Recognised as one of the biggest events of the year for PAs and EAs, Olympia London will welcome office* once again, and it’s set to boast more training sessions and suppliers than ever before. Jade Burke catches up with event director, Duncan Siegle, to find out what sets next year’s event apart from previous shows.
After welcoming 5,520 unique visitors through its doors earlier this year, office* 2018 looks set to be another successful show with an all-new speaker line-up and training sessions set to enhance visitors’ development. Returning to London’s Olympia on February 28th to March 1st, 2018, PAs, EAs, VAs and office managers will enjoy their visit to the complimentary annual two-day show.
Recognised as the largest event of its kind, office* 2018 will play host to a variety of exhibitors, ranging from venues and accommodation to office equipment and furniture, and with more training sessions available than ever before, it looks set to be another stellar event for the industry.
“There will be more suppliers, more training sessions, and more networking opportunities for visitors to get involved with,” Duncan Siegle, event director of office*, tells PA Life. “The 2018 show is going to reflect the diversity of the PA/EA role. Keynotes, training and suppliers will enable visitors to develop, so they’re prepared as their role evolves for the future.”
Next year’s exhibitors include the likes of Byron & Brown, Dstrkt London, Gilgamesh and Shaka Zulu, Leetchi, The Elvetham, Travel Perk, Westgate Chauffers and many more. Co-located with International Confex and the Event Production Show and organised by Mash Media, the exhibition now offers more choice and more to see, making it a must-see for the industry next year.
“The event will welcome favourites from past shows, as well as new for 2018 suppliers,” details Siegle. “The exhibitors will represent a variety of products and services, meaning visitors can increase their knowledge of the range of companies within the market.”
“The 2018 show is going to reflect the diversity of the PA/EA role. Keynotes, training and suppliers will enable visitors to develop, so they’re prepared as their role evolves for the future.”
Mind training
With registration now open to attend, visitors will be able to enjoy sessions held by some of the industry’s leading PA trainers, providing guests with the opportunity to each receive top training. Meanwhile complimentary coaching within the Keynote Theatre will also be available for guests to take part in.
Siegle continues: “As a complimentary to attend event, office* is ideal for PAs/ EAs that aren’t allocated a budget for their own training needs.”
Guests should look out for sessions such as; Body language in the office environment with Yvette Pearson and Forget fear of failure… to increase your motivation with Nick Bishop on February
28th. Meanwhile, the second day will play host to sessions including; Driving your EA/PA career with Abigail Jones, Networking for success with Susan Heaton-Wright and The PA’s guide to the perfect event with Chris Powell.
“All of the sessions will provide training that will suit different requirements, relevant to a variety of roles, experiences and skills,” enthuses Siegle.
“We’re particularly looking forward to the sessions provided by the Global PA Association, which will provide education and training specifically for senior PAs. This is new for 2018 to specifically meet the education needs of visitors whom have previously received extensive knowledge and training.
“The Wellbeing Theatre will cover topics involving stress, work life balance, and emotional wellbeing within the office environment. These sessions are something our visitors requested more of, so we expect these will be popular.”
The breakfast club
On average, 2017’s event saw guests spend around five hours and 32 minutes inside, which the show’s organisers hope to repeat in 2018. To help keep office* refreshed, event organisers have detailed several new features, spanning from new breakfast sessions to dedicated networking opportunities.
Each of the breakfast meetings will be held from 8.30am to 9.30am, giving visitors the chance to meet with relevant suppliers before the show kicks off at 9.30am. Topics to be covered during these include; Managing your manager, interruptions and stress by Paul Pennant, and Success doesn’t have to be stressful by Laura Capell-Abra.
“The breakfast sessions are perfect for our visitors who find they run out of time at office*. With more planned for office* than ever before, the early starts will help visitors optimise their day,” reveals Siegle.
Meanwhile, visitor networking will be held at the end of each day, which will include a prize draw for guests to win items donated by partners, suppliers and speakers. Prizes include training courses and conference attendance provided by leading PA speakers and trainers.
“By dedicating time at office* for our visitors to network with each other, we hope to encourage attendees to benefit from the opportunity to grow their networks.”
Siegle adds: “Whether networking for future opportunities, or to receive insightful advice from peers, visitors can gain great support from their counterparts. By dedicating time at office* specifically for our visitors to network with each other, we hope to encourage attendees to benefit from the opportunity to grow their networks.”
The new developments for 2018’s show doesn’t stop there, as office* has joined forces with national children’s charity, Jeans for Genes. During the event visitors will be given all the advice necessary to involve their workplace in Jeans for Genes day in September 2018, providing companies with the
opportunity to work with a charity and make a difference.
With a clear focus to ‘provide visitors with the skills and training needed to thrive in all areas of their varied roles,’ the 2018 edition will cater to the new needs created by the evolvement of the PA and EA role. All this and more will offer guests a packed show next year, making office* an event not to be missed by any PA, EA or VA.
Don’t miss:
- The PA Life team will have a presence during the
- event, and will be hosting a session focussing on; How you can take control of your own development.
- Breakfast sessions taking place every morning during the show.
- Dedicated visitor networking with a prize draw including complimentary training courses and conference attendance.
- Get involved in Jeans for Genes day, which takes place in September 2018.
- Sessions provided by the Global PA Association
