Zone newsletter updated 2 - De Gyldne Nøgler – Dansk Hotel

LES CLEFS D’OR SCANDINAVIAN ZONE NEWSLETTER
Dear friends & colleagues, happy New Year 2013. Welcome to read the very first Scandinavian Zone
newsletter, where you can find news and stories from the past year. Year 2012 has been full of events,
challenges, changes- Moments of joy & sorrow & passion. The picture above presents the Scandinavian
presidents, Pascal Gaudio, Finland, Sami Joutsenvuo, Scandinavian Zone, Anders Ruggiero, Denmark, Olow
Frank, Sweden, Kim Ertsås, Norway.
Since
e our Zone meeting in Copenhagen we have had a turbulent time. Our beloved Treasurer Gunnar Kappe
passed away on September 8th. Many of our members attended the funeral to say goodbye to Gunnar and to
show support to Mrs. Ellen Kappe during this difficult time.
A few days after the funeral, on September 14th we gathered our members to have a Members Meeting to
inform everyone about the changes that where taking place. I also informed about the changes of the board
and asked each member who they recommended
recommended for a position in Les Clefs d’Or Norway.
Our new board is:
President: Kim Ertsås, Grand Hotel
Vice President: Henning Kletvang, Grand Hotel (Inactive until March’13 due to temporary position as Front Desk Manager)
Treasurer: Joachim Lauritzen, Grand Hotel
Secretary: Karoline Raftevold Ihler, Hotel Continental (Inactive until June’13, due to maternity leave)
Secretary: Ola Husby, Hotel Continental (temporary until June’13 for Karoline Raftevold Ihler)
The new board has been working with updating information on our section in the Norwegian business
register. This has been a difficult task since this hasn’t been updated since 2007, and should have been done
every time there were changes on our board. We have then needed to contact old members to get their
signature for approval of changes, and new board acceptance. This was approved on Thursday 25th October.
The final task we had in 2012 was getting fully control of our finance. This was approved before Tuesday
30th October, and we could do the payment for the participation on the PAN European Congress in
Bucharest on November 8th to 11th.
Since we are hosting the Zone Meeting in Oslo next year we have already put down a committee to handle
this. This committee stands with the following people.
Stian Andre Jespersen, Rica G20
Linn Heigrestad, Hotel Continental
Ola Husby, Hotel Continental
Joachim Lauritzen, Grand Hotel
Kim Ertsås, Grand Hotel
kim and Joachim attended the 1st Pan European Congress in Bucharest.
Norways long time member, Mr. Mogens Andersen was nominated as a honorary member. He will also get
the international honorarymember certificate in New Zealand congress. Mogens will be retiring on January
9th. We wish Mogens pleasant retirement days.
SUOMEN HOTELLIPORTIEERIT–THE GOLDEN KEYS OF FINLAND RY –
LES CLEFS D’OR FINLANDE
Year 2012 was full with events, as usual.
19.01.2012 Christmas Sauna, Best Western Hotel Haaga. This yearly event exceptionally took place in
January in Hotel Haaga. It is a great opportunity to experience the Sauna facilities available in the city and in
it’s hotels.
27.01-01.02.2012 59th UICH Les Clefs d’Or International Congress took place in London. The Finnish section
was well represented With Sami Joutsenvuo, Petra Rissanen, Markus Peura and Late Kovanen and
International Honorary member Hannu Kovanen. Their presence was well noted as they dressed with
Traditional colorful northern Sami outfits one evening.
27.02.2012 Annual Bowling Tournament. This annual event took place in Ruusula bowling alley.. This year
the ultimate champion was Late Kovanen who is the CEO of Helsinki Limo, sponsor of LCD Finland.
08.03.2012 Trip to Sweden. The board travel to Sweden and are welcome by Olow Frank, who organized
fantastic meeting room at the Grand Hotel. During the members gathering at Restaurang Gotland, New
member Sean Naughton from The Rival Hotel was welcomed to LDC Family and was given the keys.
Over all The Swedish section is doing strong. Olow and his team are working hard in order to grow the
association. Swedish section will stand on their own in the future. You can check their own webpage
www.shpf.se for more news.
March 2012, first draft of the new Website design by Pascal Gaudio and programmed by Pete Stockley IT
student who is giving his time for free. This year, Petri Uronen organized free night voucher sponsored by
Radisson Blu Plaza as a reward for Mr. Stockley ‘s work. The website purpose is to give information about
Suomen Hotelliportieerit in an attractive lay out the represent well the countries they represent.
www.hotelliportieerit.org
Pleas also check our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/groups/20378353848/?ref=ts&fref=ts
31.03.2012 32th Annual General Assembly. In Scandic Continental, Sami Joutsenvuo President of LCD
Finland, Sweden and Estonia announced that he will step down as he reached the maximum time for
presidency and suggested Board member Pascal Gaudio to be proposed by the Board as a candidate for
Presidency. Sami and the entire new executive board promised to prepare and guide when needed Pascal
for his new challenge as President.
