We are thrilled to extend an invitation to you for our forthcoming International Conference for Administrative Professionals to be held from 19th to 25th of October 2025 at Radisson Blue Hotel (Dubai).
Our conference offers an unparalleled opportunity for assistants to gain insights from a diverse array of seasoned professionals and leading practitioners. They will delve into the latest trends, and innovative ideas, and acquire practical skills essential for navigating the multifaceted demands of their daily roles. Today’s assistant is the business partner of executives and leaders, one who knows that colleagues and clients need superb results delivered in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Through our holistic 360° educational conference, we help assistants reach their “Professional and Personal Peak” – the point at which they attain their strongest, most successful, and most fully developed selves and consistently perform at their highest effectiveness. Our sessions go beyond technical training, offering life-changing strategies and sound guidance to elevate attitudes and advance a growth mindset. Take your performance to the next level. Deliver your best work performed by your best self.
Who is it for…
The conference is designed to provide valuable insights and knowledge for Assistants, Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Coordinators, Office Managers, Administrative Professionals and Secretaries at the same time offering you the opportunity to connect with other colleagues, network with industry leaders, and gain new knowledge and skills to help you excel in your role.
You will learn how to…
- Explore the attributes that make an effective EA leader and ways to develop those qualities
- Discover the key strategies for running effective meetings
- Add value and make an impact in meetings
- Elevate your influence and learn the art of executive presence
- Identify common obstacles to high team performance and learn strategies through team building.
- Get tangible skills on improving your mental health
- Create a resilient mindset, regardless of the circumstances
- Navigate the complexities of event logistics and vendor collaboration
- Build a Strong Network
Topics lined-up…
- Leadership Principles for Administrative Team Leads and EA Managers
- Strategic Visibility & Influence for EAs – Executive Presence
- Revolutionizing Admin Roles with AI + Tech
- VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) – Navigating the VUCA Environment
- The Customer-Centric Assistant
- Strategically managing relationships & the expectations of your stakeholders
- Mastering Business Strategy for Administrative Professionals
- Improving Performance with Emotional Intelligence
- Conflict Resolution Strategies, Negotiation & Communication Skills
Activities lined-up…
- Dubai City Tour – including (Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Gold Souk, Spice Souk in Old Dubai)
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
- Desert Safari with Barbeque Dinner & Entertainment show (Belly Dance, Fire and Tanoura Show)
- Dune Bashing, Quad biking, Camel Rides
- Dhow Dinner Cruise
- Team building
- Swimming at Jumeirah Beach
Cost of Attending…
Early Bird Rate: (Pay by 30 April)
Platinum (Incl Return Flight to Harare): »»USD 2,985.00
Regular Rate: (01 May – 29 August)
Platinum (Incl Return Flight to Harare): »»USD 3,135.00
Late Rate: (30 August – 10 October)
Platinum (Incl Return Flight to Harare): »»USD 3,285.00
NB: All packages cover; return economy flights and transfers, Dubai visa plus insurance, 5 nights 4” accommodation, all meals, conferencing and course slides, activities and certificates.
Discounts…
- 5% Corporate Discount for 5 or more bookings from the same organisation.
- 10% Membership Discount for students/ members of the Administrative Assistants Academy – become a student/ member and enjoy this membership benefit and many more!
To make your bookings (our banking details) …
Pay to our bank account; (Administrative Assistants Academy, Stanbic Bank (Msasa Branch), USD Account #: 9140006044394) and confirm by emailing your booking form and proof of payment.
We look forward to warmly welcoming you to the International Conference for Administrative Professionals.
Yours faithfully
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS’ ACADEMY
Tafadzwa Mawanga
Training Coordinator
Call: +263717077927, +263789732986
Email: admin@adminassistantsac.com
Detailed Course Outline
1. Leadership Principles for Administrative Team Leads and EA Managers
What skills do you need to step into a lead role as a Team Lead or EA Manager successfully? More importantly, what do admins need from their team lead or EA Manager? Get ready to level-up those leadership skills and focus on how to influence and inspire the performance of team members. You’ll explore the attributes that make an effective EA leader and ways to develop those qualities. Learn the difference between personal power and positional power, and how to find pockets of authority within the team lead/manager role. Identify specific policies and managerial knowledge that are essentials for EA managers.
