Pioneer Concierge Celebrates 25 Years
Pioneer concierge celebrates 25 years October 17, 2007 By SANDY THORN CLARK Back in the ‘70s when Olga Pierce was fulfilling the ego-driven requests of celebrities including Pavarotti, Sophia Loren, Rex Harrison, Paul Newman, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Patrick Swayze, she didn’t envision turning her skills as a concierge at the now-defunct Whitehall Hotel & Club into a successful business. Now, the founder of Concierge Unlimited International, with offices in the Opera House in the West Loop, is celebrating her 25th year as president of the 50-employee firm that provides independent concierge services in the private, corporate and residential sectors. Fostering unique relationships and performing good deeds are key elements to CUI’s success, says Pierce, enjoying a breakfast of poached eggs and an English muffin in Zest, the second-floor restaurant in the Mag Mile’s Intercontinental Hotel. A pioneer in the concierge industry, Pierce launched her concept - the first in the world - following the 1982 closing of the exclusive, members-only Whitehall. At the insistence of her faithful clients, she continued her role as problem-solver extraordinaire with a private client base that included executives from USG, Storck USA, Standard Oil (now BP America), Donahue & Associates, Frain, Camins & Schwartzchild, John Phipps & Associates, and Smith Barney. Olga Pierce Corporate real estate accounts with Fifield Companies and Bennett & Kahnweiler followed. By 1989, Pierce placed the world’s first corporate concierge at the Time-Life Building, with Time, Life, People and American Hydrotech among the clients. CUI’s corporate client roster has grown to include AT&T, Baker & McKenzie, Boeing, Citicorp, Citadel, Clifford Law Offices, Energy BBDO, General Electric, JF McKinney & Associates, J.P.
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