Episode 1: Setting up a Summit

On this episode, Bruce and Mariana speak to Steve Derden, who works on protocol and events at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Steve has worked at NATO for more than nine years and has been involved in the past five summits. 
He answers all our questions and explains when summit planning starts, what happens on the actual day and how he makes sure that the show runs smoothly. 
He also tells us about his unusual career path (including working as a bodyguard for the Belgian royal family) and shares one of his favourite summit memories. 

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Chapters

• 1:35 What does a head of protocol and events do?
• 4:18 A summit day
• 6:54 When does summit planning start?
• 9:07 From bodyguard to Head of protocol and events
• 14:22 Sticking to the protocol
• 16:12 Planning a summit in a pandemic
• 18:19 A summit anecdote