Conference Program
The Corporate PA Summit program is designed to deliver content that is cutting-edge, highly beneficial, easily transferable, empowering and inspirational. It’s designed specifically to help you fulfil your potential and be the best you can be.
8:30 – ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
9:00 – OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
09:10
INSPIRATIONAL KEYNOTE: Unlocking your potential: How mindset and resilience can drive professional achievement
The pressures of supporting high-level executives and managing complex tasks are often very high, and if we’re not careful can leave little room for personal wellbeing and growth. So, how can you leverage these pressures to propel you forward rather than hold you back?
This presentation will explore how mindset is a powerful tool that can make the difference between merely surviving the daily grind and thriving in a fulfilling career. It will unpack how shifting your perspective can help you transform challenges into opportunities for personal and professional development.
In this inspirational session, you will be led by Ellie Cole, Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, who will share her remarkable journey and the powerful lessons she has learned along the way. From the importance of embracing change to the impact of a positive mindset on overcoming adversity, Ellie will provide real-world insights that can be applied to both your personal and professional life. Her story will inspire you to reframe challenges and harness your inner strength to achieve your fullest potential.
You’ll learn:
- How to cultivate a resilient mindset that empowers you to overcome professional challenges
- Practical tips for maintaining a positive outlook in the face of daily pressures
- How to apply Ellie’s insights to fuel your own success
10:00
Efficiency and empowerment: Practical strategies to maximise productivity and achieve more of what matters
This session aims to provide a comprehensive toolkit of practical strategies designed to empower you to be more effective and make an impact. By challenging traditional notions of productivity, you will learn how to free up valuable time and be able to focus on strategic initiatives that contribute to both your organisation’s success and your personal fulfillment.
Whether you’re looking to improve connections to develop more productivity, delegate tasks more effectively, or simply find more time for yourself, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make meaningful changes.
- Practical tools and techniques to streamline daily tasks
- Overcome procrastination and stay focused
- Tips for integrating wellness and self-care into the workday
- Show up as the best version of yourself
- Methods for improving communication, delegation, and workflow management
- Craft your day for maximum impact
10:45 – MORNING COFFEE
In the fast-paced world of being a busy EA or PA, maintaining health and wellbeing is often overlooked, yet it’s crucial for performing at a high level. As the backbone of your organisation, your wellbeing directly impacts your effectiveness.
With this in mind, how can you ensure that you’re not only managing your workload but also taking care of your health? What small, realistic changes can you make today that will have the biggest impact in the long run?
Dr Preeya Alexander, a practicing GP, TV presenter, and author, is passionate about preventative health and breaking down complex medical information. In this engaging session, Dr. Preeya will explore how you can take control of your health by incorporating simple yet effective strategies into your daily routine. She’ll share her insights on the importance of preventative health and provide you with actionable tips to enhance your physical and mental wellbeing.
This presentation will cover:
- How to incorporate small lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease
- Helpful tips for improving your diet and increasing your daily activity levels
- Strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing while juggling a demanding workload
- How to make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the role of the EA is transforming like never before. The rise of artificial intelligence and sophisticated software solutions presents both challenges and opportunities for professionals in these roles. Far from replacing the human element, technology is empowering EAs to expand their skill sets, increase productivity, and transition into more strategic, value-driven roles within their organisations. This session will explore both the opportunities and the challenges of the fast-moving pace of technology, and how you can ensure you reap the benefits – professional growth, enhanced efficiency, and a more proactive approach to the evolving demands of the workplace.
We’ll also discuss ways to stay ahead of the curve, and open the floor for your questions and experiences, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas on how to best navigate this technological shift.
- How to use AI to free up your time for higher-level responsibilities and contribute more strategically
- Strategies for staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and how to integrate them into your daily workflow effectively
- Understand how continuous learning and adaptability to technological change can open new career paths and opportunities for advancement within your role and organisation
- Interactive Discussion: Share your experiences with technology in your role, and learn from other attendees how they overcome challenges and maximise the benefits of these tools in their work environment
12:45 LUNCH BREAK
13:45
Beyond the Title: Developing leadership skills and making a greater impact as an EA
Anthony Carthew, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Sydney Opera House
These days, many EAs find themselves in positions of influence, taking on responsibilities that extend into leadership and strategic decision-making. But how do you make the leap from being a support role to a key player in your organisation?
