History

Our umbrella organisation was founded in autumn 1929 by Pierre Quentin, who was Head Concierge of the Hotel Ambassador in Paris at the time. Together with ten or so colleagues, it was agreed that they would join forces, effectively pooling their knowledge and contacts. What started out in France, followed by Sweden and the Netherlands, developed into “L’Union Européenne des Portiers des Grands Hotels (UEPGH)” in April 1952 under the patronage of Ferdinand Gillet (Chief Concierge of the Hôtel Scribe in Paris). Altogether nine founder countries were members of the organisation at the time. By 1970, 16 countries belonged to the association. In the meantime, the “Golden Keys” had also been adopted as the organisation’s symbol. At the 20th International Congress in 1972, the association changed from a purely European organisation to an international one, enabling countries such as Canada, Singapore and Brazil to obtain membership. At the 42nd International Congress in January 1995, the organisation was officially renamed the “Union Internationale des Clefs d’Or” and later the “Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hotels Les Clefs d’Or”. Our world-wide association now has almost 4,500 members from more than 46 countries.