Arranging a Special Event/Reception
Office of the Sergeant at Arms
Special Events/Protocol
Room H-124 U.S. Capitol
Phone: 225-2456
Fax: 225-3233
The Office of Special Events/Protocol is responsible for coordinating logistics for all major events taking place in the Capitol and House Office Buildings, as well as off-site events involving delegations of Members of the House of Representatives. Furthermore, the office works with Member offices and outside organizations with their events such as receptions, conferences, and exhibitions.
Additionally, the Office of Special Events/Protocol is responsible for the coordination of arrivals, activities, and departures of foreign dignitaries, high ranking foreign delegations, V.I.P.s, and other protected persons visiting the House portion of the Capitol complex. This responsibility includes advising the bipartisan leadership and other Members, as well as the committee and personal staff, on all matters of protocol pertinent to the visit. Coordination involves working directly with embassies, the White House, the Department of State and other government agencies, individual offices of the VIPs, the U.S. Secret Service, Diplomatic Security, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
No events are conducted without a Congressional sponsor. Any and all assistance and logistical support from the Sergeant at Arms office is extended only upon the request of the sponsoring Member, not outside organizations.
Prior to the event or reception, either the Member's office or the outside organization working on the event must provide the Sergeant at Arms office with a list of attendees for the event. The list should indicate date, time, location of event/reception and title of event/reception, contact name and phone number of organizers (outside organization), and contact name and phone number of sponsoring Member of Congress. The most accessible door for visitors to the Capitol is the Document Door, which is open until 11:00 p.m.
All deliveries for events in the Capitol and House Office Buildings must be screened by security. The U.S. Capitol Police off-site delivery inspection center should be utilized for this purpose if the delivery occurs during their operating hours (6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). The number for off-site is x6-0905. Drivers should allow a extra time to go to the off-site inspection center. For delivery to the Capitol at other times, all deliveries must go through the North Barricade off Constitution Avenue. Deliveries to the Rayburn, Longworth, and Cannon buildings should be arranged by contacting and consulting the Sergeant at Arms office at x5-2456. Deliveries to these buildings are not required to go to off-site.
Catering and vendor staff requiring after- or pre- hours access to the Capitol and House Office Buildings must be on a building access list provided by the Member's office and faxed to the Sergeant at Arms office at x5-3233. This list should include persons needing access from the caterer or company.
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