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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 how to shape important deals, negotiate in uncertain environments, improve working relationships and resolve seemingly intractable disputes.
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 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?
Andreja has been involved in senior positions at seven Olympic and Paralympic Games, and will give us extensive insights in the “Management of International Dignitaries and VIPs at Olympic and Paralympic Games”. She will present in-depth the International Dignitary Programmes, the role of protocol, its services, procedures, and coordination with diplomatic missions and government authorities.
Giovanni has been involved in the protocol departments of several World Fairs, including EXPO 2015 Milano, EXPO 2017 Astana, and EXPO 2020 Dubai. He will provide us with great insights into the “Protocol Guest Journey at EXPO – A day in the life of a Protocol Officer during National Days”.
Together with Mark and Maryse, Andreja and Giovanni will also take part in a roundtable session about a joint project they worked on: “World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, 28–29 April 2024, Riyadh”. The secret power of protocol and its impact on such a global meeting will be discussed, including six key lessons learned.