Secret Service agents were already on the scene as the US consul in Belfast ran through the itinerary for the visit of their boss, President Clinton, to the North.
Ms Kai Fort was briefing the press in Belfast's new £93 million Odyssey arena and ice rink. The arena will be the focal point for Mr Clinton's stay in Belfast. It is here that he will give his keynote address to an audience of 7,000.
As the agents in their trademark trenchcoats took in the view at the edge of the ice, Ms Fort said the President would not speak at length. "We want people to enjoy it," she said.
Mr Clinton will arrive in Belfast late on Tuesday evening. He is expected to stay at the new Hilton Hotel. On Wednesday morning he will travel to Stormont where he will meet the British Prime Minister, Assembly members and party leaders.
Earlier speculation that he might address the Assembly has come to naught. Speculation is that it was not attempted for fear that some members might be less than welcoming.
While her husband is at Stormont, Senator Hillary Clinton is expected to meet leading women in business and politics in the Grand Opera House. Both her daughter, Chelsea, and her mother, Mrs Dorothy Rodham, will be with her.
Ms Fort said that after his talks at Stormont, due to last until about 1 p.m., Mr Clinton would "take a break" before going to the Odyssey Centre, where he will give his speech at about 3.30 p.m.
Mr Clinton will leave from the City Airport for London, and from there to Chequers where he will visit Mr Blair.
On Thursday he is to have an audience with Queen Elizabeth before travelling to Warwick University to give a talk on the challenges the world faces over the next decade.
Ms Fort expects him to use his time in Belfast to stress the progress that has been made in the peace process.
"I think that he will emphasise the American government's continued support, not only for the Good Friday agreement and the political process it involves but for the people of Northern Ireland as they make the decisions on how to implement that agreement," she said.
"I think he will want to remind people . . . just how far people have progressed here."