The International Association of Protocol Consultants® and Officers (IAPC) was founded by Alinda Lewris in September 2002 as a non-profit 501(c)6 organization to address the frequently expressed need for a common arena where practitioners in the field could congregate, exchange ideas, and have a forum for their voices. After extensive review of international standards for higher-education and interviews with the leading industry icons, IAPC developed a third-party / peer reviewed program for all professionals interested in civility, country-specific do's & taboos, and protocol.
We are pleased to report that with the help of those who gave of their time and talent, IAPC has achieved all goals set forth by our founding Board of Directors, along with the Founders own initial objectives in establishing this organization.
The following is a brief timeline illuminating some of what IAPC achieved thus far:
Attaining third-party membership approval by the Convention Industry Council
Building a global executive membership roster that also includes professionals from Fortune 500 companies, the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State, and the executive offices of The White House
Convening a first-ever Washington DC conference that brought together the leading industry icons, acclaimed authors, global professionals from Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and sole proprietorships whose daily lives are geared to the protocol and etiquette industry
Developing an IAPC exclusive program authorized/approved by Roger E. Axtell, the bestselling author of ten books, including the most recent Essential Do's and Taboos: The Complete Guide to International Business and Leisure Travel
Earning the designation as the official protocol and continuing education advisors to the Joint Military Attaché School, US Defense Intelligence Agency
Establishing an educational relationship with the esteemed Emily Post Institute
Setting new standards of excellence in Executive Education programs for Civility | Country-Specific Do's & Taboos | International Protocol
Through the development and public offerings of executive education conferences and the generous dissemination of information regarding university-level programs, international standards, and professional certification in protocol, IAPC has served the interested public and thousands of global professionals who are experienced producers and/or directors of events involving world leaders, heads of state, foreign dignitaries, and corporate executives. Some have worked directly with United States Presidents, White House officials, the U.S. State Department, and other countries' government representatives. TODAY, our most dedicated founding members and authorized instructors are under contract to either teach at the university-level or author separate protocol and etiquette works and industry related materials. In addition, key IAPC officers have developed, together with industry icons, advanced programs in protocol and civility, leadership training, and SMART manners. These programs are requested by universities and private businesses, including members of Fortune 500 Global corporations.
I wish to thank the many individuals, companies, and organizations who have stepped forward, sponsored, volunteered and/or participated in industry specific research to help establish IAPC as an international resource for Academia, Executives, Members of Fortune Global 500 Companies, Corporations/Organizations, Government, and National/International Media seeking reliable information on Protocol, Etiquette, and Civility.
Like any organization that seeks to build on its accomplishments and evolve to a higher level consistent with its core philosophy and principles, IAPC will now take on a proactive role in the current national discussion concerning civility. Our intention is to re-focus the thinking and resources of IAPC on this critically important subject area. Accordingly, our future role is to study civility. We will continue to use our acronym IAPC, but with its new descriptor emphasizing 'PROMOTING CIVILITY.
It is our intent to continue offering programs on civility, country-specific do's & taboos, and international protocol; to share resources freely on our public Web site; and to conduct web polls born in part by your feedback. Through the Web site, electronic newsletters, and special events, I will work to strengthen the relationships developed since the Association's founding. To all who have been a part of and supported our organization, and to all who may be visiting our Web site for the first time, please join me as we enter this new dimension.
2002 - - - conducted extensive research and interviewed industry authorities, distinguished academicians, and entrepreneurs to document market needs/desires - - - invited the public and industry professionals to participate in a SURVEY to collect objective evidence to support the content of preliminary certification design - - - developed an original strategic plan for an innovative Certified Protocol Consultant® | CPC® and Certified Protocol Officer® | CPO® Credentialing Program
2003 - - - outlined requirements regarding appropriate education and training background, technical knowledge, and experience of personnel serving on the IAPC Certification Council. The IAPC Certification Council is a division of the International Association of Protocol Consultants® / Officers that is focused intently on serving the experienced professional (in an established protocol/etiquette-related career) who is interested in pursuing the IAPC Certified Protocol Consultant® CPC® | Certification Protocol Officer® CPO®
2004 - - - invited third party review of all IAPC certification procedures by well-seasoned executives who have served on various certification committees for internationally recognized non-profit associations, including the Convention Industry Council - - - approved policy and procedures for granting, maintaining, renewing, expanding, suspending and withdrawing of certification - - - reviewed legal requirements for maintaining the rights of trademarks - - - launched the CPC® /CPO® Certification Programs - - - acknowledged by third party review for undertaking appropriate steps in establishing our certification programs; including a support statement by the President of the Convention Industry Council
2005 - - -conducted additional research and interviewed industry authorities, distinguished academicians, and entrepreneurs to document current market needs/desires - - - attained third-party membership 'unanimous' approval by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). IAPC is proud to state that we were the first protocol organization to become a member in CIC: a 33 member organization that represents more than 103,500 individuals and over 17,300 firms and properties in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry. - - - earned the designation as the official protocol and continuing education advisors to the Joint Military Attache School, US Defense Intelligence Agency
2006 - - - incorporated the new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) ISO/IEC 17024 certification requirements into our program as deemed appropriate - - - invited third party review of certification procedures by executives who hold and maintain a minimum of one globally recognized and approved appellation, i.e,. CME, CMM, CMP etc. - - - requested certificants to submit an evaluation of the CPC® /CPO® programs to ensure fairness, validity, reliability, and performance of the certification process - - - established procedures for dealing with any identified certification deficiencies in a constructive and timely manner - - - invited an Independent Certification Panel to review the IAPC certification Web site and program requirements - - - registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the mark CPC®. Application was examined and determined to be in compliance with the requirements of the law and with the regulations prescribed by the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and that the Application is entitled to registration of the Mark under the Trademark Act of 1946
2007 - - - registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the mark CPO® - - - registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office the marks Certified Protocol Consultant® and Certified Protocol Officer® - - - established an educational relationship with the esteemed Emily Post Institute
2008 - - - invited third party review of certification procedures by executives who hold and maintain a minimum of one globally recognized and approved appellation, i.e,. CME, CMM, CMP etc. - - - conducted research and interviewed industry authorities, distinguished academicians, and entrepreneurs to document current market needs/desires - - - revised Web to reflect the most current information and to provide a more user-friendly site
2009 - - - revised the foundational levels of assessment for certification, i.e., documenting experience, education, achievements, industry involvement, professional development, and peer recognition, to include an assessment/examination effective January 2009 - - - designed a new and exclusive IAPC offering Essential Do's & Taboos | Authorized and Approved by Roger E. Axtell - - - launched the IAPC MASTER CLASS | Civility | Essential Do's & Taboos | International Protocol, formerly called Mastering International Protocol.
2010 - - -
IAPC | Civility, Country-Specific Do's and Taboos, and International Protocol | Washington DC
International Association of Protocol Consultants®, Certified Protocol Consultant®, CPC®, Certified Protocol Officer®, and CPO® are Service Marks filed and registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.