EA Summit Schedule by Day

(7:00 am – 8:30 am) PACE Registration. Beverages available for attendees. Breakfast is on your own.

(8:00 am – 9:15 am) Module 1 Review: Interpersonal Communication

(9:15 am – 9:30 am) Beverage Break

(9:30 am – 10:45 am) Module 2 Review: Task and Project Management

(10:45 am – 11:00 am) Rest Break

(11:00 pm – 12:15 pm) Module 4 Review: Internet and Computer Skills

(12:15 pm – 1:30 pm)  Lunch Break

(1:30 pm – 2:45 pm) Module 3 Review: Management Skills

(2:45 pm – 3:15 pm) Beverage and Snack Break- Questions for Speaker

(3:30 pm – 4:45 pm) Exam** 

*On your own with ASAP Dollars.

**Onsite exam is optional. You may take the exam online when you return to your office. Learn more

Trudy Bourgeois, Founder, The Center for Workforce Excellence

You have more influence and power than you know. The questions you ask and the information you offer will shape your executive’s perspective and decisions. This session explores how you can help your executive perform at his or her best, make sound decisions, and lead more effectively by leveraging your natural strengths. You’ll learn 7 practical tips to enhance your value to and impact on your boss and much more!

Whether you are attending on your own or traveling with a team, from day one, you’ll begin making new connections with assistants from across North America and around the world that “get it.” They understand the role you play and the challenges you face. This kick off session makes networking quick and comfortable. You won’t have to try to think of what to say; you’ll want to keep talking when time is up! Be sure to bring your business cards so you and your peers can stay in touch.

Corinne Hoisington, Professor of IT, Central Virginia Community College

Regain control and become the Outlook organizational guru of your and your Executives’ email, calendar, task list, and more! In this in-depth and hands-on Workshop we’ll tackle these together as an efficient system! We’ll learn to successfully coordinate and interface with busy executive calendars (including their tasks and projects), reveal new ways to use panel and schedule views of the calendar, and develop and maintain an effective approach to meet the persistent demands of one or more Executive. Plus:

• How to build custom calendar views, use conditional formatting for a clear picture and how to share, open, delegate, and group calendars.
• Learn best practices on how to create Outlook rules and calendar events automatically to streamline your incoming email and maximize email success in the shortest time period.
• Integrate Skype into Microsoft Outlook for new ways of direct communication.

*Laptops are REQUIRED for this workshop. Please have the Microsoft Office Suite installed on your laptop prior to coming onsite.

**This Workshop, due to its hands-on nature, has limited seating.

Mandi Stanley, CSP, Author and Trainer

EAs with leadership responsibilties will discover new approaches to presenting their ideas with clarity, confidence, and power through learning and practice in this Workshop. We’ll explore how to organize your thoughts appropriately, how to pinpoint your message while seeking buy-in, tips to controlling your body language to communicate the message your want, how to use mapping to organize your message, and remedies for the “8 Great PowerPoint® Mistakes.” Participate in detailed round-trable discussion about what constitutes an ineffective presentation at work and learn:

• The Three-Minute First Impression: What you absolutely must do in the first 180 seconds to build rapport and credibility with the people in the room.
• Nonverbal know-how using eye contact exercises, speaker charades, and discussing “Ricky Bobby Syndrome.”
• The three must-haves in a presentation opening to hook your audience (beneficial for subject matter experts).

Author, Team Builder

Living Life Large: Simple Actions to Create Success

Based on Tyler’s bestselling book Livin’ Life Large: Simple Actions to Create Success, this keynote will have you rolling in the aisles with laughter, but also arm you with simple changes that you can make to create a balanced lifestyle. In doing so you will be able to effectively and efficiently balance the rigors that work and life throw your way. Join us for an impactful, hilarious, high-energy talk to help you create satisfaction by living “every single moment of every single day.”

