www.iaap-hq.org
International Association of Administrative Professionals
World Headquarters, Kansas City, Missouri
E-mail: prcommunications@iaap-hq.org
Phone: 816.891.6600 ext. 2239

NEWS RELEASE
Administrative Professionals Weekâ –  April 23-29, 2006
Administrative Professionals Dayâ –  Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Administrative Professionals Week Events Focus on “Creating Excellence”

Members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) will focus attention on the vital role of administrative support staff in today's business environment and the importance of continuing education and training during the 54th annual observance of Administrative Professionals Week April 23-29, 2006. Administrative Professionals Day is Wednesday, April 26.  The theme for the 2006 observance is "Creating Excellence."

“Administrative professionals have always been valuable assets to their employers," said Kay Enlow CPS/CAP, 2005-2006 president of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).   "In today's high tech, fast-paced workplaces, they perform vital roles as communications hubs, office organizers, problem solvers, and contributors on project teams.  They are ‘creating excellence’ every day by taking pride in doing quality work and in their efforts to upgrade their knowledge and skills through continuing education and training. Administrative Professionals Week is an opportunity for employers to recognize the workplace contributions of administrative staff and support their professional development."

Many of the nearly 600 local IAAP chapters will hold a variety of professional development and networking events in their communities.  Typical activities include networking events or educational workshops with program topics such as effective communication, office technology trends, career development planning, and more.  A full listing of local IAAP chapter events is available on the IAAP Web site,  www.iaap-hq.org/APW/apwindex.htm.  Many employers also hold group recognition events and/or professional development programs. Individual managers commonly give gifts of appreciation to their administrative support staff.

One of the largest national training events is Targeted Learning Corporation's 19th Annual Briefing for Administrative Professionals, a live satellite conference and webcast to be held on Administrative Professionals Day, April 26. The 2006 event is entitled, “Fast Forward: Managing Change and Creating Opportunities for Success." Featured speakers are Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and Jackie Freiberg, author of Nuts! Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success.  IAAP International President Kay Enlow CPS/CAP will also participate as a presenter.

Administrative Professionals Week has been observed annually since 1952 and is one of the largest workplace observances. IAAP is the originator and sponsor of Administrative Professionals Week.

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For more information, visit the Administrative Professionals Week page on the website of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP): www.iaap-hq.org/APW/apwindex.htm.