One misplaced flag, one wrong seating order, one overlooked guest of honour — and years of diplomatic goodwill can take a hit before a conference even opens. This Training Course in International Conference Protocol and Diplomatic Formalities, delivered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, is built for the professionals who carry that responsibility: managing international media presence and mastering the finer points of public relations at the highest level.

Protocol and etiquette are codes of behaviour that define what a society, social class or group expects in a given situation, and applying them properly is a genuine mark of respect. The course draws on multiple cultures, customs and policies, and follows the modern international protocols the Academy applies across international relations training. The starting principle for anyone in a Protocol or PR role is simple: treat the important figure in front of you first and foremost as a human being — no exaggerated formality, no oversimplification, no disregard. Well-run public relations strengthen institutional relationships, open up public dialogue, and — through crisis management and reputation protection — help organisations adapt toward new, more sustainable ways of working.

Who Should Attend

• Professionals responsible for formalities and protocol procedures at international conferences and events.
• PR sector employees and diplomatic sector officials.
• Directors of companies and enterprises, and business owners developing their media management skills.
• Staff who deal directly with VIPs and need those interactions handled professionally.
• Media professionals, broadcasters, and administrative staff in the PR sector.
• Protocol officers organising conferences, and media graduates or trainees with experience in communications or PR.

What You Will Learn

• How to manage the ceremonial formalities of a conference's opening session — from seating and the number of delegates to selecting the guest of honour, the dean of seniority, the conference chair, and flag placement.
• The general principles of international formalities, and a unified, comprehensive grasp of etiquette and international protocol.
• The art of protocol and body-language etiquette in official forums, and the concepts that determine precedence between individuals.
• How to direct personal dynamics at important meetings, build a strong impression, and avoid embarrassing missteps in high-stakes situations.

Module 1: Protocol and Etiquette Foundations

• Core principles of protocol and etiquette, and unified international concepts around them.
• Universal principles of protocol, etiquette and professional codes of conduct.

Module 2: Running the Formalities of a Conference

• Ceremonial formalities of the opening session, and general principles of international formalities.
• Handling delegate numbers, choosing the guest of honour, the dean of seniority, the conference chair, and flag placement.

Module 3: Body Language, Precedence and Professional Conduct

• The art of protocol and body-language etiquette in official forums.
• Concepts that determine precedence between individuals, and appropriate professional and personal conduct.

Module 4: Managing People and Moments That Matter

• Directing and managing personal dynamics at important meetings.
• Creating a strong impression while avoiding embarrassing practices in sensitive situations.
• Preparing for and hosting VIP visits and official events.

Module 5: Working Across Cultures

• International and local differences in culture and how people perceive protocol.
• International principles of etiquette and communication.

Course Dates and Locations:

The courses are held across multiple countries, including England, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Sweden, as well as Jordan, Egypt, Malaysia, Australia and the United States of America.

Training Delivery Methods:

• Training at an international institution specialised in international relations.
• Theoretical training in classrooms.
• Group training.
• Individual training.

What Participants Receive:

At the end of the course, every trainee receives a certificate accredited by the Academy. We encourage you to review the full course specifications and reach out to our team if you would like to run this course for your organisation.