Inspirational TED Speaker, Entrepreneur, Executive Coach and Artist, named on “Best

Keynote Speakers” list by Meetings & Conventions Magazine

The Fire Within: Burn Bright and Blaze Your Trail

Prepare to be taken on a moving and thought-provoking journey in which Allison will teach you to find peace, purpose, and happiness, and give you the tools you need to rise above any obstacle. As the survivor of two life-threatening car accidents, and having suffered severe second and third degree burns on over 50% of her body, Allison reveals her personal journey from absolute loss, to forgiveness and understanding, and finally to a success and life beyond anything she could have imagined. Through the power of storytelling, she weaves humor, empathy, and potent life lessons, allowing you to study what she learned on each step of her path. You will hear and understand the answers to some of life’s biggest questions. Her speech will fortify you with an inspired perspective on life and applicable tools for managing change and adversity.

About Allison: Trapped in a burning car, Massari nearly burned to death. She has journeyed to the extremes of human endurance and is a passionate voice for the potent power of resolute kindness and blazing perseverance. She has been named one of Meetings & Conventions Magazine’s Best Speakers, has been featured on ABC, NBC, and FOX, and has spoken at a diverse list of companies and organizations across the world.

Starla West, Founder, President, Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Starla West International

Successful leadership begins with a strong foundation of self-knowledge and emotional awareness.  Starla shows you how to identify and realign the value system and core beliefs that are currently creating your professional experiences.  Learn how to command control of your internal dialogue so that a more relaxed and authentic level of confidence will emanate from you. You’ll cultivate a strong foundation of self-knowledge and learn how to use it to better inform your thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making so that you remain calm and in control – even in times of conflict and stress.

*ES1 and ES3 can be taken together or separately.

Lucy Brazier, CEO, Marcham Publishing & Publisher, Executive Secretary Magazine

The Executive Assistant’s role has evolved quickly in the past decade. While responsibilities have broadened and contributions are greater than ever, many Executives aren’t trained in how to manage their Assistant, and therefore may not utilize them effectively. Lucy will explore the opportunities this creates for you as the EA, to become a true business partner to your Executive. Discussion will include: developing the partnership strategically, setting the ground rules, adapting to style and your “Map of Influence” with your Executive and key stakeholders.

Starla West, Founder, President, Executive Coach and Leadership Expert, Starla West International

As you develop your leadership, you need to be prepared to manage relationships and interactions effectively and constructively. Positively influencing the thoughts and behaviors of others is accomplished by connecting, building rapport, and communicating in a way that evokes your desired response. Starla shows you how to accurately read a situation and gain the vital information you need to manage interactions in a way that strengthens rapport and enhances relationships. You’ll learn how to influence the thoughts and behaviors of others so that you can redirect conflicts and maximize their efforts toward the most productive outcomes.

*ES1 and ES3 can be taken together or separately.

Leni Miller, President and Founder, EASearch, LLC

Leni Miller has placed dozens of EA’s in elite, C-suite positions. She works closely with top executives and their assistants — playing a part in the evolution of the role to complement that of the C Suite executive. Leni shares the skills, traits, and talents that distinguish EA’s at the highest level and the five key factors that influence salary expectations. If you aspire to this role or wonder what’s next for you, this session may be just what you need to get going!

Peggy Grande, Author of “The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Ronald Reagan’s Final Years” and Former Executive Assistant to President Ronald Reagan being interviewed by Lucy Brazier, CEO, Marcham Publishing & Publisher, Executive Secretary Magazine

Discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy, professional commitment, and personal rapport required to be an assistant to the President are essential!  In this interview, Peggy will share stories of the incredibly close working relationship she enjoyed with President Ronald Reagan during her 10 years as his post-presidency Executive Assistant. She’ll discuss the challenges they overcame together; share important lessons required to navigate one’s career with confidence, excellence, and leadership; and give an inside look into the life of a president when they become a not-so-simple private citizen again. Plus you’ll have time for Q&A!

