Purpose
To bring together representatives from secretaries’ administrative professionals’ and management assistants’ associations throughout the world for the purpose of sharing ideas and information, and establishing action plans to positively impact on issues and concerns facing the profession.

In 1992 Professional Secretaries International (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals ― IAAP) decided to bring together the leaders of professional secretarial associations throughout the world to participate in an International Summit to discuss global issues affecting secretaries.

That first Summit was held in New York and was considered a huge success with the decision being taken to hold further Summits at three-yearly intervals.

The second Secretarial Summit, again hosted by PSI, was subsequently held in 1995 in Seattle, USA.  At that meeting it was agreed that other nations would take turns to host the event and that because of the fast pace of change within the secretarial profession the next Summit should be held two years later.  Bids were presented and the Professional Secretaries’ Association of South Africa was chosen to host the next Summit.

The third Summit took place in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1997 and was attended by representatives from Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Mozambique, New Zealand, St Kitts, St Lucia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and USA.  At that event a bid was presented by the New Zealand Society of Executive Secretaries (now known as the Association of Administrative Professionals New Zealand ― AAPNZ) to host the next Summit in July 2000.  In addition, provisional bids were presented by the Institute of Qualified Professional Secretaries ― IQPS, United Kingdom to host in London in 2003 and by the Institute of Professional Secretaries & Administrators Australia (now known as the Australian Institute of Office Professionals ― AIOP) to host in 2006.

The fourth International Secretarial Summit was held in Wellington, New Zealand with the theme of “Stars 2000”.  Countries represented included Australia, Brazil, Europe, Papua/New Guinea, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA.  IQPS presented its formal bid to host the 5th International Secretarial Summit and was successful.  Several associations not previously represented at a Summit, expressed their interest in attending the Summit in 2003.

The fifth International Secretarial Summit was held in London, in September 2003, with the theme of “Today’s World ― Tomorrow’s Challenge”.  Countries represented included Australia, Europe, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and USA.  AIOP presented its formal bid to host the International Summit in 2006 and was successful.

The sixth International Secretarial Summit was held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia in September 2006, with the theme “Under the Southern Cross”.  At this Summit the International Secretarial Summit was renamed as the International Summit for Office Professionals.  Another major achievement of the Summit was the development of a World Strategic Plan for office/administrative professional Associations throughout the world.

Over the years, the format of the International Summit has changed.  Whilst up to two official delegates from each professional Association attended and took part in the leaders’ debates, a general conference was also held (the first time in 2000) simultaneously, to which all members of office/administrative Associations and, equally importantly, office/administrative professionals who do not belong to a professional organisation, were invited.  These participants had a vital role to play as their discussion group recommendations were fed back to the Association leaders which assisted them their decision-making.

There are two categories of attendees:

Delegates
Associations are invited to send up to three official Delegates, for example President, Vice-President and International Relations/Liaison Officer, or other authorised representatives, to attend the International Summit for Office Professionals.  Delegates take part in the Summit, discussing and voting on those issues which are considered most important to the profession as a whole.

All countries are invited to attend.  If voting is required by Delegates, each Association is entitled to one (1) vote.

Participants
Members of office/administrative professional Associations may attend the International Summit as Participants, and take part in separate group discussions.  The outcomes of these group discussions are fed back to the Summit Delegates to aid them in the preparation of action plans for implementation within their Associations.

Office/administrative professionals who do not belong to a professional Association are also very welcome to attend as Participants.

In addition to the discussion groups where Delegates and Participants can debate, discuss the network globally, there is also a programme of speakers on topics chosen to complement the discussions.  The speakers that are selected to motivate and energise the Summit, ensuring Delegates and Participants return to their countries with a wealth of information at their fingertips.  There is also an opportunity to read reports and papers from each country represented.

It is important for as many professional Associations as possible to be represented and contribute to the debates in order to give a balanced view of global issues affecting the office/administrative profession.  The event is an excellent opportunity for office/administrative professionals to extend their international network.

International Advisory Committee

In 2005 an inaugural International Advisory Committee was established and its mandate was to assist in setting down the Agenda for the International Summit held in 2006.  This Committee was so successful that it was decided at the 2006 International Summit that this Committee should be a permanent committee.  The International Advisory Committee has formal membership and terms of reference.

Local Organising Committee

A Local Organising Committee is formed in the host country where the International Summit will be held.  The Local Organising Committee has formal membership and terms of reference and reports to the International Advisory Committee.

Facilitators and Notetakers

Facilitators are arranged by the International Advisory Committee, in consultation with the Local Organising Committee.  Notetakers are arranged by the Local Organising Committee.

Please access the link below for your Invitation.

Invitation

A list of benefits received from attending an International Office Professionals' Summit is provided below.

List of Benefits