Pascal Gaudio, chef concierge at Hotel Haven was elected as the new President of Les clef d’or Finland,
Sweden and Estonia.
President: Pascal Gaudio Hotel Haven, Helsinki
Vice President: Petri Uronen Radisson Blu Plaza, Helsinki
Other member of the Board:
Pekka Aroketo Radisson Blu Seaside, Helsinki
Janne Ant-Wuorinen Hotel Haven, Helsinki
Kalle Valjento Radisson Blu Plaza, Helsinki
Petra Rissanen Sokos Hotel Pasila
Alternates:
Markku Virolainen Radisson Blu Plaza, Helsinki
Erkki Kerttula Hotel Haven, Helsinki
Scandinavian Zone Director: Sami Joutsenvuo Scandic Continental, Helsinki
Treasurer: Kalle Valjento
Secretary of the Board: Markus Peura. Picture taken in the presidential suite of Scandic Continental.
The dinner celebration were held in the historic dining room of restaurant Pääkontori, restaurant of
Radisson Blu Plaza.
April 2012 in Italy Pascal Gaudio met Mr. Mario D’Orta LCD President of Le Chiavi d’Oro Associazione
Regional Campagna and was invited on the Island of Ischia to share a sublime dinner with the members.
26.04.2012 Borad meeting and celebration of 60th anniversary of the UICH. The Dinner was sponsored by
Jarmo Salonen, owner of Restaurant Flada 13.
May 2012 Cross promotion LCD – Hotel Haven via Haaga-Helia youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iUhoCdAZVM&feature=youtu.be&fb_source=message
On May sami Joutsenvuo participated Danish section 75th anniversary in Copenhagen.
7 and 15.05.2012. Palace Kämp by the sea - event. Members were invited for a tour to visit Palace Kämp by
the sea Island restaurants.
16.05.2012 Summer Info. This event consists of discussions of summer happenings in Helsinki. The meeting
was held in Restaurant Zetor . European Athletic Championship 2012 and Helsinki Limo held special
presentation of their projects and plans.
12.06.2012 Pool tournament. This annual event took place in Ritz Bijardi. This year ultimate champion was
Timo Kovanen, with the runner up in second place our new board member Petra Rissanen.
04.07.2012 Traditional outdoor 4th of July. This year the activity was sponsored by Natura Viva, for 4 hours
kayaking in on the sea in the surrounding of Helsinki from the Vuosaari Paddling center, it was a beautiful
sunny day and everyone enjoyed themselves. The evening sauna and buffet dinner were held on top floor
sauna of Elmo Sports & Grill.
31.07.2012 Meeting at Restaurant Saari. This became a tradition of a great cooperation.
The owners of A&S restaurants invited and sponsored a dinner/meeting in of their
restaurant called Saari situated on an Island.
August 2012 Pascal Gaudio attended the LCD Irish monthly meeting at the Corad Hotel With Denis O’Brien,
Paul Fitzsimons and current President Martin Mulholland.
17-19.8.2012 Scandinavian Zone Meeting in Copenhagen, The Finnish section was very pleased to
participate with most of the board members travelling to the wonderful capital of Denmark. The meeting
was very constructive for future project and cooperation. And a Special thanks to the Danish section for
making this event memorable. Sami Joutsenvuo also participated the Swedish board meeting.
20.08.2012 WDC 2012. Helsinki was the World Design Capital, the organizers met members at the Pavilion
activity center. We also have organized to invite all receptionists and concierges working in the hotels of
Helsinki. The purpose was to inform about WDC 2012 and inform about Les clefs d’Or Finland for future
possible recruitment.
02.09.2012 Crayfish party was organized this year by CC-Kilta, the headwaiters association at NJK Club on
the island of Koivusaari.
12.09.2012 Kullo Golf Tournament. Best Score
Score to Niko Hellgren and Erkki Kartano. After this Successful
event, meeting took place and Kullo golf became our official Sponsor.
12.09.2012 The Scandinavian Zone Director Sami Joutsenvuo took part of the ExCo meeting in Macau.
Michael Romei presented the new Les Clefs d’Or Finland Website at the ExCo Meeting at the Galaxy Macau
in China. Take a look at the webpage, www.hotelliportieerit.org
30.10.2012 Friendly traditional Poker night. Annual event at the Helsinki Casino. Second Place Kale K. and
The winner was Past President LCD Finland Kari Toivanen.
November 2012. Meeting and concept has been defined and improve for mentoring programme With Les
Clefs d’Or Finlande for the student of EDUPOLI.
8.11.2012. 1st Pan European UICH Les Clefs d’Or Congress. Sami Joutsenvuo attended as the President of
Les Clefs d’Or Finland & Scandinavian Zone Director.
17 December 2012. Traditional Christmas Sauna. This year event of Christmas Sauna will be in Elmo rooftop
Sauna.
Quarter page Sponsor thank you ad in International Herald tribune was published on Dec. 19th.
Thank you IHT!