Enjoy a spectacular Las Vegas experience with a whole bunch of your APC colleagues! Take a 30 minute ride on the High-Roller Observation Wheel – the most exciting attraction to hit the Strip, followed by dinner at your choice of three fantastic dining experiences on the LINQ Promenade. Fee includes: High Roller ride and custom menu dinner – appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage, tax and gratuity. More information

Vice Chairman, Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Author, Speaker

Expect to Win: Show Up With Your Best Self Every Day

Carla knows a thing or two about winning in life. She has climbed the corporate ladder at Morgan Stanley, written multiple books, and released multiple gospel albums. She heartily believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else,” and practices that every day! Join us as Carla shares the tools, strategies, and pearls of wisdom she’s honed from her own experience. She will show you how to maximize your success in the seat you’re in or the seat you aspire to sit in. She will discuss: the importance and power of perception in the workplace, the key relationships that you must have in order to insure your success, and the power of authenticity and its place as a part of great leadership.

Vickie Sokol Evans, President, Red Cape Company

It is common for each executive to want his or her travel itinerary to look a particular way, and in most cases, completely different than others on the team.  With powerhouse Vickie’s guidance, discover how to automate the formatting for your itineraries and manage trips for multiple executives the way they each want the document to look–all with one press of a button. We’ll use Word Styles and Style Sets to build, streamline, and automate your travel itineraries (and any other long documents).

Lea Pica, Director of Data Visualization and Storytelling, Search Discovery

Most EA’s are regularly called upon to create slide presentations or reports for their execs. Often you are turning statistics into graphics.  Is the audience able to “get it” at a glance? Chances are your slide design and data graphics are obscuring the valuable insights and ideas you hope for. Data visualization helps people understand the significance of data by placing it in a visual context that tells your story powerfully and informs decisions more effectively. With her special blend of neuroscience-based principles, practical hands-on design techniques, and entertaining “tough love”, Lea equips you with a fresh new toolbox that will get those presentations remembered and acted upon. You’re going to love what you learn–and so will your exec.!

Tyler Hayden, Keynote, Author and Team Building Expert

With position and experience, your colleagues often look to you to lead. In true Tyler fashion–with out-of-the-box thinking and high energy — you’ll get dozens of team building ideas that increase engagement in projects, boost collaboration, and improve performance. Tyler’s exclusive MIQ process shows you how to gather information on team members’ individual learning intelligences and apply that to create phenomenal opportunities for leadership from everyone. Learn how to craft your group into a cohesive team with the right structure and dialogue in this highly interactive and fun Session!

Lisa Olsen, Co-Owner and Presenter, Admin to Admin

Revolutionary assistants think differently. We’ll tap into Da Vinci’s genius to better understand our world around us using practice and exercises to bring out the revolutionary thinking in you! Lisa shows you: how to develop the skill of “Systems Thinking,” how to sharpen your question asking skills and develop a personal list of Top Ten Power Questions, how you can embrace the commitment to test your knowledge, the benefits of “confusion endurance,” the barriers and obstacles that prevent you from feeling confident in decision-making, and 8 Thinking Traps that sabotage motivation!

Ilene Waterstone, Assistant to Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin)

Like corporate assistants, Hollywood assistant’s book complex travel, coordinate frequently changing schedules; act as gatekeepers and work to build a strong partnership with their boss. Hollywood assistants’ work looks a bit more glamorous and exciting, but is challenging in different ways. Ilene Waterstone, Steve Martin’s Assistant of 30 years and former Assistant to Carrie Fisher, dishes on the perks and the demands and shares how she keeps one of Hollywood’s busiest performers at the top of his game. Ilene’s interview will be followed by engaging Q&A, so bring your questions.

Tyler Hayden, Personal Development and Team Building Expert and Author

Healthy competition is a phenomenal way to explore skills in accepting challenge, relationship management, designing competitive strategies, and reaching goals. Your objective in this Session is to have fun and work as a team, improve your problem-solving skills, and your understanding of different work styles while competing in some healthy rivalry with your peers. You won’t believe your eyes when you see what teams will do to win this event!

Lee Silber, Author, Trainer Consultant, Practitioner of Big Ideas

Sometimes we stick with the familiar (even when it’s not working) because we fear failure, loss or embarrassment. This interactive Session is designed to help us rethink how we do things, get out of our routines, and become more confident and comfortable with change. We’ll take a series of small steps outside our comfort zones to learn what we’re capable of. Take the chance to do things (fun things!) you normally wouldn’t — in a safe environment. Together we will confront discomfort, laugh things off, rebound, get more comfortable with risk and set goals a little outside our comfort zones.

