About The Etiquette Advocate

Meet The Etiquette Advocate

Nancy R. Mitchell is an established protocol and etiquette consultant and advisor with more than 25 years of experience in the field. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., where she developed and teaches protocol courses in the School of Business and Public Management's Event Management Certificate Program, as well as at Stratford University, Falls Church, Va. She serves as protocol and special events consultant to the Library of Congress, the world's largest library and cultural center, where she was director of special events and protocol for more than two decades.

In her former position at the Library of Congress, Ms. Mitchell and her staff were responsible for planning and managing more than 400 events each year. She coordinated the institution's major special events, visits of heads of state and other foreign dignitaries, fundraising galas, conferences and meetings. As the Library's chief protocol advisor, she served as liaison to the White House, the U.S Department of State, Congress, the Supreme Court and other government agencies, embassies, academia and corporations.

Ms. Mitchell owns, manages and is principal instructor for The Etiquette Advocate, a firm providing etiquette and protocol training and consulting to corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, embassies, universities, the travel and hospitality industry and individuals. She is quoted on matters of etiquette and protocol by CNN, ABC Nightline, Martha Stewart Living Radio, The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Washington Business Journal, the Associated Press and Washingtonian magazine, has been featured on ABC Good Morning America, Fox News and National Public Radio, and is an etiquette columnist for Experience.com, etiquette consultant to Engaged! magazine, and technical editor of Wedding Etiquette for Dummies (Wiley, 2010). She is co-owner and founding partner of the firm, Protocol Partners-Washington Center for Protocol and is a member of the Protocol and Diplomacy International Protocol Officers Association.


IN THE NEWS

"Dinner Helps Students Master Networking Etiquette"
By Silvia Villacampa
The Stylus, George Mason University (July 25, 2010)

“Protector of the Flag"
by Sam Scott
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (July 1, 2010)

“Flag Etiquette”
Morning Living
Martha Stewart Living Radio (June 30, 2010)

“Poll: Lack of civility a problem, and politics is the worst”
The Washington Examiner (June 22, 2010)

"When networking, count your contacts—and make them count"
by Vickie Elmer
The Washington Post (April 18, 2010)

"Social Media Etiquette: Communicate Behavioral Expectations"
by Heidi Russell Rafferty
Society for Human Resource Management (March 24, 2010)

“Brush up on etiquette before you ‘share the wealth’ with friends”
By Julia Scott
New Jersey Business News (March 19, 2010)

“Facebook Etiquette: Study Finds People Frown Upon Social Media at Work"
WTOP News Radio (February 25, 2010)

“The Washington Run-in: A Behavioral Guide"
By Kris Kitto
The Hill (February 9, 2010)

“Snow Has You Housebound? Don't Forget to Let Your Host Know"
By Kaitlin Schluter
Washington Examiner (February 5, 2010)

“Tips for Tipping"
By Dave Copeland
Boston Globe (December 20, 2009)

“2nd Annual Going Green DC Gift Guide”
Going Green DC Blog (December 7, 2009)

“Gift Guide 2009: Got Present Tensions?”
By Katie Knorovsky
Washington Post Express (December 4, 2009)

“Re-Gifting Rules”
By Melanie Alnwick
Fox 5 News (November 19, 2009)

“Outbursts Have Many Asking About Decorum Deficit”
ABC 7 News (September 14, 2009)

“Should You Leave a Tip for Takeout? We Asked…”
By Tamara Ikenberg
Louisville Courier-Journal (August 3, 2009)

“Mind Your Wireless Manners!”
AT&T Mobile Connection (July 2009, Edition 2)

“Free Online Videos Help Networkers Become More Confident Diners”
by Jennifer Nycz-Conner
Washington Business Journal Online (July 27, 2009)

“Recession Etiquette”
ABC Good Morning America Weekend (July 25, 2009)

“‘Pfine’? Phooey”
The Washington Post (July 4, 2009)

“Recession Etiquette: Money Talks, So Don't Talk Money”
ABC 7 News - Washington, D.C. (June 24, 2009)

“How Do You Get Out of Pricey Social Commitments?”
Bargain Babe Blog (May 21, 2009)

“Recession Etiquette”
CNN.com (March 27, 2009)

“Etiquette Tips for Hard Economic Times”
CBS4 - Miami (March 24, 2009)
(Aired in over 100 markets)

“Operation Inauguration”
by Cecily Fernandez
TV-16, Government of the District of Columbia Cable Television
(January 2009)

“Monkeysee Monkey Do: Basic Dining Etiquette”
NBC News 4 (January 19, 2009)

“How to Talk About the Election”
by Margit Detweiler
The Associated Press (October 31, 2008)

"Wedding Etiquette Chat"
by Nancy Mitchell
The Washingtonian Magazine (October 16, 2008)

