This year marks EA Direct Connect’s fifth-annual luncheon, where we honor Central Florida’s administrative professionals with exceptional food, drinks, camaraderie and swag. At EA Direct Connect, we deliver the best experience because we understand, as former administrative professionals, that executive and administrative assistants often “eat last.” Once again, we will return to The Tampa Club.
Last year, I contacted several Tampa chief executive officers to participate in a surprise moment during our annual Administrative Professionals Day luncheon. The plan: executives waited in the green room, several floors from The Tampa Club, with bouquets to present to their administrative professionals on stage. I introduced each assistant by reading heartfelt words from their executives and then called them to the stage where their executive magically appeared. The response was overwhelming. These leaders were eager to highlight their administrative professionals.
Imagine this: your administrative assistant sits in a ballroom among 125 attendees, enjoying a three-course meal, chatting and bonding with peers. Suddenly, a name is announced. Laura looks up as applause fills the room, and I read sincere compliments only her executive could share about her work ethic and value to the team. She rises from her seat, confused but excited. Then, she sees her executive appear on stage with a bouquet. Awestruck, she walks up, realizing the significance her executive made time on a typically busy day to be there. The result: an unforgettable experience.
This occurred 20 times.
We hosted 125 executive assistants at the reception.
I was once one of those fortunate executive assistants. For years, I worked for a C-suite leader who never missed an opportunity to express gratitude and make me feel valued. They offered thoughtful gifts reflecting their lifestyle like designer shoes, handbags and other considerate gestures. The gifts weren’t important; the underlying message of appreciation for my support was.
Whether you attend this year’s luncheon or celebrate your assistant in another meaningful way, remember any effort matters, significantly. Executive assistants typically have high emotional intelligence, and their primary love language is, often, words of affirmation. A genuine thank-you makes a big impact. And let’s be honest, a thoughtful gift never hurts.
If you missed last year’s event or didn’t celebrate especially, you still have time to make a lasting impression this year.
We surveyed our private EA network of 2,000 members about past recognition. Responses varied from exceptional experiences (spa days, designer bags) to unfortunate incidents (getting yelled at, yes, really). Here’s the spectrum of appreciation, from extraordinary to disappointing:
Top-tier gifts: Luxury and experiences
Spa day at the Four Seasons
Pre-scheduled massage and facial, plus the day off
Three-day Sonoma, California, trip with hotel, wine tour, airfare and Silver Oak wine dinner
Gift cards and monetary gifts
Visa gift cards (up to $1,000 annually)
Executive-funded luxury shoes or handbags
Corporate swag and office celebrations
WellCare EA appreciation event: breakfast served by executives, including CEO; swag; gift cards; personalized recognition
Physical gifts
Silver perpetual calendar/photo frame
Beautiful Coach handbag
Practical and service-based gifts
Mobile car detailing
Disappointing (or no) gifts
No acknowledgment
Being yelled at instead of appreciated
Clearly, appreciation varies widely. Avoid anything from the “Disappointing (or no) gifts” category. Failing to show gratitude may prompt your assistant to consider other opportunities. Gifts from other categories are warmly welcomed.
Now, putting my EA hat back on: Don’t forget Wednesday, April 23, 2025, is Administrative Professionals Day. Mark it private on your calendar so your EA doesn’t see it!
Let me help create an unforgettable moment for your outstanding administrative professional. I’ll work within your comfort and budget, reminding you this is the one day to happily indulge your EA. Stretch a little – because your EA stretches a lot.