2013 Concierge of the Year Nominees

David Almada W New York

Years of Service: 7 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC (Board of Directors) How and when did I become a Concierge? I started in the hospitality industry in the prestigious Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California. My first occupation was as a Cashier. I then transitioned my status to a Valet Parking Attendant. I managed the Cashiers, Valet Parking, Bellmen and Doormen and contributed my services for 11 consecutive years. I then ventured out to New York Citythe most exhilarating city in the world. I used my expertise as a Bellman and Doorman at the fashionable W New York hotel. While I was exploring the fascinating lifestyle in New York, I was introduced to the extraordinary field of Concierge. I became intrigued with the substantial amount of information about the Big Apple. The opportunity presented itself for me to be part of the wish makers team of Concierges at the W Hotel, and I am highly mesmerized by the enthusiastic career of being a Concierge. It has been a pleasure to serve this year as a Membership Director for the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges. What does being a Concierge mean to me? The role of a Concierge coincides with the satisfaction of fulfilling the guests utmost expectations and necessities to help ensure their best New York City experience. The intellectual status of a Concierge consists of an excessive amount of knowledge of the strong continuity of the citys intensive, constant history and evolvement of places, parks, museums, restaurants, clubs, lounges, theater, entertainment, etc. The career of a Concierge is complex at times, but it is a rewarding and beneficial field. I am honored to be part of these illuminated professionals. Our main goal is to assist our precious guests to the fullest with our accommodations and recommendations. After all, being a Concierge is a way of life for us. It has been my honor to have been nominated last year as Concierge of the Year by the Silver Plume Committee, and Im excited for this years 2013 nomination. I would like to thank the entire Concierge community for believing in me, as well as for your unwavering support. All the best. a Concierge at the iconic, Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York. I serve the Concierge community on the Board of Directors of the NYCAHC in the capacity of Public Relations. Prior to this position, I held the positions of Social Director, Secretary and Membership Director. New York City is the international travel destination and I am engaged daily through the opportunity of sharing my passion for the Concierge profession! What does being a Concierge mean to me? It means representing the profession of Concierge within the hotel, within the community and providing expert service to the guests who stay at our hotel and visit our great city. Being a Concierge also means that I represent my hotel group as an ambassador in my travels and that I constantly strive to uphold the high standards of conduct of Les Clefs d'Or through my professional behavior. With a genuine desire to create magic and ensure unforgettable guest experiences, the only hotel position for me is being a Concierge! What does being a Concierge mean to me? Being a Concierge means being a showman, magician and ambassador, as well as being a professional with business skills, computer knowledge and the latest technology. It combines a passion for people and a passion for New York City. I get to use my intuition and creativity to delight guests and ensure they receive what they wanted, and, whenever possible, things they never knew they wanted! While juggling many balls in the air, the Concierge has to appear smooth and charming. The best Concierges are multitaskers with a good sense of humor. Memorizing exact key addresses and phone numbers are always helpful when technology fails. Unlike any other department in the hotel, the Concierge becomes a confidant to the guest, and through one-on-one contact creates meaningful guest relationships. I truly feel I have never left my first love of performing because I get to do it every day in the role of Concierge. at the trendy Hudson New York Hotel. Later on, I moved to the W New York. Now, I am very happy to be at the legendary Plaza Hotel. What does being a Concierge mean to me? Being a Concierge in New York City is a very prestigious and highly esteemed position. Hotel guests come to our desk asking for advice and the best recommendations. The Concierge is seen as a problem solver, someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can make their wishes come true. Friends and family are also always asking me, the Concierge, where I would go and what I would do. It can be challenging at times because you always want to deliver the best service, get your guests into the best restaurants and nightclubs and get them the best seats to Kinky Boots or Matilda The Musical. It is also a job where you are always learning or hearing about something new. There is always a new show, new restaurant or new trend to stay on top of. It is also very rewarding because making people happy makes me happy. how to be self-reliant, a self-starter and a tremendous multitasker. In the spring of 2010, I accepted a position as a Concierge of the opening team at the W New York Downtown. During my time here, I have had the opportunity to join the NYCAHC as a full member, participate in many charity events and community service. What does being a Concierge mean to me? Being a Concierge means to be the go-to person in the hotel for the interior guests (colleagues) and exterior guests (hotel guests) for insider information about the city. Along with arranging childcare services, event tickets, restaurants reservations, transportation services and other requests, we create moments for our guests. By discretely listening in to guests conversations, we can glean information they may not have given to us when making their reservations. Some guests may be discussing a birthday, anniversary, romantic getaway without the kids, or a first date. These bits of information allow us to surprise our guests and exceed their expectations. The education that I have been receiving by being a member of the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges is beyond compare. I am learning what it truly means to be In service through friendship. My charity work has included MillionTreesNYC and Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk.

Francisco Andeliz The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York

Years of Service: 8 | Organizational Affiliations: Les Clefs dOr USA, NYCAHC (Board of Directors) How and when did I become a Concierge? In 2004, I began my hospitality career as a Front Desk Agent for one of the largest hotel chains in the United States, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. After my short stint as an Agent with the Westin New York at Times Square, I was given the opportunity to transfer to the Concierge Department. While working as a Concierge, I was also able to participate and complete the Starwood Front Office Managers development program, which broadened my hotel knowledge. In 2010, I transferred to the W New York Times Square to experience another thrilling brand within the Starwood group of hotels. Currently, I am

Michael Bordenick The Surrey

Years of Service: 17 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC, Les Clefs dOr USA How and when did I become a Concierge? I came to New York (before the turn of the century!) to become an actor, singer and dancer. That dream changed when I was working at the Cashier of The Pierre, A Four Seasons Hotel, New York. I had the perfect view of the Concierge Desk and observed they were constantly busy. I found if I dialed *7 I could answer their line to help them out, which I did with ever-growing fervor. I applied to become Concierge three times before I won Employee of The Year and finally convinced my General Manager to transfer me.

James Lamboglia The Plaza hotel

Years of Service: 10 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC (Board of Directors), Les Clefs dOr USA How and when did I become a Concierge? Born in San Francisco, my career in the hospitality industry started as a Front Desk Receptionist at a small boutique hotel in San Francisco called the Commodore, part of the Joie de Vivre hotel collection. While there, I learned everything about working in a hotel: checking in guests, concierge, reservations, even acting as a bellman. I then moved to Chicago and worked as a Front Desk Agent at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Chicagorenowned for its exceptional service. I worked my way up to Front Office Management and transferred to Chicagos sister property in Manhattan, the Four Seasons Hotel New York. In New York, I started to become interested in the idea of becoming a Concierge. I became the Chef Concierge

Nicole Longchamp W New York Downtown

Years of Service: 5 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC, Soka Gakkai International for Peace through Culture and Education, W New York Downtowns Green Council How and when did I become a Concierge? My career in hospitality began in 1997 as a PBX telephone operator. I walked in to Le Parker Mridien hotelat the time when one could walk-in and applyfilled out an application, which followed with five interviews (starting with Human Resources up to the General Manager). I became a supervisor after three months working there, for a total of one-and-a-half years of service. After practicing massage therapy and living abroad in Italy during the spring of 2000, I returned to hotels as a Guest Service Agent in the Soho Grand Hotel and then transferred to the sister property, Tribeca Grand Hotel, as a Room Service Server for three years. I traveled the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas for nearly two years on luxury motor yachts as a crewmember for nautical hospitality. I returned to land-based hospitality as a Concierge/Front Desk Agent at the NU Hotel in Brooklyn for two years. Working at the NU Hotel taught me