You will walk away knowing how to:
Discover the thinking traps that can sabotage leaders and destroy trust.
Understand the true meaning of personal empowerment and strategies to develop it.
What are the top 5 qualities assistants want to see in a team lead or manager.
Learn the 10 questions every EA should ask themselves before considering the team lead or manager role.
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what specific skills and qualities are needed to succeed as an EA Team Lead or manager. We will review the elements of a leadership mindset and the importance of critical thinking and empowerment.
You will get the most of this session if you:
Are interested in being a team lead or step into an EA manager role. The session will also benefit those assistants who are already in those roles but seeking to be more effective leaders.
2. The Customer-Centric Assistant
Service orientation and customer service are the skills on the rise named by the World Economic Forum. A core field where assistants have served in for decades. Assistants nowadays are not just gatekeepers or schedulers; they are pivotal in shaping the customer experience, often from behind the scenes. But what does it truly mean to be a customer-centric assistant? How can assistants, in their unique positions, become the champions of customer satisfaction? Through this talk, we will uncover the essence of a customer-first approach and explore how the subtleties of your role can make a substantial impact on client relationships and, ultimately, our company’s success.
3. Strategic Visibility & Influence for EAs – Executive Presence
Life beyond the covid era is not the same as it was before. The rules have changed. Being invisible or behind the scenes is not in your best interest. Others can’t value what they don’t see. We need to step up and step forward into our own future. Are we operating as business partners? Are we valued and valuable to our organizations? The world of work has changed, and we need to change with it. Now is the time for us to embrace all the opportunities this new world of work offers and step into our future. By being strategic, you can guarantee your own success. By taking control of how others see you and what you offer, you can step into the role you were meant to have. You can control your destiny, but only if you know how. We will share the secrets to strategically changing your visibility and strategically influencing your executives and coworkers.
4. Improving Performance with Emotional Intelligence
Fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence
Self-Awareness: The Key to Emotional Intelligence
Develop Strategies for Different Personality Types – Personality Profiling
Develop Strategies for Responding to the Emotions of Others
Demonstrating Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Apply Emotional Intelligence to your Company’s Culture
Demonstrate Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
5. Conflict Resolution Strategies, Negotiation & Communication Skills
Conflict and Context: Why Disputes Are Needed
Communication and Leadership: The Personal Dimension – Emotional Intelligence: Knowing You, Knowing Me
Problem Solving and Negotiation: Getting to Yes
Introduction to Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA)
Conflict Resolution Techniques: Exploration of various conflict resolution strategies.
Effective Communication in Conflict: Learning assertiveness and active listening.
Role Play Activity: Practical application of conflict resolution strategies and communication skills.
Case Study Analysis: Examining the application of resolution strategies in a real-world scenario.
Building Positive Interpersonal Relationships & Action Planning
Fostering Positive Relationships: Strategies to build and maintain harmonious relationships.
Action Planning: Developing individualized plans for applying learned conflict management strategies.
Group Activity: Collaborative exercise to apply relationship-building strategies.
Case Study Discussion: Reflection on fostering positive relationships in a conflict scenario.
Case Studies Included:
a. Interdepartmental Conflict: Analysing a scenario involving conflicts between different departments and exploring resolution strategies.
b. Employee-Employee Conflict: Understanding the dynamics of peer-to-peer conflict and applying appropriate resolution techniques.
c. Manager-Employee Conflict: Examining conflicts involving power dynamics and exploring resolution strategies.
6. VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) -Navigating the VUCA Environment
Training Outline
Defining VUCA Leadership
VUCA in the modern context and its implications for leadership.
Emotional intelligence and self-awareness in VUCA leadership.
Managing change and expectations in multi-generational teams.
From Volatility to Vision
Understanding and addressing volatility in teams and organizations.
