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training
November 3, 2025
-
November 5, 2025
|
The College Hotel
€
$
2450
exc. 21% VAT
Price may vary due to conversion rates

Protocol training in Amsterdam, 2025

The aim of this training course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of international protocol, management of VVIP visits, diplomacy, negotiation, intercultural dialogue, strategic stakeholder engagement, and guidance in the field of international relations, while each module links theory to contemporary best practices. The participants will be given the tools to excel, develop and maintain business, project a positive image, project confidence and authority while building teamwork across borders, institutions, and departments. Solutions will be provided to overcome difficulties and issues in order to avoid problems and mistakes from happening.
Master trainers:
Mark Verheul
Partner | Protocol International
Maryse Larché Mele
Partner | Protocol International
Guest lecturers:
Guest panelists:
Karel van Oosterom
Career diplomat of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Conny Wenting
Trustee of the Board of the Invictus Games Foundation in London, and previously CEO of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020
Receive 15% discount until
December 31, 2023
Interested in joining this training? Click below to reserve your seat
training overview

Develop a thorough grasp of global diplomatic, military and corporate protocol

Complete progamme
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, regular international visitors, and how to apply it to seating strategies and positioning of flags. Several practical exercises are part of the programme.
  • how to engage with internal and external stakeholders in order to reach the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives. In that respect, the exact roles in event management are defined for the protocol officer, host and guest.
  • how to shape, deal, negotiate in uncertain environments, improve working relationships and resolve seemingly intractable disputes.
  • about the impact (social) media and security have in realizing public events and ceremonies. Co-operation with security and press will be discussed and numerous personal examples will be shared.
  • beyond „What?” and ask „How?” and „Why?”. Participants will be prompted to think how their perspective may be different from other people, keeping cultural differences, and a variety of sectors and organisations into consideration.
book included

An Experts' Guide To International Protocol

Written by Gilbert Monod de Froideville and Mark Verheul and was published by Amsterdam University Press in April 2016, including a (post-) pandemic chapter in the 4th edition of April 2021.
Although modern life grows increasingly casual, in many sectors, protocol still reigns supreme. The book offers an overview of its associated practices and focuses on a wide range of countries and cultures. The book covers topics like seating arrangements, the use of flags, ceremonies, invitations and dress codes, gifts and decorations and the roles of the protocol officer, guest and host. Throughout, influential diplomatic, business, and cultural figures share their own experiences with protocols around the world, also throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
book included

Precedence with a Purpose

Written by Maryse Larché Mele and her co-author Margaret Kevin Krall, this ground-breaking book aims to be the source on how to address international precedence.
While precedence as a criterion plays a key role in all aspects of protocol, universal rules governing precedence do not exist. Several different methods exist instead as guidelines. Moreover, we can learn to alter these methods to adapt to cultural differences, circumstances, and the natural evolution of society as the judgment on specific topics shifts. The authors explore these issues that affect precedence; and discuss what precedence effects – who goes where, seating, entering, and exiting venues and events, order of speeches, introductions, food service, toasting, photo opportunities, flag arrangements, etc. There is no other book addressing international precedence in this way, and it is a crucial criterion of protocol.

Training programme

01
programme | day one
09:00 - 17:30

Introduction to precedence, communication and risk management

On the first day we will cover the following topics. Click the headers to read more.

Introduction to protocol

  • Protocol versus etiquette versus cultural differences
  • Protocol and etiquette and its history
  • The role of protocol in private, public, military, and sports environments

Order of precedence and the applications of protocol

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.

  • Introduction and history
  • What is an order of precedence? How is the order of precedence set at an international organisation or corporation?
  • Comparison of countries around the world
  • Applications of protocol
  • Seating arrangements: lunch/dinner or at ceremonies
  • Greeting procedures, processions, receptions and cortèges

Intercultural communication

  • When Cultures Collide: Leading across cultures (Lewis)
  • The Culture Map: decoding how people think, lead, and get things done across cultures (Meyer)
  • Perceptions and misperceptions
  • How to deal with cultural differences: do’s and don’ts of hosting international visitors from around the world

Risk management related to events

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?

