NZ Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress agenda

7-8 September 2022, Wellington

	Conference day one – Wednesday 7 September
08.30	Registration
09.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	Building your influence to achieve your goals
	Knowing your purpose as an Executive Assistant Building your credibility within your role Managing uncertainty from inside and outside your organisation Exerting influence without positional authority Problem-solving as a strategic partner with your executive and colleagues
	Eth Lloyd, Senior Advisor, AdmiNZ
09.55	Panel discussion: Rethinking your role as an Executive Assistant to build new capabilities during times of uncertainty
	Understanding new and upcoming challenges brought by the pandemic Taking on extra duties to provide wider business support Overcoming unique challenges and seeing challenge as an opportunity Communicating with senior executives effectively during times of change Redefining your role and exploring the future of the EA role
	Lisa Lowe, Executive Assistant to Mayor, New Plymouth District Council Rachel Phillips, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, Tairāwhiti District Health Carolyn Davies, Executive Assistant, Southland District Council Francine McGee, School Manager, Economics and Finance School, Victoria University of Wellington
10.40	Morning Tea
11.10	Building new capabilities to provide remote support to your executives
	Navigating and adapting to the cultural change of remote work Techniques to enhance and achieve productivity in the online working environment Strategies for communicating effectively with your Executives when working remotely Software tools that complement the online working environment
	Ingrid Bayer, Founder, VA Institute
11.55	Building your professional brand as an EA of the 21st century
	Creating an authentic & positive reputation Breaking down barriers Moving from transactional to strategic Creating and maintaining a lifelong network Using your brand to create opportunities
	Joanne Gallop, President of AdmiNZ & Executive Assistant to Chief Executive, Christchurch City Council
12.40	Lunch
13.40	Advancing your communication skills to boost engagement
	Understanding your communication style and using your voice Identifying your senior executive’s communication preferences Enhancing your confidence and assertiveness with practical tips and tricks
	Janine Gould, Co-Founder, Communicate Consultants
14.25	Panel discussion: Discovering the delicate art of managing up and building a collaborative business partnership with your executive
	Gaining a deeper insight into the pressures, demands and requirements of your executive’s role Taking ownership of tasks to clear work goals and priorities Connecting with your executive on a regular basis Building trust as a team and asking for feedback proactively
	Lynda Holden, Executive Assistant to Deputy Chief Executive, Ministry of Transport Debbie Warnock, Senior Executive Assistant and AdmiNZ member Penny Menzies, Executive Assistant, Worksafe NZ Mary Huffadine, Senior Executive Assistant
15.10	Afternoon Tea
15.40	Dealing with competing priorities and managing time wisely
	Prioritising multiple tasks and setting up to do list Exploring time management tools and tips Exploring strategies to determine top priorities and balance priorities Preparing yourself to accommodate urgent tasks Maintaining focus to commit to established goals for the day
	Debbie Warnock, EA and AdmiNZ member
16.20	Identifying how you add value and knowing your worth
	Navigating imposter syndrome and self-doubt Avoiding self-sabotage and becoming your best self Managing your inner critic and having your own back Developing a habit of self-kindness

17.00	Closing remarks and end of conference day one
17.10	Networking drinks reception

	Conference day two – Thursday 8 September 2022
9.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	Enhancing leadership skills and leading without positional authority
	Dealing with management and leadership tasks Making independent decisions and taking calculated risks Showing initiatives and taking ownership to solve problems Motivating others and exerting influence
	Ness Franks, Executive Assistant
09.55	Strengthening teamwork with smart use of Microsoft Teams
	Embracing Microsoft Teams to communicate, collaborate and connect with your colleagues Establishing rules of engagement Building teams within MS Teams and enabling best practice teamwork Managing operational and project tasks to enhance team performance
	Chris Macintosh, Managing Director, Priority Management NZ
10.40	Morning Tea
11.10	Panel discussion: Keeping your career moving forward
	Taking ownership to build your career roadmap Gaining support from your executives Advancing your career as a professional EA Winning a new role stepping outside of the EA space Progressing further and choose the right career path for yourself
	Ness Franks, Executive Assistant, Strategic and Corporate Services, New Zealand Qualifications Authority Joanne Gallop, President of AdmiNZ & Executive Assistant to Chief Executive, Christchurch City Council Tai Samaeli, ACE Sector Capability Manager, ACE Aotearoa Dorothy Raroa, Poutiaki Patricia Ostate, Executive Assistant to DCE Academic, Otago Polytechnic
11.55	Growing mental and emotional resilience in a changing workplace
	Developing strategies to avoid and manage emotional exhaustion Building mental resilience to keep you on track Navigating new and challenging workplace changes intelligently Facilitating essential self-care and self-kindness Practicing techniques to centre yourself and improve wellness at work
	Kerene Strochnetter, Consultant, Mindful at Work
12.40	Lunch
13.40	Enhancing your relationships in work and life with emotional intelligence
	Examining and debunking common myths about emotions Centring emotions as essential within and beyond your role Identifying personal emotional signposts in practice Making emotional choices as a foundation for action
	Sherie Pointon, Director, Admin Advantage
14.25	Senior Executives’ panel discussion: discussing expectations and providing advice for executive assistants
	What are our expectations of a great Executive Assistant? What are the top-notch skills we appreciate the most? Building a strategic business relationship with Executive Assistant Where is the line between professional and personal?
	Suzanne Stew, Deputy Chief Executive, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Dawn Baxendale, Chief Executive, Christchurch City Council Rex Capil, General Manager, Community Lifestyle Services, Gore District Council
15.10	Closing remarks from the chair and end of conference