What do secret celebrity affairs and spontaneous table reservations in fully booked Michelin-starred restaurants have in common?Both are part of everyday life for Marc Schiffer, Head Concierge at the Ritz Carlton, Berlin. In a conversation with him, the VBKI Young Professionals were given an exclusive look behind the scenes of the luxury hotel industry and an evening full of exciting anecdotes.

"A concierge knows everything," reported Marc Schiffer, who has been working as a concierge for over 24 years. Thanks to his work, he is probably better connected than any event agency and knows all the secret corners of the city. Hardly any guest request is foreign to him: "As long as it's not illegal, we make everything possible." In a good mood, he talked about the craziest guest requests and the most unusual experiences in the life of a concierge. Tables in fully booked restaurants, tickets for concerts or opulent bouquets of flowers and special requests for room decorations for a wedding proposal do not faze him.  

What particularly stuck with me through all the stories was his palpable passion for making people happy. "A simple gesture at the right moment." With this attitude, he and his team succeed in delighting guests anew every day. All employees have a daily budget to organize the small attentions. Special requests cost extra.

Whether it's the personal touch in the greeting or the intuitive recognition of what a guest needs before he says it himself. His stories were both funny, curious and heart-warming and provided plenty of laughs and food for thought. All the juniors were able to transfer the practical tips for greater appreciation and customer satisfaction to their own professional fields. Above all, however, it was the infectious enthusiasm with which Marc Schiffer lives his profession.  

To round off the event, the young professionals met in the stylish Curtain Club of the Ritz Carlton. Over drinks, exciting conversations and many new encounters, they reflected on the concierge's stories and networked.

A big thank you goes to Pia Kampe, Director Human Resources at the Ritz Carlton, for the great organization and warm hospitality.