Article from Tulsa World newspaper, Tulsa, Oklahoma (also syndicated to Miami Herald).

Excellent publicity for Tulsa-area APW event sponsored by IAAP Summit, Tulsa and Will Rogers chapters.  Christine Hilderbrand of Tulsa Chapter interviewed; excellent use of information from IAAP news releases.

Office Personnel Due Week of Recognition This Month

By Debbie Blossom, Tulsa World, Okla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Apr. 8 - Ask administrative assistant Christine Hilderbrand to describe her job, and the response is somewhat vague.

"I do a little bit of everything," said the 21-year veteran of Citgo Petroleum Corp.

Like the 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants and 8.9 million administrative support employees nationwide, Hilderbrand is a jack of all trades whose skills go far beyond typing letters, answering the phone and filing.

To recognize Hilderbrand's profession and its contribution to the workplace, the International Association of Administrative Professionals since 1952 has put an annual weeklong spotlight on office support personnel.

This year, Administrative Professionals Week is April 18-24, with April 21 designated as Administrative Professionals Day.

Hilderbrand will take part in an event sponsored by the three local IAAP chapters -- a networking luncheon and educational seminar April 20 at the Hilton Southern Hills, 7902 S. Lewis Ave.

Scheduled speakers include Dallas-based Chris Thorson, representing office supply company Avery Dennison, and Sandy Hunter, a Tulsan representing Office Team. Thorson's presentation is "Let's Get Organized," and Hunter will speak on "Your Road Map to Success."

The event costs $30 and is open to the public. Advanced reservations are required, and the registration deadline is April 15.

The three local IAAP chapters -- Summit, Tulsa and Will Rogers -- are co-sponsoring the event for the third year, Hilderbrand said.

The 2004 theme, "Ambassadors of Excellence," aptly signifies that administrative professionals are key representatives for their employers, said Sheila Brownfield, president of IAAP.

Administrative Professionals Week originally was called Professional Secretaries Week, but the name was changed in 2000 to more adequately reflect evolutions within the profession.

Today, administrative assistants are likely to manage all the information and communications systems for a department or office. They may design newsletters, create Web sites and build spreadsheets. They often are the computer gurus whom everyone turns to for technical support.

Administrative professionals research and manage projects, produce and edit documents and reports on computer software programs, and supervise and train other employees.

Technology has expanded the office support role into an information management career, the IAAP says. Keeping up with tech trends and new software applications has become the profession's biggest challenge.

Hilderbrand says membership in the 30-year-old Tulsa IAAP chapter has provided everything from technical support to lifelong friendships. Members also have the benefit of continuing-education programs and certification classes.

"The networking and the educational opportunities -- that's the best thing about being in IAAP," she said. "And the seminars on topics on all aspects of the job, from accounting to business law."

The IAAP's goal is to educate the public about the profession's expanding role, encourage people to consider administrative careers and promote learning, certification and professional development.

Registration for the April 20 gathering begins at 11:15 a.m., and the lunch and program start at 11:45. For information or to register, participants should contact Janet Swanson at 925-6682 or 272-3603.

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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.