Leadership strategies to navigate volatility.
Building trust and rapport, leading teams to a compelling vision.
From Uncertainty to Understanding
Analysing factors contributing to uncertainty.
Enhancing team dynamics and understanding through communication.
From Complexity to Clarity
Strategies to navigate complexity in business operations.
Employing the RACI matrix for role definition and responsibility allocation.
Creative thinking and problem-solving to promote clarity.
From Ambiguity to Agility
Differentiating between ambiguity and agility in leadership.
Leading agile teams and fostering organizational agility.
VUCA Transformation
Proactive versus reactive approaches to VUCA situations.
Leveraging data analytics in VUCA leadership transformation.
7. Mastering Business Strategy for Assistants
Unlock the essence of being a truly strategic Executive Assistant by mastering two critical dimensions.
First, dive into the art of aligning with your organisations and executive’s goals and KPIs, forging a collaborative partnership where your administrative expertise complements their leadership vision. Strategic EAs don’t just think strategically – they act decisively, working in lockstep with their executives to achieve shared objectives, rather than waiting for direction.
Second, explore the power of managing your executive strategically. This means anticipating needs, proactively offering solutions, adding tangible value, and optimizing their time to ensure every moment – and every dollar of their salary – delivers maximum impact.
Key Learning Points
How Executive Assistants can boost executives’ productivity
Becoming the Indispensable Management Business Partner
You are not ‘just an admin’ – becoming a strategic management partner
Key PA/EA’s quality in the new normal: Resilience
Why some assistants make it, and some don’t?
The power of professional networking – everyone can do it!
What matters in the new world of work, for employers and recruiters
Demonstrate your Worth at the workplace
8. Projecting Impact: The Role of Project Management in Sustainable Event and Vendor Relations
Embark on a transformative journey and delve into the intricate world of sustainable event and vendor relations through the lens of project management. In this dynamic session, participants will explore how strategic project management principles can elevate events and vendor partnerships.
Discover the strategic intersection of sustainability and project precision, gaining insights into how executive assistants can play a pivotal role in crafting impactful and lasting relationships. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, attendees will learn to navigate the complexities of event logistics and vendor collaboration.
Key Takeaways:
Holistic Project Planning: Uncover the art of comprehensive project planning, ensuring that sustainability is woven into every aspect of event management and vendor relations.
Effective Communication Strategies: Learn communication techniques that bridge the gap between EAs, vendors, and event stakeholders, fostering collaboration and understanding for sustainable outcomes.
Measurable Impact Metrics: Acquire tools to measure and analyze the impact of sustainable practices on events and vendor relationships, enabling data-driven decision-making for future endeavors, and positioning EAs as invaluable business partners.
9. Revolutionizing Admin Roles with AI + Tech
Join us for an exhilarating workshop focused on AI and tech innovation, designed specifically for administrative professionals. Dive deep into the art of harnessing the latest AI and tech advancements to revolutionize your problem-solving skills. This session will immerse you in a world brimming with untapped potential, showcasing how the newest tech tools can turn everyday administrative challenges into avenues for efficiency and professional growth. You’ll leave not only equipped but also inspired to integrate these avant-garde solutions, transforming your approach to technology in problem-solving and elevating your workflow to new heights of productivity.
Participants will learn how to:
Simplify everyday tasks: Uncover time-saving features and functions within Microsoft 365 applications to streamline your workload and boost productivity.
Execute tasks more efficiently using tips, tricks, and best practices for creating, collaborating, analyzing, automating, and executing within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem to maximize your impact in your role, focus on high-value tasks, and achieve more with less effort.
Work smarter and grow smarter: Implement innovative strategies to promote a growth mindset and adopt new ways of working that align with your professional development goals.
Master and enhance collaboration: Explore efficient collaboration techniques using Microsoft 365 applications to improve communication and teamwork across your organization.
Leverage analytics and automation: Learn how to utilize analytics and automation features within Microsoft 365 to make informed decisions and automate repetitive tasks
