Les Clefs d'Or concierge at international meeting

Queenstown's youngest Les Clefs d'Or concierge, Nathan Wise (30), left for Toronto on Friday to attend the organisation's annual world congress where he will represent New Zealand.

Mr Wise gained his golden keys three years ago and is New Zealand's first concierge to be nominated for one of the prestigious Les Clefs d'Or world congress awards.

Employed by Crowne Plaza Queenstown, he is one of only two Les Clefs d'Or-certified concierges in the resort and will soon take up the role of chief concierge at the Hilton Hotel, expected to open at Kawarau Falls development in May.

Mr Wise was nominated for the Andy Pongco Young Concierge of the Year Award by the president of the Hotel Concierge Society Les Clefs d'Or New Zealand (HCSNZ), Franz Staufer, and the executive committee.

Andy Pongco, who died in 2007, was first international vice-president of the Union Internationale des Concierges Hôtels (UICH) Les Clefs d'Or.

The winner of the coveted award receives an invitation to participate at the next International Congress in London as a guest of UICH.

Mr Wise was required to compete against young international Les Clefs d'Or concierges in a series of written and online tests and interviews that challenge his Les Clefs d'Or, concierge, and food and drink knowledge.

He said representing the best of New Zealand hospitality at the world congress would be an honour. He had aspired to become a concierge since watching Michael J. Fox in For Love or Money (also named The Concierge).

"It's incredible to be the first ever New Zealand concierge nominated for a Les Clefs d'Or award.

"I'm delighted to be among the delegates representing HCSNZ and will be proud to be there as a reflection of the exceptional service in Queenstown.

"In 2013, myself and Sofitel concierge Brian Wilkinson [the only other Les Clefs d'Or representative in Queenstown] will host the Les Clefs d'Or annual world congress here, so the Toronto experience will be extremely valuable."

Originally from Sydney, Mr Wise has more than 10 years' frontline hospitality experience in hotels in downtown Sydney and Whistler, Canada.

He has lived in New Zealand for seven years and moved to Queenstown in 2004 with his Canadian partner.

Mr Wise raised funds for the trip with an online auction for an Ultimate Queenstown package reaching $2010.

The package included activities with Shotover Jet, Shotover Canyon Swing, Skippers Canyon Jet, TSS Earnslaw, NZone Skydive, Elevation Paraglides, Air Milford Flight and Cruise, Remarkables Golf Tour, Limousine Line, Helicopter Line and three nights' accommodation and breakfast at Crowne Plaza Queenstown.