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Webinar: Advancing Diplomacy Through International Partnerships
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Category: Events

Advancing Diplomacy Through International Partnerships

Join PDI-POA for an opportunity to learn how one can use the unique details of protocol to connect with international partners and advance opportunity for your organization!

As Protocol officers, our roles span from events coordination to logistics specialization and managing partnerships in the international market. With a global economy, we know that successful collaboration with key international partners drives innovation, advances development and spurs economic growth. Many international collaborative efforts occur without a formal agreement, however Memoranda of Understanding serve as tangible documents which reflect targeted areas of cooperation and are signed by respective governing bodies. The state of Michigan holds over 40 international agreements with partners across the globe, including three sister state agreements spanning back to 1968. Join us for a discussion on how the importance of protocol plays in advancing diplomacy and making your principal a valuable player in the international market.  This session is for any entity that seeks to form an international agreement through diplomacy or those looking to nurture their existing international partnerships  (e.g. states, provinces, corporations, etc.)

 Attendees will leave this session having learned how to:

  • Understand how Protocol sets the tone for cooperation
  • Find commonalities between your state and others around the world by bridging a cultural divide
  • Be an Ambassador for your state 

What will be covered:

  • Identifying targeted partner entities that compliment your own
  • Utilize investment data, cultural exchange, educational exchange, overlapping investment opportunities and business markets
  • Determining if a formal MOU is the right fit
  • Formatting and drafting an MOU
  • Growing your partnership
  • Exploratory Delegation Visits
  • Investment Missions
  • Webinars/Joint Events
Register for the webinar

Presenters:

Lindsay KirchingerLindsay Kirchinger

Lindsay Kirchinger was appointed Michigan’s second Chief of Protocol in 2013.  In this position, Lindsay handles a variety of protocol and international business issues for the State of Michigan.   She is the point of first contact with the diplomatic community both in Michigan and worldwide and is responsible for addressing the needs, concerns, diplomatic and otherwise, of this group.  Lindsay’s responsibilities entail planning foreign trips for the Governor and other state officials and assisting with arrangements for visits by heads of state and other dignitaries when state government is involved.   Lindsay is Michigan’s resource for protocol, international and cultural issues, interacts with Legislators, department directors, top corporate, industry executives, U.S. and foreign leaders, university and local government officials on a regular basis.  Lindsay has over 15 years of Domestic and International Business experience. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and holds her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Katelyn Wilcox SurmannKatelyn Wilcox Surmann

Katelyn Wilcox Surmann assumed the role of Assistant Chief of Protocol for the State of Michigan in 2016 and currently serves as the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board Liaison for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In this position, Katelyn handles of a variety of protocol and international business issues for the State of Michigan. The Protocol office is the primary point of contact with the diplomatic community both in Michigan and worldwide and is responsible for addressing the needs and concerns, diplomatic of otherwise, of this group. Katelyn’s responsibilities entail planning foreign trips for the Governor and other state officials and assisting with arrangements for visits by heads of state and other dignitaries when state government is involved. Katelyn serves as a resource for protocol, international and cultural issues and interacts with legislators, department directors, top corporate and industry executives, U.S. and foreign leaders as well as university and local government officials on a regular basis. 

Katelyn has over fourteen years of legislative experience, specializing in international affairs since 2014. She holds a B.A. in French and a B.A. in Finance with a Specialization in International Business from Michigan State University. 


Educational Webinars

Education of protocol professionals is an integral part of the mission of PDI-POA. Webinars are part of our expanding professional development and member engagement opportunities. They include educational presentations by featured speakers, along with a forum for viewers to ask questions of leading experts of protocol and diplomacy. To promote the instructional environment of the webinar, audio and video interaction for attendees is disabled, with interaction happening through the chat and Q&A functions of the Zoom Webinar platform.

Webinars are open at no additional charge to members of PDI-POA as a benefit of membership. Non-members are invited to attend as well; the non-member registration fee is $50 per person.

Each webinar session will be recorded and made available to PDI-POA members through the members-only Video Library. For non-member registrants, the recording will be available for 30 days after the session via a password-protected link that will be shared after the conclusion of the webinar.


Contact: [email protected]