GAYLE M. ANDERSON / Chief of Protocol, Orange County Office of Protocol

When a prime minister or royalty visits Orange County, Gayle M. Anderson has the duty of being the first to greet him or her. As chief of protocol, Anderson deals with 87 consulates in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco. These days, the job has taken on a new significance in helping local companies establish trading contacts abroad. An Anaheim resident, Anderson is a former apparel shop owner and real estate saleswoman. She recently spoke with Times staff writer Chris Woodyard.

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What is the importance of the Office of Protocol?

I am the official liaison for the consul corps in Los Angeles, which has 79 countries represented. I am also the liaison with the consul corps in San Francisco that has jurisdiction over Orange County. My role is to promote business between Orange County and the global community.

Has your office become more important in terms of Orange County’s importing and exporting business?

Yes. That has sort of taken off within the last four months. Many of the consuls general who come and see Orange County request visits to high-tech companies. They are always very impressed with the number of high-tech companies here.

And how do you go about helping Orange County businesses?

I’m working closely with the Orange County Chamber of Commerce because it is an excellent place to network. When I meet someone who has an interest in doing business abroad, I immediately tell them that I would like to introduce them to the consul general of that country. If it happens that consul general is assuming a new post, I invite them to a coffee reception to meet them and introduce them to the Board of Supervisors.

So it sounds like in the past your job was one more of diplomacy. Now it’s bringing businesses together?

Diplomacy is still a part of it. I happen to love that part as much. I am so excited about the matchmaking that is happening with the businesses. Our office is inundated with calls from companies that seek our services when they bring business people from another country.

Your office recently put on a trade conference. Was that the first?

It was the eighth time, actually. It used to be called the Economic Development Conference, but they changed the name to the eighth International Trade and Investment Exchange. We invited the consul corps, who took some tables.

Are Orange County executives savvy about foreign customs and traditions they need to help them trade?

I think those that have been doing business in other countries, the big companies, they are pretty savvy. However, it’s refreshing when a company is concerned about how they should be presenting themselves. When that happens, I say to myself, ‘Here’s a company that really wants to do business in another country, and they want to do it right.’ Another thing we are doing is offering a four-hour class in business etiquette.

What kind of etiquette tips would you offer business people?

Don’t be so aggressive. Being polite is the No. 1 key for any type of interaction.

Have you ever encountered any diplomatic mistakes while entertaining a foreign delegation here?

One thing that happened came during the visit of a minister from the state of Johor, Malaysia, and our flags were flying at half-staff. For what reason, we still don’t know. I always greet curbside the consul general and any dignitaries that are arriving. And so I greeted this minister, and the first thing he did when he stepped out of his car was look up and the flags were at half-staff. That made me a little nervous and a little uncomfortable.

You must do a little research before greeting a new consul general.

We get their bios. And after that, I try to host them in our county’s cultural community, such as the Opera Pacific and the Pageant of the Masters. They are very impressed with what we have going down here in this county because 10 years ago we didn’t have all of this. By the time they leave, they usually have an awareness of the business climate and the culture.

You obviously enjoy this job, yet you serve without pay as a volunteer. What is the personal reward?

I have been a realtor. I have had my own clothing shop. I have been in the furniture business. I have never done anything that has been as fulfilling as what I am doing right now. I am meeting so many interesting people. It’s also an education for me. It’s extremely stimulating intellectually. I am not only learning about other countries and policies, but I am learning about our own county and what we have to offer by going to wonderful companies like McDonnell Douglas, Rockwell International, FileNet and Beckman Instruments.

Does Orange County’s lack of a major international airport hinder business relocation here?

We don’t have an international airport, so that’s a little bit of handicap. That’s probably the reason we have most of the consul corps located in Los Angeles, although Orange County does have a Singapore office and a Marshall Islands office. We did have Paraguay, but they have since moved to Los Angeles. However, the consul general lives here, and she loves Orange County.

How do you go about inviting foreign dignitaries to Orange County?

I was in Washington and I took the opportunity to visit four embassies and talked to the ambassadors. I always invite them to come, and I say, ‘Please bring your king or your prime minister or president because Orange County has something to offer.’

On the need for companies to become more aware of trade possibilities...

“Los Angeles has something called the Small Business Development Center. They take people step by step to show them how to export.”

On technology transfer to China... “They do want the technology, and they are willing to pay for it. They want to have American business people come to China.”

On foreign dignitaries’ interest in trade...

“Within the last couple of years, I think the consuls have been more geared toward coming here for business.”

On the need to reach all of Orange County...

“I want to work with all 31 cities. When I receive delegations here, I want to be able to say, ‘Oh, over in Garden Grove or over in Stanton. . . ,’ not just Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine.”