"Business Etiquette Around the World"
by Anthony Balderrama
CareerBuilder.com (September 15, 2008)

"RSVP.. or else! Debut season protocol ends on Mardi Gras but good manners apply year-round"
by Maria Montoya
The Times-Picayune (July 27, 2008)

"Boost Your Etiquette IQ"
by Mary Lou Jay
Building Washington - The Voice of Construction in Washington, D.C. (Volume 23, No.2)

"Flag Etiquette 101"
by Kris Kitto
The Hill (June 9, 2008)

"Glass Ware Etiquette"
by Sandy Mitchell
Celebrate Wine (June 4, 2008)

"Workday as Runway"
by Beth Luberecki
Washington Post Express (May 14, 2008)

"Money Talk"
by Sharyn Alfonsi
ABC Nightline (May 2, 2008)

"It’s OK, you can call me Mud"
by Kris Kitto
The Hill (February 20, 2008)

"There's an Ultrasound in My In-Box!"
by Jennifer Nycz-Conner
Grandparents.com (February 4, 2008)

"E-Mail Is There for the Asking"
by Ruth Hayes Robbins
The Washington Post (December 6, 2007)

"The Misfits"
by Vicky Hallett
The Washington Post (August 28, 2007)

"Canadians Tight-Fisted About Tipping, Survey Says"
by Rita Trichur
The Toronto Star (July 25, 2007)
(click on "Tips on Tipping")

"Cell Phone Etiquette"
by Ira Mellman
WTOP News (May 2007)

"Extreme Etiquette"
Fox 5 News (March 15, 2007)

"Etiquette Skills"
Fox Morning News (February 6, 2007)
Holly Morris Features
(To view, click on SIDE BAR - VIDEO)

"Some Tips on Tipping"
by Robert Gold
The News-Times, Danbury, CT (February 3, 2007)

"Good Morning America"
ABC News (January 2, 2007)

"Office Party Etiquette"
WETA Radio/National Public Radio
"The Intersection" with Rebecca Roberts - (December 15, 2006)

"Styles: Reply or Else I'll... "
By Vicky Hallett
Washington Post Express (September 15, 2006)

"The Polite Academy"
By Melanie D.G. Kaplan
Washington Post Express (September 13, 2006)

"A Fine How-Do-You-Do "
By Bravetta Hassell
The Washington Post (July 15, 2006)

"Stay the Course"
By Sarah Godfrey
Washington City Paper (March 24-30, 2006)

Wedding Etiquette; Wisdom at a Glance
By Nancy R. Mitchell
Engaged! Magazine (Spring 2006)

"A Question Worth Asking"
by Lucy Webb
Washington Business Journal (August 19-15, 2005)

"A Minder to Mind Your Manners"
by Mireya Navarro
The New York Times (August 14, 2005)

"Etiquette Guru Teaches Vital International People Skills"
by Jennifer Nycz-Conner
Washington Business Journal (May 27 - June 2, 2005)

"Present and Accounted For: Jolly Advice for Gift Giving at Work"
by Lucy Webb
Washington Business Journal (December 2-8, 2005)