  • Inadequate information 
  • Unclear/wrong goals and requirements 
  • Failures of communication and management
  • Inadequate resources 
  • Unproven technology 
  • External events

Flags, anthems and logos

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.

  • Flag codes
  • Rules for using flags
  • Flag protocol and flag order
  • Application of flag protocol
  • Use of national anthems
  • Use of logos
02
programme | day two
09:00 - 17:30

Networking, hospitality and image

On the second day we will cover the following topics. Click the headers to read more.

Strategic networking

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.

  • Set-up of a network meeting
  • Composing a guest list
  • Invitations, forms of address and dress codes
  • Briefing/training of the hosts
  • The role of the protocol officer, guest and host
  • Levels of guest engagement
  • Evaluation & follow-up

Social behaviour (at work)

  • Social rules amongst colleagues
  • Social rules when receiving guests at the office
  • Practices when attending a meeting
  • Telephone etiquette
  • Communication by mail or by letter?
  • How to compose a letter or invitation?
  • How to write an email? – Netiquette
  • Dining etiquette as practiced around the world

Diplomatic hospitality in international relations

  • A training about the lost art of diplomacy.
  • The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: origins and meanings of diplomatic protocol.
  • 10 things every diplomat needs; back then and now.
  • How to make friends as a diplomat?
  • Know how to entertain and host a successful diplomatic party.

The role of (social) media and security related to protocol management

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. 

Advance strategies

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.

03
programme | day two
09:00 - 17:30

Negotiations, visits and military lessons

On the third day we will cover the following topics. Click the headers to read more.

Types of visits and their components, including gift giving and exchange of honours

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.

Ceremonies, traditions and rituals

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. 

  1. Meaning of a ceremony
  2. Organising a ceremony
  3. Components of a ceremony
  4. State ceremonies
  5. Laying of wreaths
  6. Presentation of credentials
  7. State funerals
  8. Inauguration /swearing-in and coronation
  9. Gun salutes
  10. Guard of honour
  11. Escorts of honour
  12. Silent procession

Negotiation and conflict resolution

Participants will learn how to shape important deals, negotiate in uncertain environments, improve working relationships and resolve seemingly intractable disputes.

  • Understanding key negotiation concepts
  • Managing interpersonal dynamics
  • Addressing negotiation complexities
  • Interactive negotiation assignment and discussion

The characteristics of a good protocol officer

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?

Sharing of several case studies and best practices about the image and reputation of protocol in modern days

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?

04
programme | day two
09:00 - 17:30

Guests & panelists

Karel van Oosterom

At the end of his diplomatic career, Karel van Oosterom will reflect on his extensive experience with international relations, high-level events, sensitive negotiations, as well as ceremonial pump and circumstance. Most recently, he served as Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and right before that as Dutch Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. Karel will share all kinds of personal experiences and anecdotes at various geopolitical stages. Every participant will receive a copy of the book he wrote on the time in which the Netherlands had a seat in the Security Council (With an Orange Tie - A year on the Security Council).‍

Conny Wenting

Conny Wenting is an exceptional all-round business leader with an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, marked by her unwavering commitment to driving change and transformation. Conny has left an indelible mark on the global stage through her instrumental role in bringing the Invictus Games—an international sporting event for physically and mentally wounded veterans—to the Netherlands in 2022. As a trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation Board in the UK, she continues to champion the transformative power of sports in fostering social impact and empowerment, around the world. Get inspired by all her insights!

Training fees include

Expert books

a copy of the book An Experts’ Guide to International Protocol and a copy of the book Precedence with a Purpose

Digital materials

All programme materials are provided in PDF format for further study and personal development

Certificate

An official Protocol International certificate is provided after successful  training completion

Refreshments

Lunch, as well as coffee, tea and refreshments are provided throughout the training programme
Receive 15% discount until
December 31, 2023

Interested in joining this training? Click below to reserve your seat

Contact
info@protocol-int.com
+31 6 525 82 383
Address
Kalvermarkt 12-V
2511 CB The Hague
The Netherlands
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