The 30th Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence – The Multidimensional Assistant

The energy was palpable as we delved into day one of our sessions. Joan Burge initiated proceedings by explaining the essence of a multidimensional assistant and highlighting the trends that demand administrative professionals embrace their multifaceted nature. Diana Brandl, in a two-part session, shared core skills essential for future-proofing one’s career in the administrative field, drawing from her own experiences. During lunch at T-Bones Chophouse, we introduced a new addition to our conference history: the Career Coaching Corner, sponsored by Robert Half, with slots that quickly filled up. Attendees had the opportunity to receive personalized coaching tailored to their goals in different time slots.

After lunch, we concluded the day’s sessions with three more remarkable speakers. Tess Vismale showcased the top productivity apps in the administrative profession, guiding attendees through their use. William Arruda urged audience members to build their professional brand in the digital landscape, emphasizing its importance in our modern age. We closed the day with Cody Byrns, who shared his inspiring journey as a burn victim, captivating the audience with a message of hope and resilience.

Throughout the entire conference, our incredible sponsors, The Hampton Chocolate Factory, were stationed at their table outside the main ballroom doors, giving attendees a taste of their incredible chocolates. Led by co-owners Austin and Grant Gappelberg, their professionalism and quality of service took the entire conference to a new level. Three of our lucky attendees were gifted with baskets of their finest chocolates, and each VIP attendee took home a special welcome gift with tasty treats as well. We can’t say enough how honored we were to have them and how special they made the entire event.

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Later in the evening, Joan hosted her signature VIP party, welcoming all attendees who had been part of the conference for 5+ years. With familiar faces and newcomers, guests gathered at Joan’s Halloween-themed party at her home. The evening was exceptionally meaningful, filled with catered snacks as attendees sat around a fire in Joan’s backyard. It felt like a gathering of close friends as assistants shared their favorite memories of Joan and expressed why the conference was so special to them. Cody Byrns even joined the party, adding to the evening’s specialness!

Day 3: Sessions Continue And The Golden Gala

Thursday kicked off with another day filled with exceptional sessions. Sandy Geroux had everyone laughing and singing as she transformed Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman!” into a version for administrative assistants. With high spirits, she took to the stage, engaging with the audience and sharing her insights from the administrative field on how assistants can transition from being indispensable to invaluable, emphasizing the significance of this difference. After a brief break for attendees to explore The Office Dynamics Success Store, which featured office materials and presenter books, Starla West delivered a powerful session. She showed attendees how to delve into their emotions, gain self-awareness of their subconscious, and influence their behaviors positively.

Diana Brandl returned for the second part of her session, diving deeper into the mindset, skillset, and toolset needed for excellence in the administrative profession. The day concluded with two outstanding speakers. Mike Song, who stepped in at the last minute to speak at the event, impressed the audience with tips on digital dexterity, demonstrating how to maximize tech tools for increased efficiency in the administrative field. Questions flowed endlessly! This session served as a fantastic lead-in to our upcoming course with him, “Digital Efficiency for Administrative Excellence.” Thursday’s sessions ended with Nada Lena Nasserdeen, who delivered practical tips for being seen, heard, and remaining relevant, boosting audience confidence.

Later that evening, as is the tradition every Thursday night at the conference, we celebrated the Joan Burge Gala. This year, in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Conference, we chose “The Golden Gala” as the theme, exuding glamour and sophistication. While everyone dressed their best (including our very own ODI team members), the evening transformed into a lively party! JJ Villar and his company, Feel The Music Entertainment, led an incredible night of dancing and music, featuring special performances by professional dancers Rodrigo Guzman and Céline Franco. The venue featured a 360-degree photo booth, step and repeat, light bites, two bars, and elegant decor. Dance battles ensued, Joan showcased her dance moves, and DJ A-Plus (Rodney William Munnings) kept the energy alive throughout the night.

Day 4: The Grand Finale

Friday had a bittersweet atmosphere, marking the conclusion of a wonderful conference. Yet, there were still exciting events to unfold in the next four hours. The day began with Joan presenting the 5th-ever Joan Burge Innovation Award to Susan Schultz of Procter & Gamble. Susan had spearheaded the development of innovative EA strategies at Procter & Gamble, including the establishment of the first-ever Executive Assistant College within the company.