Administrative Professionals Week

Administrative Professionals Week^® ―Always observed annually during the last full week in April, standard Sunday through Saturday calendar week.

April 20-26, 2008
April 19-25, 2009
April 18-24, 2010
April 24-30, 2011
April 22-28, 2012

Administrative Professionals Day^® ―Observed annually on the Wednesday of Administrative Professionals Week.

April 23, 2008
April 22, 2009
April 21, 2010
April 27, 2011
April 25, 2012

Event History and Objectives

This annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers. It was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers.

In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation.

IAAP suggests that employers observe Administrative

Professionals Week by providing training for their administrative staff through seminars, continuing education or self-study materials. Another suggestion is to make a commitment toward delegating responsibilities that better utilize the skills of administrative professionals.
Click here for a more detailed history.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department

of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

2008 Administrative Professionals Week Theme: FORWARD MOVING

The "Forward Moving" theme denotes how career-minded administrative professionals are positioning themselves for success in today's ever-changing business environment by mastering advanced office technology, continually honing their communication skills, forging collaborative relationships with managers and coworkers, and taking charge of their own career development.

Administrative Professionals Week Commemorative Pin

Each year, the Host Committee for the annual IAAP International Convention and Education Forum offers a special Administrative Professionals Week commemorative lapel pin for sale as a fundraiser to offset expenses involved in hosting our international convention.

The lapel pins are $5 each (U.S. funds only; shipping and handling extra-- see link to order form below). Wearing this pin during Administrative Professionals Week is an excellent "conversation starter" and a great way to support your profession and association. A printable order form is available here

Use the IAAP Chapter Locator to find contact information for IAAP chapters nearest you.

The 2008 Live Briefing is now available for satellite or web viewing only to IAAP members and companies who purchased the event in 2006 or 2007. No other audiences may purchase it at this time - it remains a part of the Admin Channel video library accessed by subscription.

Everyone in the audience will also receive a 30-day access to the Admin Channel at no cost. International President Judy McCoy CPS/CAP will open the program with a welcome and introduce the presenters. Pricing is based on the number of participants and includes a reproducible handout master and everything you need for an exceptional APW event, including recertification credit. Your member ID will be needed when registering. For more information and instructions on registering, visit:
http://iaap-hq.org/apw/2008_briefing_overview.htm.

For more information:
An Evolution of Duties -- Comparison Shows How Administrative Support Role Has Expanded