Thought Leaders, Graduates and Educators From Around the World Celebrate

WASHINGTON - Sept. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- It was a meeting of the minds as global thought leaders, graduates, and experts in the field of business etiquette and international protocol celebrated 25 years of education at The Protocol School of Washington's (PSOW) Global Education Summit (GES) held at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, Arlington, VA (7/31-8/3/2014). From the opening night reception ("Power of the Past"), to the Awards Gala Dinner, to the closing presentation ("Power of the Future"), to the breakout educational sessions in-between; people spoke, listened, learned, and celebrated PSOW's role as the world's premiere educator in business etiquette, image, and international protocol.

PSOW Owner and President, Ms. Pamela Eyring, kicked off the Summit Gala: “As we enjoy the fellowship of colleagues, share a wonderful meal together, and honor the accomplishments of key thought leaders from around the world, together, we will continue our "learning journey," not just tonight but well into the 21st Century."

Among the Summit's key speakers was Ambassador Peter Selfridge, Chief of Protocol for the United States, who said during his "Force of the Future" address: "Protocol is about building and maintaining relationships. When you strip away all the formality, people are people." Four-Star General, Lester Lyles, USAF, Retired, in his address to attendees, summed up leadership by saying: "If a leader is good to the people around them but not good to the service staff, they are not a good leader."

Awards and Acknowledgments - Among those acknowledged for their work and service were:

Ms. Noura Al Kaabi (CEO of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi (twofour54) a government inititative that develops sustainable media and creative industries for the UAE and the region). Ms. Al Kaabi received PSOW's first Honorary Graduate designation "in recoginition of successfully cultivating international relationships through dignity, honor, and respect." Ms. Al Kaabi is the first Emirati to be ranked on Foreign Policy Magazine's 'Top 100 Global Thinkers List' (2013), was named Forbes Middle East's 30 Most Influential Women in Government (2013) and CEO Middle East's 100 most powerful Arab Women (2012).

Ms. Diane Brown (PSOW Sr. Master Trainer and protocol pioneer) was recognized for her achievements including managing high-profile events with the White House, US State Department, and the Pentagon. These included the memorial service honoring the 9/11 Pentagon victims and the State Funerals of former Presidents Reagan and Ford. Ms. Brown received PSOW's International Protocol Leadership Excellence Award, the 2nd person to receive the prestigious award.

Mr. Robert Hickey (PSOW Deputy Director and author of "The Protocol of School of Washington’s Official Guide to Names, Titles & Forms of Address”) was acknowledged for supporting PSOW founder Ms. Dorothea Johnson in starting the school and for helping write PSOW's curriculum and materials. Mr. Hickey was honored for his 25 years of unparalled service and commitment to furthering PSOW's commitment to quality education.

Ms. Eyring summed up the Summit's success: “Because PSOW's goal is to educate individuals to build relationships by providing universally-accepted cross-cultural communication, protocol, and etiquette training, we decided to focus on building relationships for the future; with a nod to the past. All those in attendance agreed that we achieved our goal by bringing together professionals who graciously shared their knowledge of cross-cultural relations and diplomacy - all in the framework of a collegial setting."

Prestige sponsors of The Protocol School of Washington's Global Education Summit (2014) included: Princess Cruises; Diageo; Aperian Global; Brown Forman; Tiffany & Co.; Crane & Co.; Petrossian Paris; Salon Daniel; Keith Lipert Gallery; The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, and Zil Photography. The Protocol School of Washington® was founded in 1988 and is the first school to offer business etiquette training. Today, PSOW is the first and only nationally-accredited business etiquette, image, and international protocol school in the country training those in the corporate and non-profit world, academia, and within the government and the military. PSOW is the acknowledged global leader in its field, with nearly 4,000 graduates from 68 countries and is renowned for its expert trainers who hail from The White House, the Disney Institute, The Hague, the military, international academia, and corporate America. Students travel to take PSOW courses from such countries as Bulgaria; Canada; China; the United Kingdom; Ghana; India; Saudi Arabia; Switzerland, and those in the Caribbean.

Learn more - http://www.psow.edu/global-education-summit