WORLD PROTOCOL MATTERS CONFERENCE 2025

In 2021, motivated by current world events, the founders of International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy (ICPD), World Protocol School and World Protocol Magazine, and Myers & Associates, LLC joined forces to launch this first of its kind, global pro bono event in response to a growing desire to raise awareness, give voice and visibility and to connect protocol and diplomacy professionals.

Our goal: to achieve a global collaboration and unified cooperation across the field for gaining UN recognition for establishing 11 May as “World Protocol Day”.

Our mission: to create a collective, intellectual global platform—open to all protocol and diplomacy practitioners in a way that highlights the strategic value of the field.

Our vision: to amass an extensive network of like-minded protocol and diplomacy stakeholders with shared interests, to serve as Protocol Powerhouse & Soft Power Hub for organisations, corporate and civil entities around the world.

Our motivation: to instil an intercultural civility mind-set and to reiterate the value of protocol as part of an organisation’s cultural framework and method for achieving goals, objectives.

WPM 2025 Online Conference – A GLOBAL SUCCESS!

This year, the conference was organised in two, six-hour sessions each day to accommodate the international audience. We hosted over 100 attendees from 36 countries, and over 20 distinguished speakers took part in the online education forum that brings together academics, skilled professionals, thought-leaders and diplomats to exchange views, present research findings, share best-practices, and provide applicable solutions, challenges and issues Protocol and Diplomacy professionals face today and into the future.

Greener Mega-Events; AI in Protocol; Global Soft Power Index; Environment-friendly Protocol Considerations in Managing IR; Affordable, Sustainable, Quality Protocol Education; Women in Protocol and Diplomacy; Smart Power; Protocol to Enhance Respectful Intercultural Working Environments; Digital Protocol and Diplomacy; Gastrodiplomacy in Nation-branding; Sport as a Soft Power Tool and many more.

AGENDA SESSION ONE , Friday, 9 May 2025

12:00pm-12:15pm Opening ceremonies, Organizers Overview: Dr. Nikoletta Hosso, LaDonna L. Myers, Hon. Patricia Kenneth-Divine

Videos

12:15pm-12:35pm Keynote Address: Dr. Heinz FISCHER

Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, 11th President of the Republic of Austria (2004-2016)

12:35pm-1:00pm: Dr. Farhat ASIF Ph.D.

TOPIC: Women-Led Diplomacy and Protocol: A Soft Power Model for Achieving the SDGs

1:00pm-1:25pm: Catherine M. WILSON

TOPIC: Protocol Meets Sustainability: Commitment to the SDGs through Event Design

Mr.1:25pm-1:50pm: Miguel MACEDO

TOPIC: Protocol at Paris 2024 Olympic Games

1:50pm-2:15pm: LaDonna L. MYERS

TOPIC: AI in Protocol Practice, WPM as Sustainable Organisation

2:15pm-2:40pm: Amy K. MITCHELL

TOPIC: At the Intersection of Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

2:40pm-2:50pm Thibault CHAVANIS

Ode to Protocol

2:50-3.00pm CLOSING REMARKS: Dr. Nikoletta Hosso Ph.D.

SESSION TWO , Friday, 9 May 2025

3:30pm -3:40pm,

Opening Ceremony, Conference Overview, Programme Insights by Hon. Patricia Kenneth-Divine, Dr. Nikoletta Hosso, and LaDonna L. Myers

3:40pm-4:05pm: Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) COLTON

TOPIC: Protocol – Diplomacy’s Foundational Soft Power Tool

4:05pm-4:30pm: Petra SCHMITT

TOPIC: Sustainability Event Solutions and Best Practices at Athletics World Championships, 2023

4:30pm-4:55pm: Prof. Leonardo MONTAñO SALAS

TOPIC: Gastronomic Diplomacy and Gastrodiplomacy: The International Projection of Cultural Identity

4:55pm-5:20pm: Paul CHUKWUDI OKORIE

TOPIC: Soft Power & Global Perception: How Protocol Can Rebrand Africa’s Global Image

5:20pm-5:55pm: Deanna TRYON

TOPIC: Exploring the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol’s Role as a Strategic Bridge Between Global Governments, Corporate Leaders, and Local Communities

5:55pm-6:00pm: Thibault CHAVANIS

Ode to Protocol

6:00pm- CLOSING REMARKS: Dr. Nikoletta Hosso Ph.D.

SESSION ONE, Saturday, 10 May 2025

12:00pm-12:15pm Opening ceremonies, Organizers Overview: Dr. Nikoletta Hosso, LaDonna L. Myers, Hon. Patricia Kenneth-Divine,

Videos

12:15pm-12:40pm: Hon. Patricia KENNETH-DIVINE

TOPIC: Global Protocol and Diplomatic Network (GPDN)- Embracing the Future, Redefining the Role of Protocol in Global Diplomacy

12:40pm-1:05pm: Julius NYANANYO

TOPIC: Sustainable Learning and Development Through Professionalism – The Protocol Experience

1:05pm-1:30pm: Phillipa Dianne Lawrence

TOPIC: Diplomatic Protocol in Advancing the Implementation of the SGDs – The Role of Multilateralism and Foreign Policy

1:30pm-1:55pm: Minabai SEIBOFA, FIMC, CMC.

TOPIC: Digital Protocol as a Soft Power Tool: Building Global Influence in the Digital Age.

1:55pm-2:20pm: Kruti SHAH

TOPIC: Executive Presence in Global Diplomacy and SDG Leadership

2:20pm-2:45pm: Brenda NAVARRO CASTELLET

TOPIC: Strategic Influence: Protocol for Lasting Impact

2:45pm-2:50pm: Thibault CHAVANIS

Ode to Protocol

2:50-3.00pm CLOSING REMARKS: LaDonna L. Myers

SESSION TWO, Saturday, 10 May 2025

3:30pm-3:40pm OPENING CEREMONIES, Conference Overview by Patricia Kenneth-Divine, Dr. Nikoletta Hosso, and LaDonna L. Myers

3:40pm-4:05pm: Patrick JEPHSON

TOPIC: Protocol from the heart: lessons from eight years with Princess Diana

4:05pm-4:30pm: Dr. Mohamed ABDALLAH
TOPIC: Cultural Intelligence: A Catalyst for Advancing Women’s Leadership in Protocol and Diplomacy

4:30pm-4:55pm: Dr. Nikoletta HOSSó Ph.D.
TOPIC: Global Soft Power Index, Protocol as a Soft Power Tool

4:55pm-5:20pm Apollo John

TOPIC: Youth and Protocol – Preparing the Next Generation for Global Leadership

5:20pm-5:30pm OSAKA EXPO – the Hungarian Pavilion

5:30pm-5:35pm:Thibault CHAVANIS

Ode to Protocol

5:25pm-5:40pm CLOSING REMARKS: THE ORGANISERS / WPM 2025 WRAP UP