This session is designed to inspire and guide EAs who aspire to expand their impact at work. Explore the journey of developing your leadership qualities, while remaining true to one’s role, and discover practical tips to identify and seize opportunities to contribute more, and increase your influence.
Drawing on the experiences of an accomplished EA who has successfully navigated this path:
- Explore the importance of bringing your whole self to work, and how authenticity can be a powerful tool, while staying true to your core EA responsibilities.
- Learn how to identify and present your case to take the lead on special projects that appeal to you
- Discover how to lead with confidence and inspire others to achieve collective success through collaboration and teamwork
- Understand your potential to become an influential part of your executive team
With more information at our fingertips than ever before, it’s no wonder we’re confused about where to place our time and energy to build a life and career that lights us up and gives us a sense of fulfillment. It can leave you feeling stuck in your role, overwhelmed by the juggle or lacking a sense of enthusiasm about the life you’ve created.
Health journalist and author, Casey Beros, has spent years interviewing the experts and has a unique ability to bridge the gap between ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’ when it comes to health, personal and professional development. Casey loves nothing more than helping people live better lives, drawing on her experiences and insights grounded in evidence-based expert opinion.
In this highly interactive session, Casey will be sharing the steps you can take to live a happier, healthier life (and kick some career goals along the way). Together, you will work through the many facets of your life in real time, to empower you to build more of the good stuff IN and edit what isn’t working OUT. You will leave this final session of the day with:
- An audit of your life and career to help you take action
- A greater understanding of success – how you define it, the meaning you attach to it and how you GET it
- The 10 rules for living that science backs time and time again so you know where to place your efforts
15:15 AFTERNOON TEA
15:45
Driving Strategic Results: Empowering EAs to Make a Strategic Impact
The role of the Executive Assistant (EA) is constantly evolving, from a support function to a pivotal, strategic partnership within organisations. This transformation requires EAs to not only understand the day-to-day operations but also to actively contribute to the long-term strategic goals of their teams and organisations. This session is tailored for EAs who are ready to elevate their impact, positioning themselves as indispensable partners in their company’s success.
The session will explore practical strategies to enhance your ability to think strategically, execute effectively, and overcome common challenges that may be holding you back.
- The importance of understanding and aligning with your organisation’s strategy
- The essential principles that will help drive strategic results – from prioritisation and resource management to fostering collaboration and innovation
- Actionable insights and tools to enhance your strategic thinking and execution
- How to overcome common challenges and obstacles that hold EAs back
In business and, indeed, in life, setbacks are not just inevitable – they’re part of the journey. The most successful people will tell you that their greatest learnings came from their greatest failures. Yet, we often find ourselves fearing these setbacks rather than leaning into them.
What if that challenge was the key to unlocking your next big success? This presentation dives into the art of bouncing back, using real-world lessons to empower you to thrive even in the face of adversity.
Sharing her story of incredible resilience is Kristina Karlsson, the visionary behind the kikki.K brand, who transformed a $3,000 loan into a $650 million retail empire. Through her journey of creating and losing it all – twice – Kristina has mastered the art of bouncing back.
During her presentation, Kristina will offer actionable insights on how to navigate setbacks with grace and determination. Prepare to walk away with tools that will help you turn your challenges into your next success story.
You will:
- Gain insights into the importance of adaptability and perseverance
- Explore the power of dreaming big and pursuing your passions, even in tough times
- Leave with actionable tools to harness your inner resilience in both your personal and professional life
17:15 SPONSOR PRIZE DRAWS
17:20 CLOSING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING DRINKS
WOW. WOW! The PA Summit never fails to deliver a quality program. It re-energises me each year. I leave feeling motivated and inspired. Brilliant!
Penrith Lakes