens |
| 1966 | Geneva |
| 1965 | Madrid |
| 1964 | Tangier / Casablanca |
| 1963 | Nice |
| 1962 | Copenhagen |
| 1961 | Vienna |
| 1960 | Amsterdam |
| 1959 | London / Lourdes |
| 1958 | Brussels / Berlin |
| 1957 | Dublin |
| 1956 | Montreux |
| 1955 | Marrakech / Paris |
| 1954 | Munich |
| 1953 | San Remo |
| 1952 | Cannes |
