The Protocol School of Washington(R) Launches 3rd Annual 'National Protocol Officers Week' March 30 - April 5, 2009
NEW YORK, March 27, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Protocol: President Obama uses it. So do those who work in the Army, Navy, at the White House, Microsoft, Motorola, Forbes, Duke University, Dell, and Boeing. Because international protocol and business etiquette skills are no longer optional but crucial to succeed in today's global economy, The Protocol School of Washington(R: 29.21, n.a., n.a.%) www.psow.com is sponsoring the 3rd Annual "National Protocol Officers Week." From March 30 - April 5, 2009 the spotlight is on protocol officers, event and meeting planners and communications experts in the government, military, corporate America and academia - all those who host events (V.I.P. to casual) and work with dignitaries here and abroad (from community organizers to heads of state). "The New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman's best-selling book The World is Flat stresses the need to operate from a global perspective and 'create value through leadership,'" says Pamela Eyring, Owner & Director of PSOW(R: 29.21, n.a., n.a.%), global leader in international protocol and business etiquette training. Eyring says she is sponsoring the week because protocol officers have always been America's front-line, goodwill ambassadors but their role today is more crucial than ever.
Protocol, practiced by governments and the citizenry for centuries, is more than rules and regulations. "Protocol is diplomacy," said President George W. Bush's former chief of protocol Nancy Brinker in a recent FOXNews story. According to American historian Barry Landau, who served in the White House protocol office for nine presidencies, "Protocol is supposed to make people feel comfortable."
"No small feat," notes Eyring, who has seen increased interest in her school during the recession due to media attention on the need for Americans to join with other nations to combat the global downturn. "Presidents have protocol experts at their disposal 24/7 but the rest of us need guidance from appropriately seating guests at events to knowing if you bow, kiss or shake hands when greeting foreign dignitaries."
Boost Your Protocol IQ - Did You Know?
The guest of honor is seated to the right of the host at meals and events.
Not all cultures use eating utensils - Middle Easterners eat with their right hand.
The position of honor in a car is the seat behind the front passenger seat.
The current Governor of a State takes precedence over a former president of the United States.
In a business setting the biggest cell call complaint (say 72% of users) is speaking too loud.
Former heads of state (e.g., Ronald Reagan) can have up to 3 funerals: public, private, government.