Sandy Geroux, CEO, WOWplace International, LLC

What’s the most effective response when you feel you are being disrespected, insulted, or verbally attacked? The way you handle yourself under duress says a lot about your emotional intelligence, communication skill, and confidence. It can affect your confidence, ability to lead, and your career advancement. It’s important to know whether your perception is correct or primarily a case of miscommunication and it can be hard to harness your emotions and choose the most effective way to respond.  This scenario-based Session with guided conversations, role-playing, and active learning lets you practice mastering your responses in difficult situations.

R. Scott Boots, MPA, Founder and Director, The Health Cares Exchange Initiative, Inc.

Because we have a supportive and giving role, administrative professionals face many of the same stressors and pressure that caregivers do. This stress is often harmful to both the organization and the individual, resulting in lost productivity, decreased performance and job dissatisfaction. Many of us need to be reminded to take care of ourselves as well as others. This session focuses on setting healthy boundaries and responding to stress in healthy ways. Practice quick “self preservation” responses and exercises you can do at work (and at home) to cultivate your resilience, increase mindfulness and reduce stress.

Kate Adams, Managing Editor, UPS.com

While daytime soap operas have often been the target of jokes, “As the World Turns” ran for 54 years because its stories and characters mattered to thousands of people. Suspend disbelief and find unlikely inspiration as former Assistant Casting Director and applauded TED speaker Kate Adams, shows how soap opera characters teach us to push away doubt and believe in our capacity for bravery, vulnerability, adaptability, and resilience—even, or perhaps especially, in the most high-stakes of scenarios.

Entrepreneur, Magician

The Power of Perspective: Success through Collaboration

When we fall into a situation with a problem we can’t solve, it feels impossible. Seeking insight from others with different perspectives can make a solution quickly appear. Vinh uses the art of magic (a problem that the general public doesn’t have the solution to) to take you on an exploration of several performances. He invites you to collaborate, share your perspective, and discover the solutions to how they were done. Vinh affirms how you can collaborate with others and their different perspectives to become the problem-solving mastermind of your career and life!

Lisa Olsen, Co-Owner and Presenter, Admin to Admin

Assistants are often involved in the strategic planning processes for their Executives and management teams. Learning the tools and exercises used in the process can increase your awareness, build partnerships, improve productivity and prevent complacency. In this Workshop, we will discuss the strategic planning process from a personal perspective focusing on the following objectives: completing an executive profile on 8 key insights to your Executive that will build your relationship, taking an inventory of personal strengths to determine your Key Success Factors, understand the power of Quiet Confidence and Informal Influence and more. We’ll learn about:

• The 5-15 Report and how it can help increase efficiency and prepare you for performance evaluations.
• How to conduct a personal SWOT analysis by exploring your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and how you can use it to position yourself for growth and effectiveness in your role.
• Self-promoting inhibitors that can prevent us from recognizing opportunities.
• How to conduct Start, Stop, and Continue exercise (adapted from the book Good to Great by Jim Collins)

Lee Silber, Award Winning Speaker and Author

When a problem presents itself, ideas are needed or a decision is requested, there’s not always time to say, “Let me think that over.” What’s more, under pressure, anyone can get a case of “brain freeze.” The good news is that we can train our brains to think fast, arriving at solutions or decisions rapidly. Hone your ability to come up with great ideas on the fly, to be more innovative, resourceful, and to have confidence that no matter what others throw your way, you can handle it. You’ll try out newfound powers of observation and problem-solving skills, and demonstrate your creativity in fun activities that are designed so you can’t fail. Take away techniques you can use to:

• Generate ideas quickly and easily under pressure and with tight timelines.
• Find ways to do more with less and make do with limited resources.
• Gain confidence in your ability to consistently come up with creative solutions that allow you to come through in the clutch.
• Develop the mindset that sees problems as opportunities to shine.