Afternoon Tea provides the setting. Etiquette Etiquette® creates the experience.
Etiquette Etiquette® private Afternoon Tea Experiences combine professional presence, business and social etiquette, communication, dining confidence, and relationship-building within the distinguished setting of The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.
Each experience is thoughtfully designed around the organization, its participants, and its goals, whether for professional development, leadership engagement, client appreciation, member programming, donor cultivation, or a meaningful private gathering.
The table becomes the classroom.
Conversation becomes the curriculum.
Presence becomes the practice.
DESIGNED FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT VALUE PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
Executive & Leadership Teams
A refined professional-development experience designed to strengthen executive presence, communication, confidence, relationship-building, and leadership etiquette.
Corporate Retreats
Move beyond the traditional conference room with an interactive experience centered on professional presence, communication, interpersonal intelligence, and meaningful connection.
Women's Leadership Groups
A sophisticated setting for leadership development, confidence, professional presence, communication, relationship-building, and personal refinement.
Associations & Membership Organizations
Offer members a distinctive educational and networking experience designed to strengthen communication, professional relationships, and confidence in formal and business.
Nonprofit & Mission-Driven Organizations
Create an elevated experience for leadership teams, donors, stakeholders, program participants, or community partners while incorporating professional development and meaningful engagement.
Client & Employee Appreciation
Recognize important relationships with a private experience that is thoughtful, polished, interactive, and memorable while providing participants with skills they can use well beyond the table.
WHY THE TABLE MATTERS
Professional success depends on more than technical competence.
How we introduce ourselves, communicate, listen, host, dine, navigate unfamiliar environments, and make others feel can directly affect trust, credibility, relationships, and opportunity.
The Private Afternoon Tea Experience creates a sophisticated learning environment where participants can engage in conversation, practice professional and social etiquette, strengthen interpersonal skills, and apply what they learn immediately.
Executive Presence
Confidence, composure, professional image, self-awareness, and the ability to enter professional environments with intention.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Introductions, conversation, listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, and confident navigation of professional interactions.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Building trust, reading social situations, strengthening interpersonal awareness, and creating meaningful professional connections.
LEADERSHIP & ETIQUETTE
Professional courtesies, hierarchy, introductions, hosting responsibilities, cultural awareness, and appropriate protocol for the organization’s environment.
THREE AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCE
Choose from two private organizational experiences and one public signature experience. Private programs are designed for groups of 15 or more and may be customized according to group size, objectives, curriculum, venue requirements, and level of customization.
Professional Presence Afternoon Tea Experience - Private
From $295 per participant
A refined introduction to professional presence and modern etiquette.
A refined professional presence and etiquette experience designed for organizations seeking practical instruction in confidence, communication, dining, and social etiquette.
Possible focus areas include:
Best for: employee groups, membership organizations, emerging leaders, client groups, and professional teams.
Executive Presence Afternoon Tea Experience - Private
From $325 per participant
A more elevated private experience designed for leadership groups seeking stronger confidence, communication, professional image, and refined business etiquette.
Designed around the organization’s people, culture, and objectives, with deeper instruction and facilitated discussion.
May include:
Best for: leadership teams, women’s leadership groups, retreats, associations, boards, and organizations seeking a deeper development experience.
Signature Afternoon Tea Class - Public
From $175 per participant
A refined public afternoon tea etiquette experience designed for individuals seeking greater confidence, dining etiquette, conversation skills, and social ease in an elegant setting.
Best for: individuals, couples, friends, families, professionals, and anyone seeking a polished introduction to afternoon tea etiquette.
Larger groups may be accommodated based on venue availability and program requirements.
AN ICONIC WASHINGTON SETTING
Selected Private Afternoon Tea Experiences are hosted at the historic Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C., offering an elegant setting for professional development, relationship-building, and private hospitality.
Venue availability and hospitality arrangements are subject to hotel requirements.
AN EXPERIENCE YEARS IN THE MAKING
Etiquette Etiquette® has presented Afternoon Tea programming at The Willard since 2021.
What began as traditional etiquette instruction has evolved into a refined professional-development experience combining etiquette, executive presence, communication, leadership, and relationship-building.
RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE IN AFTERNOON TEA ETIQUETTE
Karene A. Putney of Etiquette Etiquette® was featured by Tasting Table in the article, “12 Etiquette Rules to Enjoy Afternoon Tea Like a Royal,” alongside Gary Williams, Principal of the British Butler Institute.
Inside the experience
Create an Experience that your People will remember
The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.
Etiquette Etiquette® private Afternoon Tea Experiences are hosted at The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C., a five-star historic luxury hotel recognized among Washington’s leading hotels.
Located just steps from the White House, The Willard is known for its history, distinguished hospitality, and timeless elegance, providing an exceptional setting for professional development, etiquette instruction, and meaningful connection.
A five-star historic luxury hotel in the heart of Washington, D.C.

