What does the Event Manager need to know about the VIP protocol?
This time our task was to create and produce the concept for a VIP event on the occasion of the opening of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and when you know that guests are senior domestic and foreign state officials, representatives of academic, public and political life, it implies following the certain protocols.
In our case, we had to follow protocols for organizing bilateral events, which, in addition to all the usual elements of event organization, includes segments such as flags, the intonation of hymns, and coordination with the bureau's protocol offices.
The protocol is a set of rules and customs for official interaction that everyone directly involved in the organization should adhere to. Therefore, following certain rules and protocols (especially if your guests are from another country, where expectations and codes of conduct may differ) is an easy way to provide your VIP guests with the treatment they deserve.
The protocols contain standards and rules regarding who welcomes VIP guests, how to escort them and follow the protocol during the event, who addresses attendees and the like. If VIP guests come from another city or country, their protocol begins long before the event. We should not forget that VIP guests usually increase the visibility and public interest of the event, so it is necessary to take into account the safety of all participants.
In the end, the most important thing is that the guests bring unforgettable memories from the event, and we perpetuated one moment with a photo in Sarajevo City Hall!