office* launches PA Contributor of the Year Award 2014
To celebrate this year’s National PA Day, office* – the UK’s biggest two day event for the PA, secretarial, and executive support community, will announce the winner of its new PA Contributor of the Year Award on Tuesday 7 October at London’s Olympia.
Launched to reward the significant business contributions made by the UK’s PA professionals, the award – which is open for nominations until Friday 19 September – will recognise the hard-work, innovation, and dedication of the talented individuals, who are championing the PA role in the UK today.
Since the call for nominations opened for the inaugural award last month, office*’s organiser Diversified Communications UK has received over a hundred entries from (and for) individuals based all across the UK.
The message from office*’s event manager David Maguire is simple. Since there is no shortlist for the PA Contributor of the Year Award, it’s important to “make sure that your vote counts”.
“The PA Contributor of the Year Award is a fantastic opportunity for the PA and executive support community to come together to recognise and celebrate the contributions of its members. And in doing so, identify that one truly influential and inspirational figure that has really made a difference over the last 12 months.”
“Your own nominee might be an exceptional mentor, or a colleague that’s set up an invaluable network, or someone from a particular magazine, club, association or group, who has been a guiding light in your career. I urge all office* supporters, exhibitors and visitors to take a few minutes to fill in the nomination form online today and make sure that your vote counts,” says Maguire.
Entry/nomination forms are available to complete online atwww.officeshow.co.uk/national-pa-day/vote-for-the-pa-contributor-of-the-year. A brief supporting statement is required for all entries. The deadline for submitting nominations is midnight on Friday 19 September.
The winner will be named on National PA Day 2014, with further details available in the official office* show guide.
PAs prepare to celebrate National PA Day at office*
As in previous years, thousands of PAs will descend on London on 7 October to celebrate National PA Day at office*. The day will also see the launch of the results of the latest National PA Survey, which is now in its fourth year.
According to The Professional Association for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (PAFSA), which has declared 2014 the International Year of the Secretary and Assistant (IYOTSA), around a fifth of the world’s working population is employed in administration. However, there is often a significant difference between how people perceive the PA role (particularly around qualifications and career aspirations) and what it actually entails. The aim of IYOTSA, and campaigns like the UK’s National PA Day, is to recognise and promote the achievements of PAs. Helping to raise the profile of the role of a PA as a profession, not just a job.
To mark the countdown to this year’s National PA Day, office* asked some top-level PAs and EAs what they liked best about their role.
Victoria Darragh, executive assistant at Hays Plc:
“We all say the variety of the role and that is the crunch point for most PAs, being able to get involved in different facets of the business and feel like you are making a contribution, rather than a conveyor belt of diary entries and travel. It’s about being able to manage the strategic priorities of your Director and delivering what is required to the best of your ability. I love the satisfaction I get from managing a project or event well.”
Leeanne Graham, PA to the CEO at Starlight Children's Foundation – UK (winner of the Executive PA Magazine | Hays PA of the year award 2013):
“I have ended up doing a lot more than the ‘standard’ role. I have become an expert in IT and telecoms. I know how to fix sinks and have become the resident handywoman. I like being that person that people can come to for absolutely anything. Getting the job done, and knowing that my boss doesn’t realise half the things I do to make their working life run smoothly.”
Laura Ahmed, executive assistant to chief executive and chairman at ELEXON:
“I love the way that in a PA role you work alongside people that are business leaders and at the very top of your company – so you’re constantly working closely with inspirational people that you can learn from and that can help you flourish; you can influence these people in your role as a PA, so it is a very important role. My advice for anyone that is new to this exciting profession is to never think of yourself as ‘just an assistant’. Recognise the value that can be added in the PA role, see the influence you can have, and remember to trust your judgement – take initiative!”
Debs Eden, support team manager and assistant to managing partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP (winner of the 2007 Executive PA Magazine PA of the Year):
“I’ve had a long career (30 years), and technology is probably the biggest change in the role. But I’ve also seen immense changes in the way companies do business. Companies are more ambitious, our bosses are better qualified, and more dynamic, and I’ve got access to so many more opportunities. The PA role is now seen as a career rather than a job, and I like the variety, the challenges, and the opportunities that brings.”
Victoria Darragh, Leeanne Graham, Laura Ahmed, and Debs Eden – along with Bethany Fovargue (co-founder of the Peterborough PA Network), Emma Kernan Staines (Senior PA at The Football Association), celebrity PAs Josephine Green and Merryl Futerman (founders of PA Access All Areas), and Angela Dawson (The Admin Doctor and The VA Doctor) – have all been confirmed to facilitate the office*’s new Hot Topic Roundtable discussions. Topics range from networking to addressing workplace bullying, from mentoring to asking for a pay rise.
To register for a free entry ticket to office* on 7-8 October at London’s Olympia, please visit www.officeshow.co.uk and use priority code OFF402 when prompted (alternatively, use the direct link: http://www.eventdata.co.uk/Visitor/Office14.aspx?TrackingCode=OFF402).
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Media enquiries & press pass requests:
Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
Editorial representatives of relevant trade and consumer media (including freelancers) are invited to apply for press passes to office* by email to ejones@divcom.co.uk. Please note, additional details may be requested to verify journalistic activity and all press passes are issued at the management’s discretion.
t: 44 (0)1273 645134 e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.divcom.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiversifiedUK
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5009585
office* exhibitor enquiries:
David Maguire, office* Event Manager
t: 44 (0)1273 645127 e: dmaguire@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.officeshow.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/officeshow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/office/116716991701373
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3319575
Notes:
office* was shortlisted for ‘Best UK Trade Show Exhibition (under 2,000m2)’ at the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards in both 2013 and 2014.
High resolution imagery is available upon request:
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http://www.officeshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Margaret-Mountford.jpg
http://www.officeshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Heather-Melville.jpg
http://www.officeshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Martine-Wright.jpg
http://www.officeshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Vicky-Silverthorn.jpg
Diversified Communications UK (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton, Peterborough, Leamington Spa, and Nailsworth, Glos. In addition to office*, Diversified UK’s portfolio includes SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; ServiceDesk360; Casual Dining; Natural & Organic Products Europe; Natural and Organic Awards; Nordic Organic Food Fair & Natural Products Scandinavia in Malmö, Sweden; camexpo; Natural Products magazine; Natural Beauty Yearbook; Ocean Business (including Offshore Survey Conference & Ocean Careers); OceanBuzz; MARELEC Marine Electromagnetics conference (in Philadelphia, USA); Euro Bus Expo; Coach and Bus Live; Best of Britain & Ireland; The Route One Operator Excellence Awards; The National Coach Tourism Awards; Route One magazine; and Coach Monthly. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.
Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company providing market access, education and information through global, national and regional face-to-face events, eMedia, publications and television stations. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine, and business management. Based in Portland, Maine, USA, Diversified employs over 800 staff, with divisions in the Eastern United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com
Separations charge: Please email all offers to the show’s marketing manager at rwebb@divcom.co.uk. Please do not phone.
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