History
A Danish section with international roots.
The story of Les Clefs d’Or Denmark connects local concierge craft with a wider international tradition built on service, friendship, and professional trust.
International roots
Service and friendship across borders.
Les Clefs d’Or began as a professional movement for hotel concierges in France in 1929 and grew into an international association in 1952. Its strength has always been practical: trusted colleagues helping one another serve guests better.
Danish foundation
A Danish section from the earliest years.
The Danish concierge association traces its roots to 23 January 1937, when The Golden Keys of Denmark was founded at Grand Café on Kongens Nytorv. Denmark later became part of the early international Les Clefs d’Or story.
International History
From France to a worldwide concierge fellowship.
Les Clefs d’Or was founded nationally in France in 1929 and internationally in 1952. The first international congress took place on 25 April 1952 at The Carlton Hotel in Cannes, where concierge colleagues gathered around a shared belief in service and friendship.
Ferdinand Gillet was central to connecting concierge professionals across borders. The crossed golden keys became the enduring symbol of professional concierge excellence, and in 1998 the association became UICH — Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hôtels “Les Clefs d’Or”.
Danish History
Founded in Copenhagen, connected internationally.
Denmark was part of the international Les Clefs d’Or story from the beginning. The Danish concierge association dates back to 23 January 1937, when The Golden Keys of Denmark was founded at Grand Café on Kongens Nytorv.
Denmark was represented among the early countries around the 1952 international formation, and Copenhagen later hosted the International Les Clefs d’Or Congress in 1962, 1977, and 2008.
Timeline
Important dates.
Les Clefs d’Or founded in France
The national French association brought hotel concierges together around professional standards, shared knowledge, and mutual support.
The Danish association is founded
The Golden Keys of Denmark is founded on 23 January at Grand Café on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen.
First international congress in Cannes
On 25 April, concierge colleagues gathered at The Carlton Hotel in Cannes. Ferdinand Gillet played a central role in bringing the international network together.
Copenhagen hosts the congress
Copenhagen welcomes the International Les Clefs d’Or Congress, marking Denmark’s active place in the international association.
The congress returns to Copenhagen
Denmark again hosts international colleagues, continuing the exchange of service knowledge and professional friendship.
The association becomes UICH
The international association adopts the name UICH — Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hôtels “Les Clefs d’Or”.
Copenhagen hosts once more
The Danish section hosts the International Les Clefs d’Or Congress for a third time in Copenhagen.
Danish Presidents
Previous Danish presidents.
1937–1938
R Weber
1938–1954
Chr. Lisberg Larsen
1954–1970
Poul Krarup
1970–1977
Verner Lykke Larsen
1977–1993
Alfred K Andersen
1993–1996
Leif Kongslev
1996–2012
Arshad Khokhar
2012–2015
Anders Ølsted Jensen
2015–2016
Christian Runge
2016–2023
Uffe Sørensen
2023–present
Michelle Exarhos