The Office show celebrates the PA profession

Are you a lifelong, dyed-in-the-wool, career PA? Then it’s time to get the recognition you deserve this year at the Office show, which will reward the dedication of the nation’s longest-serving PA.

To mark this year’s National PA Day celebrations on 8 October at the Office show, a search for Britain’s veteran PAs has been launched. The winner will be announced prior to the show and awarded a complimentary night’s stay for two at London hotel the Park Tower Knightsbridge, including dinner at its award winning One-O-One restaurant.

Speaking ahead of the third annual National PA Day, the show’s event manager David Maguire says this new initiative, launched by Diversified Business Communications, seeks to highlight the important contributions and commitment that members of the PA profession have made to UK businesses.

“Not only are we inviting all professional PAs, EAs, VAs and secretaries to nominate themselves, but we want to hear from their friends and colleagues as well,” says Maguire.

Explaining the origins of the campaign, Maguire says: “There are an estimated 650,000 people working across the UK in a PA role… and together their profession contributes positively to the productivity of every single part of the economy. By recognising and promoting the achievements of long-serving PAs, we aim to encourage greater support and enthusiasm for the profession as a whole.”

Maguire goes on to say that last year’s annual National PA Survey revealed that nearly three quarters of those surveyed said being a PA was undervalued as a career choice. “While the role has evolved almost unrecognisably over the last 10-20 years, many outdated attitudes and gender stereotypes (particularly around qualifications and career aspirations) are still firmly lodged in place,” he adds.

So help challenge convention surrounding the role of the PA, or show someone your appreciation, by submitting an entry. Forms are available to complete online at officeshow.co.uk/national-pa-day/.