Quintin McLeod, Assistant Concierge at the Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane, has been named as the newest member of the prestigious Le Clefs d’Or industry association, earning his Golden Keys after a five-year effort to achieve the association’s exacting selection criteria.
To earn membership, an applicant must be supported by a letter of recommendation and reference from two fellow Le Clefs d’Or members, along with a minimum five years’ experience as a Concierge, three of which as a Chief Concierge.
McLeod becomes only the 58th Australian member of the elite collection of concierges worldwide adorning the Golden Keys on their lapel. In doing so, the Emporium Hotel South Bank becomes the only hotel in Queensland with two Le Clefs d’Or members, the other being the hotel’s Chief Concierge Graham Hodgson.
With over two decades in the hospitality sector, McLeod has plied his trade through concierge roles in Brisbane including The Sebel & Citigate, Capri by Fraser and the Stamford Plaza Brisbane, where he was the Chief Concierge.
Le Clefs d’Or was founded in France in 1952 and today boasts over 4,000 members worldwide, with membership to qualified candidates bestowed for life. Membership is earned by a hotel concierge showcasing the organisation’s two key pillars – service and friendship – on a consistent basis and whose professional lives are dominated by a commitment to serve their guests with the highest level of care at all times. The keys are recognised worldwide as a marque of absolute professionalism by the bearer in their field.
Emporium Hotel South Bank Peter Savoff – an honorary Le Clefs d’Or member himself – said the hotel was lucky to have Quintin among the concierge team.
“This is no small achievement by Quintin and we are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that was necessary to receive the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or (The Golden Keys).”
McLeod said the honour was the highlight of his career to date.
A superior concierge must know everything about his or her city and must be extremely personable as a good concierge is a one stop tourist shop. My goal now is to become the best I can be at Emporium Hotel South Bank and to work with the Queensland members of Les Clefs d’Or to try to get the Asia Pacific Congress to Brisbane, if not the World Congress.”