To mark what was once known as Secretaries' Day, the Bermuda branch of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) held its opening event of a week to highlight the work of an often overlooked segment of the workforce.

Guest speaker was Cheryl-Ann Lister, chief executive of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, at the buffet breakfast and mini expo that launched the week.

The IAAP exists to promote professional excellence amongst those who work in administration, and that encompasses everyone from assistants, receptionists to clerical employees.

At the buffet breakfast and expo at the Broadway Bistro Restaurant there were 53 attendees to listen to Ms Lister speak on the topic of "Creating Your Legacy."

Afterwards there was a mini-expo in the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute with displays by, amongst others; C-Travel, Bermuda College, SOS, Xerox, AS Smith, Araujo, Demco Floral Services.

On Wednesday, the IAAP holds a full-day event at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel that will feature guest speaker Dr. Jan Fraser from the USA, on the topic of "Shaping Your Future...Your Way."

It is expected that up to 100 professionals will attend.

Tina Wilson, vice-president of the local branch of IAAP, said the week had got off to a great start with the breakfast and expo.

"We had some networking and then the breakfast and the speaker and afterwards the expo. It is important to mark this week as administrative professionals are often overlooked a lot of the time," she said.

The week ends with a special reception on Friday.

For more information contact Margaret Mitchell on 278-5543 or Estella Lee on 298-5186 or visit the web site www.iaap-bda.org