Back to Basics - Protocol 101, Flags, Precedence and Strategic Planning 

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Panelists:

Bengt - Arne Hulleman

Graduated from Hotelschool The Hague and holding a Master’s degree from Erasmus  University, Bengt-Arne started his career in protocol at the Dutch Royal Household as Policy  Assistant to the Grand Master and to the Master of Ceremonies of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix  of The Netherlands. During the years 2002-2008 he was closely involved in numerous royal and state ceremonies, such as Royal Weddings, State Funerals, Baptisms and many state visits.

Bengt-Arne is also the former Head of the Protocol, Visits and Events Unit of the International  Criminal Court in The Hague (2010-2019), an international organisation with over 120 Member  states. During his tenure he was responsible for the protocol of the opening ceremony of the Permanent Premises (2016) in attendance of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many other dignitaries, and the organisation of the events commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Rome Statute (2018), attended by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, multiple Presidents of National Senates and Parliaments and ministerial delegations.

He is author of The Hague, International City of Peace and Justice: A Relational Network Brand and co-author of Protocol to Manage Relationships Today. Bengt-Arne is now the Executive Director of Protocolbureau. As a protocol expert, he provides assistance in the organisation of high-level events and teaches protocol and international protocol around the world.

Carmen Barcena

Carmen Barcena is currently the Head of Ceremonial and Protocol Services with Public  Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in  Law from Carleton University.  Carmen has been in this position since 2010, but started with  the team in March of 1995.  She has worked at other departments including Statistics  Canada, the Department of Justice and the Canadian Coast Guard in various capacities, only  to return to her first love, flags!

She is affectionately referred to as the “Flag Queen.” Her team manages the federal government’s inventory of national, international, organizational and logo flags along with a broad assortment of ceremonial equipment.  She is passionate about all things related to flags, their meaning and uses.  Her motos, “You can never have enough flags!” and during events, “Don’t touch the flags!”

The ceremonial team provides flag protocol advice and logistical support services for royal tours, foreign dignitary visits, national ceremonies, international summits, commemorations and various ceremonies taking place across Canada and abroad.  Services are provided to all levels of government, foreign missions, non-profit organizations, private companies and the general public.

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