Future Plans and projects:
- Press release, SHP/LCD FInland who we are, what we do, economic impact, strengthen sponsors
- Trip to Tallinn, New member Mr. Madis Alvela from Swissotel Tallinn Estonia will receive Les Clefs d’Or
pins.
- NAISTEN KYMPPI - FUN RUN www.naistenkymppi.fi , This is a new event we would like to organize where
the Ladies would participate to Finland biggest sporting event and the gentlemen cheer and encourage
them along the way. The initial idea would be to find sponsor for this event.
- Improving Suomen Hotelliportieerit Website as a tourism tool for Concierge and possibly for guests
- Kovanen Limo company invites members to a hockey match HIFK-Ässät, Finnish National hockey league in
their lounge at the arena.
- Trip to Porvoo. A new event is plan to be organize in cooperation with Helsinki Limo
- Restaurant ZETOR, the sponsor of LCD Finland will provide VIP cards for all members
- LCD Pascal Gaudio President invited for launch and participation of our Les Clefs d'Or members to be
featured in Forbes Travel Startle.Com.
- Preparation of this special Academic/Educational project to be presented in next international congress, in
New Zeland.
UICH Finnish members 25
Pascal Gaudio
President of Les Clefs d’Or Finlande
1.
De Gyldne Nøgler – Les Clefs d’Or Denmark
Dear member & dear reader,
Already the beginning of a new year of our Association and I am happy to announce that the Danish Section
is growing stronger and stronger every year. This thanks to all our members and partners both locally and
internationally.
Our number of activities is approximately 2 every month and contains everything from restaurant visits to
pre-premieres of theatre plays to keynote speakers.
2012 gave us many great and memorable experiences:
A new board and new President for the first time in more than 16 years;
Our annual AGM were held On January 19 at the Royal Library, The Black Diamond, in Copenhagen.
Afterwards the new board and participating members enjoyed a fabulous dinner at restaurant, Søren K.
The event was sponsored by the restaurant.
Also in January we had 10 participants for the 59th International Congress in London. We would like to
thank Past President Mr. Ron Crowdy, President Mr. Paul Still and his organizing committee for the
wonderful and most memorable congress. We really enjoyed the program you made for us!
In April we celebrated our 75 years anniversary with participation from our Scandinavian brothers and
sisters with International visit from President of Germany Mr. Christian Netzle and his darling wife Angie.
The weekend was kicked off at a nice wine shop, Vinoble, where we had a wonderful wine tasting. On the
second day we had a nice excursion to North Zealand to visit one of the many castles, a lovely lunch at
Brasseriet in Gilleleje and in the evening we had our Anniversary gala dinner at Marketenderiet, a venue
many of you may remember from our latest international congress in Copenhagen. The last day we had a
nice brunch at Toldboden with a private boat tour of the Harbor of Copenhagen. Below a group photo from
the gala dinner from Marketenderiet.
In August we held our annual and very popular openair theatre event at Grønnegaards Teatret. This year a
play of Moliere’s Tartuffe and food from various partners and friends of our dear association, Reinwalds,
Che Fe, Cofoco, KogT, Dessertdragen, Koefoed and Willumsen. The wine were kindly sponsored by AVIS Car
Rental.
A week later we had the pleasure of arranging the yearly Scandinavian Zone Meeting with visit from
International General Secretary Mr. Michael Romei. The Zone have also agreed on inviting members from
the participating sections to get more value in to the meetings. This year we had 3 members from Sweden,
2 from Norway and 8 from Finland. We had a very constructive meeting and weekend. All delegates stayed
at Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center where all meetings were also held. Mr. Svante Isberg from AMEX
Scandinavia and Mrs. Carina Pierre Rochard from the IHT stayed at Imperial Hotel. AMEX and IHT were
main sponsors of this magnificent weekend where we also agreed on doing this great zone newsletter!
Past President Mr. Arshad Khokhar and President Anders Ruggiero also attended the 1st Pan European
Congress in Bucharest. We had a great time and would like to thank President Catalin Malureanu and team
for a great work and setup.
Another thing we are very proud of is our member card for all our national members. The card gives our
members a lot of possibilities with our various partners. Everything from free sightseeing tours to various
discounts at restaurants, bars and night clubs. The card is of great value to our members and partners of
Danish Les Clefs d'Or, and new sponsors and partners are also very interested in being part of this.
If you would like to know more about the Danish Section, we highly recommend you to follow us on
Facebook on our closed group for members only and on our fanpage.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/42087211342/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/De-Gyldne-N%C3%B8gler-Danmark-Les-Clefs-dOrDenmark/126478784093682
www.concierge.dk
Sending you all my heartiest wishes for a fantastic 2013! Hope to see many of you in New Zealand in April
or at another UICH event during the year.
In Service Through Friendship,
Anders
I wish everyone busy & pleasant year 2013. The whole Scandinavian team are ready to assist you on your
matters here in the north. Service through friendship!
Sami Joutsenvuo
Les Clefs d’Or Scandinavian Zone Director.