High-profile encounters leave no room for guesswork. This course demystifies the formal rules of protocol and the subtle nuances of etiquette, so you can represent your organisation with confidence in any diplomatic, executive or cross-cultural setting. You will learn to plan and manage VIP visits, navigate international customs, handle sensitive scenarios with calm professionalism and avoid the mistakes that damage credibility.
Protocol foundations and professional manners, cross-cultural communication and international customs, VIP visit planning and event management, diplomatic conventions and ceremonial etiquette.
Every session runs in a small, boardroom-format group — typically six to eight senior professionals. Your trainer tailors content to the specific industries, organisations and challenges each participant brings, so you work on real situations, not generic examples. The learning combines evidence-based best practice briefings with structured discussions, practical workshops and peer learning. This is training with a coaching and consulting flavour — focused on building skills and producing outputs you can apply in your work immediately.
- Host VIPs with confidence, ensuring smooth visits from arrival to departure
- Manage last-minute changes or sensitive scenarios with calm professional protocol
- Make a strong impression and avoid offence in high-stakes international situations
- Apply global protocol principles to uphold respect, order and credibility
- Adapt etiquette to diverse cultural norms in business and diplomacy
- Prepare and deliver formal visits, meetings and ceremonial events
- Interact respectfully and effectively across cultures, ranks and national traditions
- Navigate interpersonal dynamics in official encounters with confidence and cultural intelligence
- Definitions and distinctions between protocol, etiquette and hosting
- Principles of formal introductions, greetings and professional correspondence
- Fundamentals of courtesy, respect and professional manners
- Practical exercises to internalise core protocol concepts
- Clarifying expectations and communication standards for VIP interactions
- Recognising cultural differences and adapting behaviour accordingly
- International customs: gift-giving, dining manners and professional decorum
- Cross-cultural communication techniques for clarity and respect
- Practical approaches to cultural research and sensitivity in preparation
- Exercises in navigating intercultural misunderstandings gracefully
- Step-by-step planning guide for VIP engagements and diplomatic visits
- Managing logistics: arrival, welcome and departure of high-status guests
- Techniques for organising bilateral and multilateral meetings effectively
- Handling seating arrangements and orders of precedence accurately
- Simulation exercises in hosting scenarios to build confidence
- Understanding international conventions and formal diplomatic protocols
- Forms of address, titles and appropriate verbal and written etiquette
- Handling symbolic elements: national flags, anthems and official ceremonies
- Managing invitations, RSVPs, seating plans and event execution details
- Practical role-play for advanced ceremonial situations and official interactions
This course is for professionals managing high-stakes interactions involving senior figures — including communications and PR professionals, protocol officers, executive assistants and anyone responsible for VIP visits, diplomatic events or international business encounters.
- Dubai20–21 October 2026· $2,400 plus VATBook
- Live Online21–22 October 2026· $950Book
- Dubai11–12 November 2026· $2,400 plus VATBook
- Live Online18–19 November 2026· $950Book
- Live Online16–17 December 2026· $950Book
The following are some of the ISOC trainers who regularly lead this course, depending whether you join us in London, Dubai or live online.
Yes. We deliver this course for teams of any size, tailored to your organisation’s context and objectives. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
No. The course covers universal protocol principles and cross-cultural etiquette that apply across diplomatic, business and international settings. Your trainer adapts examples and scenarios to the cultural contexts most relevant to participants in the room.
Yes. You will practise formal introductions, seating arrangements, VIP visit planning and other protocol scenarios through structured exercises, building confidence through hands-on application.
Nothing specific is required. If you have a current project, challenge or organisational context relevant to the course, bring it along — the practical exercises can incorporate real-world scenarios.