Putting In a Good World for O.C. : Protocol foundation, which promotes Orange County, honors L.A. and San Francisco consular corps with a gala.

About 400 guests, including consuls general representing more than 40 foreign countries, came together for what has become a kind of miniature United Nations--the 10th Anniversary International Protocol Ball.

The International Visitors and Protocol Foundation of Orange County staged the worldly gala Saturday at the Newport Beach Marriott to salute the consular corps of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The $150-per-person gala was expected to net more than $50,000 for the foundation, which promotes Orange County around the world.

Peaceful Coexistence

The consuls general, representing the People’s Republic of China, Switzerland, Britain, Japan, Germany, South Africa and other foreign nations, mingled at a champagne reception in a salon decorated with the flags of their countries.

“They get along beautifully. All is at peace here,” said Eva Schneider, deputy chief of protocol, who attended with her husband Fred. “You would never know that there are wars” going on in the world.

For event organizers, staging the ball requires much diplomatic skill to make sure all of the dignitaries feel welcome.

“It takes a great deal of thought and time to seat them correctly and introduce them correctly,” said Jerrel Richards, president of the protocol foundation.

In keeping with protocol, each member of the consular corps was introduced by master of ceremonies Erich Vollmer before the dinner and escorted into the ballroom by a U.S. Marine carrying that country’s flag.

Guests sat at tables adorned with sparkling golden globes topped with white doves--a tribute to the gala’s theme of international harmony. Dinner included consomme de polard, a salad of exotic greens with jumbo prawns and an entree duet of filet mignon and salmon on a bed of dill sauce.

Dessert was served with pomp and circumstance befitting the occasion. The lights were lowered, and six waiters carried out trays of baked Alaska illuminated by glowing light sticks and surrounded by a mist made from dry ice. As the desserts were presented, the Gary Tole Orchestra played “It’s a Small World.”

“This is a celebration of friendship,” said Eve Foussard, ball chairwoman.

Citizen Diplomats

The protocol foundation was founded 10 years ago to foster business relationships between Orange County and the rest of the world. Last year the foundation hosted 290 dignitaries from 56 countries.

“(Orange County is) the 26th economic unit in the world--the focus is on us internationally,” said Richards, who as a citizen diplomat has entertained a crown prince in his home and escorted the vice president of Argentina around the county.

“We’re on the cutting edge of a county (conducting) international relations.”

Orange County Supervisor Harriett Wieder received the Citizen Diplomat Award from Richards for starting the protocol office and foundation.

“We have 40% of Orange County (companies) doing business overseas. Don’t you think it’s time we grow up?” Wieder said.

The office introduces dignitaries to the county and helps local businesses arrange contacts with international companies.

“They’ve been very helpful,” said Kurt Welte, Swiss consul general and acting dean of the consular corps. “We know where to go to make that first contact.”

Among the guests were Gayle Anderson, chief of protocol; Annemaria Ballin, first president of the Protocol Foundation; Carl and Pat Neisser, vice president of the foundation; Zee Allred, Thomas and Margie Gephart, Dan and Carole Green, Sir Eldon and Lady Betty Griffiths, Jerry Harrington, Joe and Ethel Hunt, Dennis Ku, Gerald and Shana Larsen, Bee Lavery and William Murphy, Bob and Patricia Marshall, Len and Mary Ann Miller, Irving and Julia Rappaport, Elaine Redfield, Gail Robson, Wolf and Ann Stern, Jim and Mary Thompson and Sultan Hadji Amirullah Sy Mangelen.