Inviting Speakers

 MBA Student Organizations are welcome to invite guest speakers to enhance learning and engagement. Please follow the guidance below to ensure compliance with university policies and event planning best practices. 

• Invitation Process: Georgetown deans will not issue invitation letters for speakers attending MBA Student Organization events. Student leaders may submit a request to the MBA Program Office, but historically, we do not send official invitations. Club leaders should plan to extend invitations directly. 

• Press Coordination: If media will be present, MSB Communications and University Communications must be informed to coordinate.

• Security: Georgetown University Police Department GUPD event security form should be submitted for all Georgetown Event Management System (GEMS) reservations (Lohrfink, for example) with standard criteria where one or more of the following will occur:
  external speakers/presenters are involved;
  public invited;
  estimated attendance +200;
  alcohol is served;
  press invited. 
  They may decide that no security is needed but will assess your event plans based on the information provided via their form.
  Submit a GUPD Event Security Request Form. MBA Student Organizations must cover any costs associated with required security.  (GUPD website has background on these elements).  Please notify the MBA Program Office before and after the form is submitted. 

• Prominent Speakers 

-  If you would like to invite prominent speakers to your event, contact GU Office of Protocol at guevents@georgetown.edu and the MSB Dean's Office at msbdean@georgetown.edu. Please keep the MBA Program Office (mbaprogramoffice@georgetown.edu) and your MBA club advisor cc'ed in all your communications.

- If you are unsure if your speaker is a prominent one, please contact the Office of Protocol and MSB Dean's office to check. 

- Review this Checklist created by GU Office of Protocol to ensure you follow all necessary steps.

- If you wish to invite federal figures or government officials (e.g., Barack Obama), the Office of Protocol will ask you to contact the Federal Relations Office.

• Prominent Alumni

- Before inviting a prominent Georgetown alumnus, please contact msbalumni@georgetown.edu and the MSB Dean's Office at msbdean@georgetown.edu. Please keep the MBA Program Office (mbaprogramoffice@georgetown.edu) and your MBA club advisor cc'ed in all your communications.

• Inviting Speakers to MBA Career Days:

Talk to the MBA Career Center directly and review information posted on the MBA Career Days page.

• In accordance with Georgetown University’s Speech and Expression Policy, we affirm: “It is not the proper role of a university to insulate individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Deliberation or debate may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the University community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or ill conceived.”
  
  MBA Student Organizations may invite speakers with sensitive or polarizing viewpoints, but are responsible for appropriate preparation and risk management. Careful planning protects the university’s commitment to free expression while ensuring a respectful event environment. 

  1. Inform the MBA Program Office in advance: Notify the office both before and after the speaker is invited and confirmed—at least one month in advance. 

  2. Preparedness: Be ready to explain and defend your speaker selection. Note that controversial speakers may lead to reduced attendance and limited funding. 

  3. Event Monitoring:  A trained Speech & Expression Monitor (Georgetown Staff) is required, especially for keynote events. Only the monitor may authorize the removal of disruptive audience members. You must request this to the MBA Program Office at least 2 months in advance of your event.  

  4. Audience Engagement: Include audience Questions & Answers (Q&A) as part of the program to foster dialogue.

  5. Security: Submit a GUPD Event Security Request Form. MBA Student Organizations must cover any costs associated with required security.  (GUPD website has background on these elements). Inform the MBA Program Office before and after submitting the form. 

  6. Costs: All event-related expenses—including security if required—must be covered by the hosting organization. No university funds will be available unless pre-approved.