Wellington concierge wins top award

Jason Eade. Photo / Supplied

A Wellington concierge who once had dreams of making it to the Olympic games has just 'won gold' for services to his job.

Jason Eade, was named joint top concierge in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in the annual Hotel Management Awards, which were held in Sydney on Friday night.

Mr Eade, who is head concierge at InterContinental Wellington, shared the honour with Mark Peyton from Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

Originally from Timaru, Mr Eade has always been an avid sportsman.

He told NZME News Service he used to train as a professional boxer and his goal was once to make it to the Olympics.

Sadly, Mr Eade Olympic dreams were cut short when he had a motorcycle accident in 1990 and lost his left leg.

"Life goes on, I'm here to tell the story that's the main thing."

Mr Eade now plays golf, and last year competed in the World Disabled Amputee Championship.

"I have found sport again... I'm too competitive for my own good."

He said his "competitive nature" spreads into his work and he has now been a concierge for 13 years at the InterContinental Wellington.

This was the second time he had been honoured with the top concierge nod at the award's ceremony.

Speaking after last Friday's ceremony, Mr Eade said he was humbled and delighted by the external acknowledgement of a job he was passionate about being done well.

He said his job was about engaging and communicating with people.

"It's all about engaging and embracing and learning about our guests so that each time they come back they recognise you and you can go up to them and carry on a conversation about where they've been and what they're doing."

His successful career has also allowed him some amazing opportunities.

Mr Eade was able to recognise part of his Olympic dream, after he was selected as one of the few New Zealanders to carry the Olympic torch on its national journey through the United Kingdom as part of the InterContinental Hotel Group Olympic partnership.

He said he carried the torch through a small town in Manchester called Preston.

"It's probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life, it was just an amazing 2000m walk. It was just adrenaline, the streets were lined with people and they were all cheering and supporting... it was one of the most amazing things I have had the opportunity to do."