Whether in need for advice or support for your next high-level event, state visit, international conference, trade show, wreath-laying ceremony, official dinner, or sports tournament? As seasoned subject matter experts we offer consultancy and (individual) coaching services on the following topics:
We do cooperate with fellow experts in the fields of protocol, intercultural communication, and stakeholder engagement to offer additional services around the world.
If you are looking for a professional who can temporarily join your organisation as head of protocol, strategic adviser on external relations or international cooperation, reorganisation expert, or as part of your senior leadership in one of the aforementioned areas? We might have the fitting solution for you. Our highly experienced subject matter experts can offer a wide variety of services for your organisation in these times of scarcity. We also cooperate with fellow experts in the fields of protocol, intercultural communication, and stakeholder engagement, in order to be able to offer additional services and solutions around the world.
We prefer to be involved in the early stages of strategy development and event design as these form the fundament for success of any relationship and high-level event. However, our team equally gets its kicks from being involved in the implementation stages, because that is where all the magic happens!
In the past 15 years, Protocol International has serviced large and small corporations, as well as public entities, like local, regional and national public authorities, as well as international treaty-based organisations with the planning, design, and delivery of various services. And as the COVID-19 pandemic perfectly shows around the world: we are all in this together, but a one-size-fits-all solution does not exist. So please do get in touch to gain the global edge!
Participants will learn to define an order of precedence, its usage and importance as a protocol tool, how to determine precedence of individuals, Heads of State, Diplomatic Missions, representatives of the business sector and visitors and how to apply it to seating strategies.
The management of hospitality and effective relationship meetings
Participants will learn how to engage with internal and external stakeholders in order to reach the organisation’s goals and objectives. In that respect, the exact roles in event management are defined for the protocol officer, host and guest.
There is no 'one size fits all' solution to protocol and high-level event management during the pandemic. Quite some best practices from around the globe will be discussed related to international visits, Royal events, world leaders summits, ceremonies, social distancing, face masks, as well as virtual and hybrid meetings.
Participants will learn the differences in International Visits (state visits, official visits, working visits and private visits). Learn to identify key elements to consider when selecting an appropriate gift and understand how culture affects the gift selection. They will learn more about the reciprocity of the exchange of honours as well.
Participants will learn the history of ceremonies and understand the common practices and key elements of ceremonies. They will understand that a ceremony is a celebration for a visitor, community, business or organisation, which marks an event with tradition and commonality creating a memory of a lifetime. They will also learn how to organise a ceremony.
Participants will learn the appropriate way to display all kinds of flags, laws, customs and observances, how to show proper respect during national anthems and determine flag and logo precedence.
Participants will learn what defines a good protocol officer, which role he/she plays in relation to communication and policy officers, how to deal with their boss (who might not always be in love with protocol) and how can he/she make a difference and positive impact with public appearances?
Participants will learn how to shape important deals, negotiate in uncertain environments, improve working relationships and resolve seemingly intractable disputes.
Risk management & unforeseen circumstances. Why do mistakes, disasters or ad hoc changes happen in event management?
Participants will learn how to make an event matter and how to prevent project management disasters?
Participants will learn what role (social) media plays in official events, the importance of media coverage or a press conference and the impact security might have nowadays in realising public events and ceremonies.
Participants will learn how to compose an advance team and to formulate a mission statement for an event or visit. They will learn the importance of a checklist and the preparation of an advance kit. A case study will give them insight in the aspects of an advance visit and how to set up a detailed programme.
Participants will discuss the present day practices of diplomacy and doing business, in which protocol tends to become less rigid than in the past in several parts of the world. Protocol even seems useless in the eyes of some current world leaders; how to deal with this?
Participants will be encouraged to share an interesting case study out of their own experience as well. What went well or what went wrong? What are lessons learned and where is room for improvement?
