10th Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress Draft agenda

Canberra , 12-13 November 2025

With over 20 speakers already confirmed for this amazing conference we will be announcing our speaker line up very soon. For now, discover the inspiring and practical take outs you will get from this congress:

Thriving in the ‘fast lane’: Mastering adaptability in times of change

Using techniques to bounce back fast and stay positive when the pressure’s on

Changing gears to pivot quickly and effectively as priorities and strategies evolve

Turning uncertainty into opportunity by welcoming new challenges with confidence

Staying ahead of the curve by building habits that keep you agile and ready for whatever comes next.

Networking as an Executive Assistant: Acquaint, accommodate, ally

Leveraging both online platforms and face-to-face events to build a diverse, valuable network

Creating beneficial connections, step-by-step, using commonality, clarity and continuity to deepen relationships

Understanding the advantages and pitfalls of networking, and striking the right balance for your personality and goals

Breaking into established circles as a new EA, or deepening your network as experienced EA.

EA PANEL – Mastering competing demands in high-pressure environments

Resetting decision-making using next generation AI tools to analyse task importance and urgency

Mapping impact versus urgency to categorise stakeholder importance and task impact

Leveraging your resources to delegate beyond ‘traditional’ teams

Thriving under competing demands by anticipating conflicts before they escalate. 

Fostering wellness in the modern workplace using inclusive holistic strategies

Designing personalised wellbeing frameworks to accommodate changing support required to manage changing health dynamics

Designing policies for the neurodiverse and the gender-diverse and tailoring support for gender specific health issues

Creating inclusive health action plans for gendered needs and chronic conditions, informed by Australian case studies

Implementing risk-tracking tools paired with data encryption on a need-to-know basis

Mastering analytical and critical thinking to unlock your potential

Breaking down complex problems with confidence and clarity

Identifying hidden patterns to uncover powerful insights

Harnessing cutting-edge data visualisation techniques for compelling storytelling

Proposing data-driven solutions that drive real-world results. 

The growth mindset Executive Assistant: Building your career in today’s workplace

Leaping into leadership from the Executive Assistant role

Practising skill-stacking to break free from the promotional hierarchy

Elevating your strategic capabilities with emerging technology while maintaining your ‘high human value’

Seeking ‘stretch’ opportunities to test leadership capability. 

Time-crafting:  Adaptive strategies for every career stage

Triaging with the 4 Ds for decision-making and managing conflicting requests – ‘Delete-Delegate-Delay-Do’ 

Using the complementary hybrid AI and analogue productivity system

Creating a personal ‘energy audit’ template to manage high-level tasks with peak clarity

Incorporating reflection sessions to review progress, recalibrate priorities, and celebrate achievements in how you manage your time.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE PANEL – Aligning understanding and direction between Executive/Executive Assistant

Defining priorities and measuring success from the Executive’s point of view

Developing the balance between autonomy and collaboration with your Executive Assistant

Maintaining proactive foresight and diplomacy in stressful circumstances

Evolving from support roles to strategic advisers. 

EA PANEL – Supportive versus strategic:  Reinventing the EA-Executive dynamic

  • Growing business acumen and understanding organisational priorities to translate your Executive’s vision into actionable strategies
  • Building your strategic toolkit – building trust, setting priorities, anticipating the good and the bad, ‘how are we doing’
  • Knowing what partnership success looks like and using partnership elements to maintain that success 
  • Leveraging emerging technology for predictive scheduling, analysis, and decision-making, whilst keeping your high human value to the forefront

From the sideline to spotlight:  Mastering verbal and non-verbal communication for EAs

  • Understanding assertive communication in whatever your career phase
  • Appreciating where verbal precision and non-verbal cues intersect and what approach is required
  • Setting boundaries as an EA to avoid the always saying ‘yes’
  • Using assertiveness as a tool to elevate strategic influence

Using your ‘high human value’ with Copilot to build synergy and rhythm in your day

  • Creating autonomous task to manage routine workflows, making time for high-value strategy focus
  • Assisting with real-time decision using customised apps and enhanced data analysis
  • Working with greater efficiency and creativity in writing, designing, and problem-solving
  • Building a 21st Century toolkit to evolve your career 

Mentoring in 360 degrees: Bridging generations and expertise for Executive Assistants

  • Equipping EAs to both mentor and mentee to drive personal growth and organisational excellence
  • Understanding the mentee’s role to ensure targeted, relevant knowledge transfer between the experienced and the new EA
  • Creating a two-way street for learning and understanding generational expectations in the workplace
  • Creating a step-by-step blueprint for a dynamic 360-degree mentoring programme, including identifying pros and cons, to produce better working relationships

Technical proficiency: Essentials for every Executive Assistant’s toolbox

  • Mastering core digital skills from different platforms as essential competencies for the future
  • Taking away practical steps to trial, assess, and integrate tools seamlessly into workflows
  • Evaluating tech to balance automation benefits against risks
  • Future-proofing tactics for assistants at all levels to stay ahead in technology advancements

EA PANEL – The ‘quiet achiever’:  Executive Assistant leadership and influence without authority

  • Understanding why influence, not authority, is foundational to effective EA leadership
  • Using fresh perspectives to create and innovation versus using depth of knowledge to drive change
  • Leading without authority’s upside and downside – foster creativity, encourage collaboration, reduce resistance, overcoming limited resources, lack of recognition of success
  • Crafting strong relationships and engaging alliances across teams