18/04/2026
Les Clefs d’Or Award 2026 honoring Adolf Schneider goes to Unwana van der Werk from Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium Amsterdam and representing Les Clefs d’Or The Netherlands.
Congratulations Unwana and all of this year’s exceptional candidates!
The award was presented during the Gala of the UICH International Congress in Sydney, Australia on the 16th of April 2026 where 500 members from around the world attended.
The Les Clefs d’Or Award was first established at the 55th Les Clefs d’Or International Congress in Denmark, 2008, as the “Andy Pongco Award” to honour the memory Andy Pongco. The award aims to recognize and encourage young members to become active participants in the worldwide society. The prize for the recipient of the award is an invitation to the next Les Clefs d’Or International Congress (registration and airfare included). All countries were encouraged to nominate one of their promising young members and this year we received 19 nominations.
All candidates engaged in a friendly competition where they complete tasks such as written essays and history presentation, professional video, travel blog, and live interview onsite with members of the Award Committee. The candidates’ personal presentation will play a major part in the final outcome of this friendly contest.
This year’s award was sponsored by 1 Hotels.
