A big step toward increasing the group's importance came at last year's meeting in Seattle, when the heads of state were invited for the first time.

One executive said it did not appear that the heads of the smaller regional municipal bond firms were being invited.

The striking residence is known as the Irish White House and every notable visiting head of state is invited to plant a tree in the grounds.

At Mr. Ramos's request, heads of state were not invited.

Participants from other parishes and at times even the feudal heads of state were also invited to these Marksmen's Courts (Schützenhöfe).

At the Summit, many heads of State were invited to the International Conference on Financing for Development.

The heads of the four major branches were formally invited to the Darbars and other special events held by The British Raj.

The heads of state of all the countries in the world are being invited to come to the United Nations for that celebration.

Often the heads themselves were ceremonially 'invited' to join the tribe as members, where they were supposed to watch over the tribe and keep them safe.

No foreign heads of state, special envoys or even resident ambassadors were invited.