The Etiquette Institute

This past weekend, The Etiquette Institute hosted our first of four Etiquette Consulting Certificate training programs of 2025 and welcomed four new members: Carl Zapora, Beth Barsotti, Jason (Jay) Harcum, and Grace Gutierrez, Ph.D. Once again, the Spokane-based training was held on the Gonzaga University campus. The training was engaging and the discussion proved to be thought provoking. Congratulations to everyone and best wishes as you continue to grow as etiquette coaches who embrace the mantra that #EtiquetteisforEveryone! Thanks a bunch to Summer Salazar who served as my cofacilitator bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the certificate training programs. The Etiquette Consulting Certificate is offered in partnership with the Gonzaga University Center for Lifelong Learning. The next Etiquette Consulting Certificate program will be held at the St. Louis Marriott West Hotel. April 11-12, 2025. We hope to see you there!

The Etiquette Institute Consultant Spotlight: Renita Jackson When I purchased The Etiquette Institute in 2021, founder Maria Everding wanted to meet one of her favorite trainees and she is a shining example of an etiquette educator who does the work for all the right reasons. Here's a transcript of our recent interview. Over 20 years ago, I followed my passion to increase my knowledge of social graces, so I took etiquette training from The Etiquette Institute of St. Louis, and received my Etiquette Consulting Certificate. With my training, I started teaching etiquette classes to children and adults on business etiquette and social graces. Over the years, I have taught classes, conducted workshops, judged competitions, and been the keynote speaker for various events. I’ve done so for schools, businesses, clubs, churches, public and private groups, and individuals. I love and believe in what I do. Mostly, I enjoy that I have helped to enrich the lives of so many people over the years. It is gratifying to know that I have made a positive difference in the lives of others. I was raised by a gracious mom who did a lot of entertaining in our home. Because of her Southern hospitality, she wanted to do things the proper way. She always referred to the Amy Vanderbilt Book of Etiquette for direction. My mother taught me, my sister, and my brother etiquette lessons from that book. We had to refer to it for everything we did inside and outside of the home. The valuable lessons instilled in us by my mom, I still embrace today. I now have a deep passion for teaching and sharing the importance of doing things the proper way. I get excited when I know I’ve made a difference in the lives of others. I had a young college student attend one of my dining etiquette classes. At the end of the class, he gave a toast. Taking me by surprise, he said, “I honestly came to this class with my college program to get a free meal. To my surprise, I learned some useful skills that I can use for the rest of my life. . . A toast to Ms. Jackson!” One of my favorite morsels of etiquette advice is, “You can’t be next if you’re not in line. Let good etiquette skills get you in place.” Many people think etiquette is just about fancy dining and which fork to use. While proper dining skills are a major part of etiquette training, there is a lot more involved. Etiquette disciplines include anything from social graces, networking, and common courtesies to communications, basic skills, and more. It’s also important to know the things that etiquette is not. Etiquette is not about being snobby, stuffy, or perfect. Etiquette is about being prepared. I enjoy helping my students and clients to become better prepared for every business and social situation they may face and to handle them with style and grace.

So proud of and impressed by The Etiquette Institute Associate Trainer Summer Salazar. She’s made significant and meaningful contributions to the career services profession. Now, she’s making a brave and bold choice to share her expertise and talent through her business, Salazar Consulting. Looking forward to seeing you shine, Summer!

The Etiquette Institute Consultant Spotlight: Summer Salazar Summer Salazar, CEO/Founder of?The Etiquette Trainer by Salazar Consulting, is modernizing the way individuals and organizations approach etiquette and workplace readiness. With a 20-year career in higher education, and national nonprofit organizations, Summer brings a wealth of experience working with influential corporations, from small/medium size businesses to global giants, where she has built an intricate understanding of workplace dynamics across industries. Whether partnering with tech innovators, public sector leaders, or multinational corporations, Summer has created recruiting pipelines for organizations and their future talent.? Summer's focus is preparing individuals for the complex demands of today’s workforce by teaching them the skills needed to navigate diverse professional environments with confidence. Summer is actively involved in professional associations throughout the nation, including the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE), where she served as?President, representing a 15-state region with 1,800+ members from 300+ colleges, universities and organizations. Her leadership in higher education, career services, and etiquette training is widely recognized. Most recently, Summer served as the inaugural Director of Employer Engagement at Texas Career Engagement, The University of Texas at Austin. In this role, she provided strategic direction for employer engagement initiatives on local, regional, and global levels, and spearheaded innovative programs such as?HookTalent EDU, an employer development program designed to help organizations optimize their recruiting strategies at UT Austin and beyond. Summer’s leadership extended to hosting critical discussions on emerging trends in university recruiting and expanding internship and employment opportunities for students and alumni. Her insights into professional behavior, from engaging with high-profile executives to navigating cultural nuances, inspired her to pursue the?Etiquette Consulting Certificate in 2013 from The Etiquette Institute, where she now serves as an Associate Trainer. Launching?Salazar Consulting LLC?in 2015 was a dream come true for Summer. Her trainings are designed to resonate with a broad audience—from students entering the workforce to seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills. Her ability to?merge cross-industry expertise?ensures every training is tailored, practical, and impactful for all individuals to thrive in the workplace. When asked about her favorite etiquette advice, she shares a powerful reminder:?“Don’t just be yourself, be your BEST self.”?Striving to be your best self demonstrates self-awareness, adaptability, and respect for others, all of which are essential for building trust, fostering collaboration, and seizing opportunities.

