Visiting Dignitary Protocol
GW’s location in the heart of Washington, D.C., offers extraordinary opportunities to welcome some of the world’s most influential leaders to our campus. These visits can take many forms, such as delivering a policy address, teaching a class, or participating in a conference, and they help strengthen GW’s role as a global institution.
Engaging dignitaries requires careful planning and coordination. OGCR is here to partner with you throughout the process to make the experience positive for the visitor, the university, and the GW community. We ask that anyone planning to invite a dignitary to campus, or asked to host an event involving a dignitary, to complete this Google Form prior to extending an invitation to the dignitary. Completing the form will help us provide guidance, coordinate resources, and share best practices that support a successful visit. Our office can help ensure the visit is successful by:
- Coordinating with schedulers to explore opportunities for the President’s participation in the event, when appropriate.
- Advising on protocol and security in collaboration with campus event staff and venues.
- Partnering with Communications to support media participation and publicity.
- Providing background context on the dignitary’s relationship with GW, especially with members of Congress or District officials.
Dignitaries generally include:
- Current or former heads of state, or the spouse of a head of state
- Sitting U.S. Cabinet members or other high-ranking federal officials
- Members of the U.S. Congress
- High-ranking representatives of foreign governments (e.g., ambassador, minister, consul general)
- The Mayor of the District of Columbia
- U.S. Governors
- High-ranking members of royalty
If you have any questions, please contact the ogcr
gwu [dot] edu (Office of Government and Community Relations (OGCR)).