Olivera Music

I thought it helpful to give you some hints in case you are ever invited to a Presidential function.

First of all, it is a big deal to be invited to meet the most powerful man or woman in the Western world!  You should dress impeccably according to the dress code for the event.  You want to look fabulous when that photo opportunity comes.

If you are invited to a White House reception, be prepared for a long wait to get through Secret Service security.  You may have made the guest list, but no one gets through security fast in this day and age.

There is a receiving line for you to meet the President.  This is the photo opportunity you have been waiting for.  Each individual guest will be announced as they approach the President and have their photo taken by the White House staff.  As a couple, I thought my wife and I would greet the President together, but this was not the case.  At our reception, President Clinton was called away, so the First Lady stepped in to greet all the guests.  We each had our photo taken separately with her.  A few days after the reception our photos arrived, which to this day are proudly on display.

The White House staff will direct all the guests into a room to hear the President speak.  We heard the First Lady give an introduction, followed by the President himself.  This is an extremely exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

All too quickly, the appointed hour will come when the congenial White House staff will motion that the reception has come to an end.  Make dinner reservations at your favorite DC restaurant – the night is young – so continue the celebration.  This is an event you will always remember.