19Oct
Pretoria, South Africa
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
19–30 Oct 2026 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
Reserve a seat
GC-PC-303 · Professional course
Events Management and Protocol
A 10-day events management and protocol course on planning official events, conferences and ceremonies, VIP protocol and etiquette.
10 days (2 weeks)
Classroom, online or in-house
QR-verified certificate
Next intake 19 Oct 2026
Course overview
Official launches, state functions, conferences and visits by dignitaries reflect directly on an organisation's reputation. A missed protocol detail, a poorly managed venue or a confused programme can overshadow the purpose of the event. This events management and protocol course equips staff to plan and run events professionally and to handle protocol with confidence.
The first week covers event management: setting objectives, budgeting, venue selection, suppliers and contracts, programme design, registration, logistics, technology for hybrid events, risk and safety, and teamwork on the day. The second week concentrates on protocol and etiquette: orders of precedence, seating plans, flags and national symbols, receiving dignitaries and VIPs, official correspondence and invitations, dress codes, gifts, diplomatic and cultural protocol, and media at events. Participants plan a complete official event over the two weeks and run part of it as a live simulation.
Participants leave able to deliver well-organised events and apply protocol correctly in official settings.
What you will be able to do
- Plan events with clear objectives, budgets and timelines
- Select venues and manage suppliers and contracts
- Design programmes and manage registration and logistics
- Manage event risks, safety and hybrid technology
- Apply orders of precedence and seating protocol
- Receive and host dignitaries appropriately
- Prepare official correspondence and invitations
- Evaluate events and report results
Who should attend
For events, protocol, public relations and administrative staff who organise official functions and host dignitaries.
- Protocol officers
- Events coordinators
- PR and communication officers
- Executive assistants
- Administrative officers
- County and ministry hospitality staff
- Conference organisers
Course outline
Week 1
Day 1Event Planning Foundations
Topics
- Types of events
- Event objectives
- Stakeholders
- Planning timelines
- Event teams
- Checklists
Practical exerciseSetting objectives and a timeline for an official launch.
Day 2Budgets, Venues and Suppliers
Topics
- Event budgets
- Venue selection
- Site visits
- Supplier procurement
- Contracts
- Cost control
Practical exercisePreparing a budget and venue comparison.
Day 3Programme and Logistics
Topics
- Programme design
- Speakers and moderators
- Registration
- Transport and accommodation
- Catering
- Signage
Practical exerciseDesigning a conference programme and logistics plan.
Day 4Technology, Risk and Safety
Topics
- Hybrid and virtual events
- Audio-visual needs
- Event risk assessment
- Security and crowd safety
- Contingency plans
- Health and emergencies
Practical exerciseCompleting a risk assessment for a large public event.
Day 5Running the Event
Topics
- Run sheets
- Briefing the team
- Managing the day
- Problem solving
- Guest experience
- Media management
Practical exerciseRunning a mock event with unexpected incidents.
Week 2
Day 6Principles of Protocol
Topics
- Purpose of protocol
- National symbols and flags
- Orders of precedence
- Titles and forms of address
- Official dress codes
- Protocol in public institutions
Practical exerciseDetermining precedence for a mixed list of dignitaries.
Day 7Seating, Receiving and Hosting VIPs
Topics
- Seating plans
- Head tables
- Receiving lines
- Arrival and departure
- Security liaison
- Hosting delegations
Practical exercisePreparing seating and arrival plans for a state function.
Day 8Official Correspondence and Etiquette
Topics
- Invitations
- Responses and confirmations
- Programmes and menus
- Business etiquette
- Dining etiquette
- Gift protocol
Practical exerciseDrafting invitations and a printed programme for an official dinner.
Day 9Diplomatic and Cultural Protocol
Topics
- Diplomatic protocol basics
- Visits by foreign delegations
- Cultural and religious sensitivities
- Interpreters
- Exchanging gifts
- Common protocol errors
Practical exercisePlanning a visit by a foreign delegation.
Day 10Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
Topics
- Feedback collection
- Event reports
- Financial reconciliation
- Lessons learned
- Event standards
- Action planning
CapstoneDelivering the planned official event as a simulation and presenting its evaluation.
Course outcome
Participants leave able to deliver professional events and apply official protocol with confidence.
Dates & fees
Full training calendarFees are per participant in US dollars and cover tuition, course materials and your certificate. Travel and accommodation are not included.
02Nov
Mombasa, Kenya
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
2–13 Nov 2026 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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16Nov
Kampala, Uganda
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
16–27 Nov 2026 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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30Nov
Lusaka, Zambia
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
30 Nov – 11 Dec 2026 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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14Dec
Mombasa, Kenya
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
14–25 Dec 2026 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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28Dec
Kampala, Uganda
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
28 Dec 2026 – 8 Jan 2027 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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11Jan
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
11–22 Jan 2027 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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25Jan
Lusaka, Zambia
GC-PC-303
Guaranteed to run
25 Jan – 5 Feb 2027 · 10 days
USD 3,000per participant · 10 days
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