2013 Hotel Excellence Award for Community Service Nominees

The Hotel Excellence Award for Community Service will honor an esteemed member of the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (NYCAHC) for outstanding donations of time, talent, charitable and/or philanthropic contributions to benefit the people of the City of New York. This award will acknowledge the diligence and dedication of the Concierge who has shown a continuing commitment to his or her community and the New York City public, in general. Further, the award applauds the public service efforts and achievements of all New York City hotel Concierge professionals.

Denise Bethune-Mignott The Phillips Club

Years of Service: 14 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC I have been a Concierge for 14 years and have been affiliated with NYCAHC for the past five years. During this tenure, I have had the privilege to actively participate in various charities and volunteer opportunities, which not only gives me great pleasure but I am often more touched and delighted by the pleasure and warmth it brings to others. I have been an avid supporter and participant of the Aids Walk since 1991, as well as participated previously in Aids dance-a-thons. I assisted Concierge James Lamboglia for the 2011-2012 Aids Walk fundraiser. Volunteering to serve the hungry at soup kitchens has been a heartwarming experience. My other volunteer experience has included Mayor Bloombergs MillionTreesNYC to beautify the city; hotel-to-hotel walk; and setting up and greeting vendors for the past four years at the annual trade show. My greatest passion is knitting and crocheting, and it is an honor to be able to utilize my gift and talent to create blankets, hats and scarves for the women and children in the shelter. I look forward to continue working with NYCAHC in giving back to the community.

Maurice Dancer The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York

Years of Service: 26 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC (Board of Directors- Secretary, VP and President 1996-1998), Les Clefs dOr USA (Board of Directors Concierge Relations, Education & PR, and President 2007 2009), UICH, Les Clefs dOr (Zone Director of the Americas 2009-2013) Coming from a small community in the south and learning at an early age the golden rule: do unto others as you wish to have done unto you from the wisdom of my grandmother, the spirit of giving back for the benefit of the community has been instilled as one of my lifes core values. Twenty years ago when I arrived into this world-class city, the genuine welcome and hospitality from the Concierge colleagues throughout the community was evident from my first visits to neighboring Concierge desks when seeking information, to my first local association meeting held at the Htel Plaza Athne. Alongside my team at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York, I often reminisce at those gracious acts of generosity that were extended to me, which today I reciprocate with enthusiasm and inspiration to serve as a Concierge professional, a role model and a mentor. The essence of this vibrant and dynamic profession is IN SERVICE! I am very committed to donating my time and efforts to this industry. My involvement from 1994 to present has included: AIDS Walk New York; Habitat for Humanity; Caf Society Fundraiser; Rock, Pop and Roll Fundraiser; Gem of a GM; 2004 Republican National Convention Media Center; Clinton Global Initiative Media Center; NYC & Co. Olympic Bid 2012; LCD USA National Congress NYC 2007; Dream Come True Foundation; New Era Pinstripe Bowl; MVP|NY Meet the Concierge Your Keys to the City; New York Cares Coat Drive; NOAH NY Medical Missions to Haiti; and NYCAHC - An Evening with Mentors Educational Forum.

Michael Romei The Waldorf Towers

Years of Service: 25 | Organizational Affiliations: The South Florida Concierge Association (Past President and Honorary Member),
NYCAHC, Les Clefs dOr USA (former Vice President Concierge Relations), UICH, Les Clefs dOr.

When asked what does community service mean to me, I often think of the recent quote from the American writer and founder of the Center for Leadership, Mr. Max De Pree, who said, The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say Thank You and in between the leader is a Servant. As an Advocate for our Concierge profession, I have traveled the world offering my training and expertise from Mumbai to The Maldives, from Boston to Bangkok. I have been teaching the craft of our Concierge profession around the world for years, and I find this most rewardingespecially for our new and upcoming professional Concierge, as they are truly the future. I am also quite passionate about sharing information and upholding our professional standards via social media, which is also another form of teaching and training. I currently serve as Chef Concierge at The Waldorf Astoria, The Waldorf Towers, a position I have held for almost 20 years. My career has also included a five-year stint as Chef Concierge at The Boca Raton Resort & Club. I am a personal blogger and world traveler who received a BA from Manhattanville College and an MA in International Studies from New York University. I have extensive involvement with UICH, Les Clefs dOr: I am publisher of the UICH REVUE, the magazine for Les Clefs dOr International; social media creator and coordinator for the UICH, Les Clefs dOr blog and Facebook page; have been on the UICH, Les Clefs dOr International Executive Committee since 2006 and am currently serving a third term as International General Secretary. I am also a frequent guest speaker and lecturer and creator of the Service Magic Seminar, the art of making a difference in customer service. I was a visiting teacher at the International Concierge Institute Quebec, Canada from 1994-2005 and have been a faculty member of the New York University Continuing Education Hospitality Program since 1992.