GUEST SPEAKER SCHEDULE

The Etiquette Advocate has served as guest speaker for the following organizations:
  • 7/26/10 - Guest speaker in the Monday Morning Speakers series at 40Plus of Greater Washington on “Business Etiquette and People Skills,” critical additions to one’s business toolkit in a tight job market.
  • 5/15/10 - Luncheon speaker at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. at the Second Annual Journalism Survival Bootcamp
  • 3/30/10 - Protocol panel participant at the Embassy of Germany at a meeting of the Protocol Professionals Club. Club members represent embassies, international organizations, federal and local government offices.
  • 2/23/10 - School of Engineering, University of Virginia - Dining Etiquette Essentials workshop
  • 2/11/10 - Georgia Meeting Planners International conference on Emerging Strategies for Success, Altanta, GA - International Protocol.
  • 1/25/10 - McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia - Dining Etiquette Essentials workshop presented in the historic Rotunda on campus. See mention in McIntire Minute Newsletter
  • 11/17/09 – International Education Week, George Washington University - "International Protocol"
  • 7/17/09 – American Society for Interior Design, Chapter Leadership Conference 2009, Cincinnati, OH – “Business Etiquette and People Skills”
  • 7/14/09 – Life Technologies, Eugene, OR – “Entertainment Protocol”
  • 7/9/09 – FutureBound – “Etiquette and People Skills”
  • 5/29/09 - Orphan Foundation of America - "Business Etiquette and People Skills"
  • 5/19/09 - Northwestern University Alumni Association - "Etiquette and Networking Skills"
  • 5/2/09 - National Press Club - "Journalism Survival Bootcamp: Power Networking"
  • 4/4/09 - Miss D.C. International Pageant Contestant Welcome Seminar - "Public Etiquette for a Public Figure"
  • 3/31/09 - National Press Club - "Power Networking"
  • 3/16/09 - National Press Club - "Maximize Your Source Lunch"
  • 2/10/09 - Innovate to Motivate 2009: The 8th Annual National Conference for Political Involvement Professionals, New Orleans, LA - “Business Etiquette and People Skills: Discover the Power of Modern Manners”
  • 1/29/09 – Northern Virginia Technology Council - "Global People Skills"
  • 11/9/08 – Dress for Success – Baltimore, MD
  • 10/16/08 – Future Bound – Dining Etiquette Workshop
  • 10/14/08 – Washington Club – "Etiquette Evolution"
  • 7/15/08 – Youth Business Initiative – Business Etiquette Workshop
  • 6/12/08 International Special Events Society, DC Annual Tabletop Competition Dinner Speaker: “Tabletop Timeline Tour” "www.dcises.org/main/2008-juneevent.shtml"
  • 6/6/08 – Conference on Multi-Cultural Perspectives on Aging, Abuse, and Culturally Sensitive Intervention Conference sponsored by the D.C. Office on Aging, the Institute for Geriatric Social Work, and the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
    "law.cua.edu/Stories 2008/Transcultural Understanding.cfm"
  • 6/5/08 - Citi Smith Barney, Baltimore, MD – Dining Etiquette Presentation
  • 5/30/08 - InternAmerica Program, Orphan Foundation of America– Business and Dining Etiquette Workshop
  • 4/19/08 - Miss DC International Pageant Contestants Welcome Seminar – “Manners Matter”
    "www.missdcinternational.com/html/showcase.php"
  • 4/17/08 - Marketing Directors Support Group, Baltimore, MD – Dining Etiquette Presentation
  • 4/5/08 - 40Plus of Great Washington – Business Etiquette Workshop
  • 3/31/08 - Arlington County (VA) Independent Living Program – Business Etiquette Workshop
  • 3/14/08 - Chavez Charter School, Washington, D.C. – Business and Dining Etiquette Presentation
  • 1/14/08 - 40Plus DC – “Business Etiquette – Discover the Power of Moden Manners”
    "www.40plus-dc.org/PastSpeakers.cfm"
  • 7/17/07 - DC Bar Association, Corporations, Finance and Securities Law Section – Business and Dining Etiquette Presentation
  • 7/16/07 – Youth Business Initiative – Business and Dining Etiquette Workshop
  • 4/27/07 Montgomery County, MD 3rd Annual Administrative Professionals Conference – Business Etiquette Workshop
  • 3/15/07 American Bar Association, Business Law Section – “Etiquette, Protocol and Social Networking to Advance Your Career”
  • 12/5/06 – Leadership Fairfax, Emerging Leaders Institute – “The Etiquette Equation: Good Manners Mean Good Business”
  • 10/28/06 – Dress For Success D.C. – Business Etiquette Presentation

Representative CLIENT LIST

  • America Online (AOL)
  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section
  • American Society of Interior Designers
  • Asian Development Bank
  • Association of American Indian Physicians
  • Association of American Medical Colleges
  • BAE Systems, Inc.
  • Capital One Corporation
  • Catholic University of America
  • Choice Hotels International
  • Clark Construction
  • Coppin State University
  • DC Bar Association, Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section
  • D.C. Child and Family Services Agency
  • Fannie Mae
  • First Class, Inc.
  • Freeman Foundation
  • FutureBound, National Center for Children and Families
  • General Dynamics Corporation
  • General Services Administration
  • Genworth Financial
  • George Mason University
  • George Washington University Department of Athletics
  • George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies
  • George Washington University MBA Association
  • George Washington University School of Business
  • Georgetown University, Office of the President
  • Georgia Meeting Planners International
  • Grant Thornton LLC
  • Hager Sharp
  • Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
  • HITT Contracting
  • Howard University
  • Howrey LLP
  • Institute for Operations Research and Management Services
  • Karamah
  • KTA Group, Inc.
  • Langhart Communications
  • Library of Congress
  • Life Technologies
  • Lincoln Military Housing, Inc.
  • Marketing Directors Support Group
  • Miss D.C. International Pageant
  • Montgomery County (MD) Commission For Women
  • National Gas Supply Association
  • National Press Club
  • Northwestern University Alumni Association
  • Orphan Foundation
  • Professionals in the City
  • Ragsdale Liggett, PLLC
  • Ritz Carlton Hotel
  • St. John's College High School
  • Stratford University
  • Team Enterprises USA
  • Trinity University
  • Umstead Hotel and Spa
  • University of Virginia School of Commerce
  • University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • WG Scorpion, LLC
  • The World Bank
  • YearUp
  • Youth Business Initiative