Chamber seeks best administrative professional

The Farmington Chamber of Commerce is looking for Farmington’s best administrative professional.

In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, which is Wednesday, April 27, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce is inviting business leaders to submit nominations of administrative professionals for recognition.

“Administrative professionals help make businesses strong,” said Doug McDermott, president/CEO of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to help business leaders recognize those individuals who go above and beyond in making their organizations succeed.”

McDermott said that nominations may be submitted at farmingtonmo.org, and based on the nomination, a winner will be chosen who will receive special recognition along with a gift basket. Nominations must be received by Thursday, April 21 at 5 p.m., with the winner being presented their award on Wed., April 27.

“Sometimes, the most important people go unnoticed because they keep their head down and work hard,” McDermott said. “This is one way to recognize those folks and give them our thanks for helping to keep Farmington’s business community strong.”

Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has honored office workers by sponsoring a celebration for office workers. The idea began with Mary Barrett, president of the National Secretaries Association, now called IAAP, and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation. They served on a council addressing a national shortage of skilled office workers. Together with Harry Klemfuss, public relations account executive at Young & Rubicam, they originated the idea for a National Secretaries Week.

In 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

The mission of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce is to foster business success, improve the economic environment and enhance the quality of life of the Farmington area and surrounding region. That mission is achieved through programs business development, advocacy, community betterment, leadership development and member services.