Friends worldwide.
In service through friendship.
Since when have the congresses been taking place?
On April 25, 1952, the Swiss Ferdinand Gillet organized the first International Congress in Cannes. Representatives from nine nations jointly founded the "L'Union Européenne des Portiers des Grands Hôtels" (UEPGH), also known as "Les Clefs d'Or". The first member states were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Great Britain.
Ferdinand Gilet
How regularly do the congresses take place?
Once a year, concierges from all national associations meet at a multi-day International Congress to network, get to know each other, and cultivate contacts. Since there are now members in over 80 different countries, the International Congress takes place in a different country each year. Individual national associations can apply to host a future International Congress years in advance. In addition to the International Congresses, the individual national associations also hold smaller congresses to exchange information at the national level. In Austria, the National Congress usually takes place every two years. Additionally, there are occasional cross-section congresses, such as the Asia Congress or the Pan-American Congress, although these are held at irregular intervals.
Who is allowed to participate in such a congress?
Participation in international congresses is strictly regulated. Generally, only active members of Les Clefs d'Or and retired members are permitted to attend. Since each active or retired member may register a guest, members who do not yet meet all the requirements for their own registration are also allowed to attend a congress, but only as a guest. There is usually a separate program for guests at the congresses. At the national level, all associate members are, of course, welcome as regular participants.
How do you find out about the conferences?
Les Clefs d'Or members receive invitations to congresses directly from the association. Registration is usually limited to a specific number of participants. Registration for international congresses typically opens six months in advance and usually fills up quickly. During the congresses, all member associations post updates on social media. We have compiled a list of past congress locations below.
70th International Congress
April 12-17, 2026 in Sydney, Australia
8. Nationaler Kongress
25.-28. April 2025 in Velden, Kärnten
69th International Congress
30. März - 4. April 2025 in Madrid, Spanien
7. Nationaler Kongress
23.-26. April 2023 im Salzkammergut
68th International Congress
21.-26. April 2024 in Bali, Indonesien
13th Asian Congress
October 23-27, 2025 in Boracay, Philippines
67th International Congress
11.-15. March 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey
Where have international congresses been held so far?
70. Kongress in Sydney, Australien (2026)
69. Kongress in Madrid, Spanien (2025)
68. Kongress in Bali, Indonesien (2024)
67. Kongress in Istanbul, Türkei (2023)
66. Kongress in Cannes, Frankreich (2019)
65. Kongress in Seoul, Südkorea (2018)
64. Kongress in Berlin, Deutschland (2017)
63. Kongress in Dubai, UAE (2016)
62. Kongress in Mendoza, Argentinien (2015)
61. Kongress in Kuala Lumpur (2014)
60. Kongress in Queenstown, NZ (2013)
59. Kongress in London, UK (2012)
58. Kongress in Toronto, Kanada (2011)
57. Kongress in Lissabon, Portugal (2010)
56. Kongress in Hangzhou, China (2009)
55. Kongress in Kopenhagen, Dänemark (2008)
54. Kongress in Wien, Österreich (2007)
53. Kongress in Washington, USA (2006)
52. Kongress in Manila, Philippinen (2005)
51. Kongress in Tangier/Fes, Marokko (2004)
50. Kongress in Biarritz, Frankreich (2003)
49. Kongress in Athen, Griechenland (2002)
48. Kongress in Brüssel, Belgien (2001)
47. Kongress in Guangzhou, China (2000)
46. Kongress in Prag, Tschechien (1999)
45. Kongress in Budapest, Ungarn (1998)
44. Kongress in Rom, Italien (1997)
43. Kongress in Jerusalem, Israel (1996)
42. Kongress in Sydney, Australien (1995)
41. Kongress in Singapur, Singapur (1994)
40. Kongress in Marrakesch, Marokko (1992)
39. Kongress in Marbella, Spanien (1991)
38. Kongress in Göteborg, Schweden (1990)
37. Kongress in Paris, Frankreich (1989)
36. Kongress in Budapest, Ungarn (1988)
35. Kongress in Washington, USA (1987)
34. Kongress in Tel Aviv, Israel (1986)
33. Kongress in Sorrento, Italien (1985)
32. Kongress in München, Deutschland (1984)
31. Kongress in Funchal, Madeira (1983)
30. Kongress in Barcelona, Spanien (1982)
29. Kongress in Dublin, Irland (1981)
28. Kongress in Monte Carlo, Monaco (1980)
27. Kongress in Rom, Italien (1979)
26. Kongress in Wien, Österreich (1978)
25. Kongress in Kopenhagen, Dänemark (1977)
24. Kongress in Lissabon, Portugal (1976)
23. Kongress in London, UK (1975)
22. Kongress in Tel Aviv, Israel (1974)
21. Kongress in München, Deutschland (1973)
20. Kongress in Palma de Mallorca (1972)
19. Kongress in Dublin, Irland (1971)
18. Kongress in St. Moritz, Schweiz (1970)
17. Kongress in Brüssel, Belgien (1968)
16. Kongress in Athen, Griechenland (1967)
15. Kongress in Genf, Schweiz (1966)
14. Kongress in Madrid, Spanien (1965)
13. Kongress in Casablanca, Marokko (1964)
12. Kongress in Nizza, Frankreich (1963)
11. Kongress in Kopenhagen, Dänemark (1962)
10. Kongress in Wien, Österreich (1961)
09. Kongress in Amsterdam, Holland (1960)
08. Kongress in London & Lourdes (1959)
07. Kongress in Brüssel & Berlin (1958)
06. Kongress in Dublin, Irland (1957)
05. Kongress in Montreux, Schweiz (1956)
04. Kongress in Marrakesch & Paris (1955)
03. Kongress in München, Deutschland (1954)
02. Kongress in San Remo, Italien (1953)
01. Kongress in Cannes, Frankreich (1952)