The 31st Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence – The Influential Assistant

The conference opened with energy and was led by Director of Entertainment JJ Villar, who encouraged attendees to step outside their comfort zones and make a few dance moves. Lisa Olsen then started on leading all three days of sessions by emceeing the event as she always brilliantly (and hilariously) does. Joan Burge set the tone with a powerful talk about the influence administrative professionals wield. She emphasized how these professionals serve as the conduits for delivering vital messages. Joan reminded attendees that being concise and choosing the appropriate communication medium are vital components influencing the flow of information. She also brought in an actual throne, which attendees posed on throughout the conference. She discussed the symbolism a throne has regarding influence and how to apply that metaphor to our lives. Next, Chrissy Scivicque explored decision-making, urging participants to avoid cognitive traps like being swayed by others’ opinions or getting stuck in analysis paralysis. She quoted her father’s advice: “You are one decision away from a completely different life.” Chrissy also reminded everyone that excellent decision-making often requires accepting ambiguity and that growth comes from making mistakes. Chrissy also guided the Career Coaching Corner throughout the conference, giving expert advice to each attendee who signed up for a personal, one-on-one career coaching session. Cherron Castillo followed with a session on influence in leadership, highlighting that good and bad individuals can have power. She outlined three key traits that set influential leaders apart: communication, emotional intelligence, and persuasiveness. Her powerful statement, “Leadership is all about influence—nothing more, nothing less,” resonated deeply with the audience. The day’s interactive highlight was the team-building session featuring the MeetMax games. Attendees participated in a virtual horse race, fostering collaboration and showcasing team-building strategies in a fun and competitive environment. Madelyn Mackie took the stage to discuss how the administrative profession rapidly evolves, particularly with the rise of AI and virtual meetings. Her message was clear: to remain valuable in the workforce, administrative professionals must continuously develop their strategic plans, personal brands, and networks. She encouraged attendees to embrace the changes coming their way. Maureen Zappala wrapped up the day with a powerful talk on overcoming imposter syndrome, especially during times of transition. She reminded the audience that it’s not a lack of confidence that holds them back but rather a limit of confidence. She described the different types of imposter syndrome and emphasized that growth happens in small steps, not giant leaps. The evening, they concluded with Joan’s VIP event, a special gathering for attendees who had attended the conference five or more times. This intimate, fireside gathering at Joan’s home fostered deep connections, allowing VIPs to share personal stories and strengthen relationships that will last a lifetime.