Welcome to the State Department for the first ever Global Chiefs of
Protocol Conference. I am a firm believer in the work you do – and the
essential role it plays in our diplomatic efforts. So I am thrilled
that you have gathered here today to share lessons learned and discuss
the future of Protocol.
For me, you and your teams are some of the unsung heroes of diplomacy.
You shape our bilateral and multilateral meetings and encourage greater
understanding and more productive negotiations.
But your work extends beyond the meetings and events you run so
efficiently. By engaging with different people and traditions, you
oversee a fundamental part of diplomatic and cultural exchange – you are
building new bridges of understanding between nations. And that’s what
diplomacy is all about.
You are critical to what we do, and I am grateful for your efforts.
So, I hope that you will use the next few days to exchange ideas and
knowledge, discuss best practices, evaluate and enhance your craft, and
develop a blueprint for the future. And I look forward to seeing you on
my travels soon.