The Etiquette Institute Consultant Spotlight: Janet Stewart Jan Stewart's career spans politics, diplomacy, and media. As a recent graduate of The Etiquette Institute, Jan is now poised to share her extensive knowledge and insights in the world of etiquette consulting. ? Jan's professional journey is impressive. She has built a career that includes significant roles in the U.S. Senate and as a senior staff member for Cokie Roberts, a renowned author and former ABC News anchor. Traveling extensively with Roberts, Jan gained invaluable exposure to various cultures and formal events, including the Vatican, Jerusalem, and significant political conventions. Her diplomatic experience is equally noteworthy. Serving as a Special Assistant to U.S. Ambassador Howard H. Baker, Jr. in Japan for four years and later as Chief of Staff to U.S. Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Jan developed a deep understanding of formal protocols. Most recently, she was senior staff to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Chief of Staff for the Leonsis Family Office, LLC. ? Jan's extensive background has profoundly influenced her understanding of etiquette and protocol. Through her work with Roberts, the U.S. Embassy in Japan, and Albright, she learned to blend the principles of etiquette—polite behavior in social settings—with the formality of protocol, which governs official events and business functions. This nuanced understanding has equipped Jan to navigate both social and diplomatic arenas effectively. ? Driven by a desire to apply her credentials and refine her etiquette techniques, Jan decided to pursue the?Etiquette Consulting Certificate. She recognized the growing demand for etiquette training and aimed to become a top trainer in the field. She envisions sharing her knowledge and experiences with individuals eager to learn or advance their understanding of contemporary etiquette applications. Her goal is to empower clients to navigate social interactions with confidence and grace. ? When it comes to her favorite etiquette lesson, Jan draws inspiration from the words of Maya Angelou: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This sentiment underscores the importance of etiquette in fostering positive relationships, both personally and professionally. Jan believes that everyone can benefit tremendously from mastering modern etiquette techniques. ? Jan Stewart’s journey as a member of The Etiquette Institute reflects her commitment to the art of etiquette. With her diverse background and passion for teaching, she is well-equipped to make a significant impact in the lives of those she advises. As she embarks on her new venture in etiquette consulting, Jan stands ready to guide individuals toward enhanced social skills and greater confidence. For anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of modern etiquette,?Jan Stewart is an invaluable partner on that journey.

As the leader of The Etiquette Institute, it’s always fun to bump into members at professional conferences. This week I attended the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges & Employers (MPACE) conference in beautiful San Diego, California and bumped into several folks including Elliott Johnson, PhD, Andrea Hanson, Jonathan E. Byers, M.Ed., GCDF, CCSP, Yasmine Farley, Ph.D and Tianna Sinnott, M.Ed. and was able to snap a few selfies. Sorry I missed one with you Tianna!

Kevin is one of the newest members of The Etiquette Institute and he’s proving that he’s committed to etiquette education on a variety of levels. Kudos to you on your first article! Keep sharing your knowledge, expertise, and talent!

This past weekend, The Etiquette Institute hosted the last of four 2024 Etiquette Consulting Certificate training programs. We were once again at the St. Louis Marriott West Hotel where five colleagues earned their certificates: Sue Kruessel, Norma Guerra Gaier, Bernadette So, Bianca Smith, and Michael Misulich. The training and discussion was lively and engaging. It's always great to both teach and learn from colleagues in higher education and other professional settings. Congratulations to everyone and best wishes as you continue to grow as etiquette coaches who embrace the mantra that #EtiquetteisforEveryone! Once again, Summer Salazar proved why she is a sought-after etiquette trainer and coach. As an added bonus, The Etiquette Institute Founder, Maria Everding joined us for lunch on Friday. The Etiquette Consulting Certificate is offered in partnership with Gonzaga University Center for Lifelong Learning. The next Etiquette Consulting Certificate program will be held in Spokane, Washington, February 21-22, 2025 on the Gonzaga University campus. We hope to see you there!