AboutCynthia Lett Expertise Author of "That's So Annoying - An Etiquette Expert On The World's Most Irritating Habits And What To Do About Them" . One of the few Certified Etiquette Professionals (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professionals(CPP) earned by examination through the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals (www.ispep.org).
I will be happy to answer your questions about business or social etiquette, international customs or protocol issues.
Experience Ms. Lett is principal of The Lett Group since 1983. Professionally, Ms. Lett is the founder of and serves as Executive Director of the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals headquartered in Washington, DC.
Organizations University Club of Washington, DC
She is an active member of the National Speakers Association, American Society for Training and Development; Women Business Owners; Professional Convention Management Association; and past member of the American Society of Association Executives; Foundation for International Meetings (Board of Governors 1986-1987). She was elected into Who's Who of American Women; Who's Who of Advertising Executives; 2000 Notable American Women; Who's Who of the World's Women; Who's Who of U.S. Executives and Who's Who of the World.
Publications She has been featured and quoted in publications such as Successful Meetings, Meetings and Conventions, Meeting News, Business Travel News, Washington Business Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, Regardies Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The Robb Report, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Harvard Business Review, Ohio Business Review, Training and Development Journal, CIO Magazine and others
Education/Credentials Certified Protocol Professional
Certified Etiquette Professional
Certificate: Adult Learning Techniques - George Washington University
Master-Legal Studies - Antioch School of Law
BS - Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management - Purdue University
BA - Public Relations / Interpersonal Communications - Purdue University
Awards and Honors Distinguished Darden Professor - Purdue University
Past/Present Clients During 1990, Ms. Lett planned a series of Business Exchange meetings in the Soviet Union for entrepreneurs from the United States who wished to learn about joint ventures with the Soviets in many different fields.
She is featured in the PBS special – Pioneer Living – as the protocol expert. Ms. Lett is also the etiquette expert for the Fine Living Channel and currently featured in Survival Guide – Office Etiquette. She is also a frequent expert on etiquette issues for Fox Cable News.
Question Our organization is having a major fundraising event and will be introducing several VIPs to the audience. In what order should the introductions be ranked? We have been told to use the order of least to greatest. (the mayor before the state Senator; the State Senator before the Congressional Senator; the Congressional Senator before the guest of honor) Is this correct?
Also, when making these introductions how should the emcee present the spouse? Should the introduction be Mr and Mrs James Smith; Mrs Katherine Smith and her husband James; Senator and Mrs George Washington or Senator George Washington and Mrs. Martha Washington?
Thank you for your assistance.
Answer Dear Kate:
Thank you for your question. When speaking to a group in which there are elected officials and VIPs, you would acknowledge them from highest to lowest. Think -State of the Union address - Mr.Vice President, Madame Speaker, Members of Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen... When you are introducing them to an audience you start from the lowest to the highest. That way the most applause would be for the highest level person. To introduce a spouse with them you would say, Senator James Smith and Mrs. Smith.
