The story begins decades ago, with a handful of pioneers — and Katharine Giovanni was one of them.

If you looked around the United States back then, you might have found two dozen concierge services, but certainly no more than that. Sensing a need, Katharine propelled her meeting planning business into something more cutting edge: a company that could offer concierge services and products to an eclectic range of industries that had yet to discover the world of the concierge.

Katharine has gone from being a meeting planner and concierge for Fortune 500 executives to becoming one of the world’s leading international concierge training experts. As Triangle Concierge’s senior trainer and speaker, Katharine has taught workshops to groups, individuals, hospitals, small businesses and large corporations. She is also the Chairman of the Board of the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (formerly ICEA), one of the first associations for the concierge industry.

A highly sought-after expert on the concierge industry, Katharine has both been interviewed by and appeared on dozens of newspapers, magazines, radio and television shows from around the country including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Money Magazine, Forbes, Women’s World Magazine, Condé Nast, Delta Airlines Sky Radio, WOR Radio, CBS News and ABC News and ABC News Nightline.

A dynamic public speaker and a member of the National Speakers Association, Katharine has appeared at seminars and conferences around the world. She is the author of three books including The Concierge Manual.

Her latest book, Going Above and Beyond, is an Award-Winning Finalist in the National Best Books 2010 Awards.

Raised in New York City, Katharine earned a B.A. from Lake Forest College and currently lives in North Carolina with her husband Ron and two sons.

Click here to see her speaking topics