We get it — it’s early, and you probably rushed to get here. A big day of learning and networking calls for a proper caffeine kick, and we’ve made sure you’ll have exactly that ☕ Grab a coffee, settle in, and take a moment to connect with fellow admin professionals, swap traffic stories, and ease into the morning with a warm, friendly start. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for an inspiring day ahead.

We will be welcomed by Candice Burningham, Founder of Admin Avenues as she officially kicks off the event with a heartfelt welcome and a dose of inspiration. With over 20 years of experience supporting senior executives and building global admin communities, Candice brings unmatched passion, purpose, advocacy, and a deep understanding of what makes this profession so powerful.

Kickstart your conference day with a high-impact icebreaker designed to shake off the morning sluggishness, get the room buzzing, and connect you with fellow administrative professionals before the main sessions begin. Come ready to move, laugh, and network! Will Mason is the driving force behind Beyond the Boardroom, one of Australia’s premier team building and leadership development organisations. With over 20 years of experience designing high-energy, purposeful corporate experiences, Will specializes in breaking down workplace barriers and building genuine connections.

As technology accelerates and workplaces become increasingly demanding, one thing remains true: your greatest professional asset is your ability to think clearly, lead calmly and perform consistently.

But none of that is possible when your nervous system is constantly operating in survival mode.
In this compelling keynote, workplace wellbeing expert Stephen Woods shares the latest research on burnout prevention, nervous system regulation and sustainable high performance. Discover why burnout isn't simply about working too hard or lacking resilience, and learn practical, evidence-based strategies to regulate stress, improve focus and protect your wellbeing without compromising your performance.

Because future-proofing your career isn't just about keeping up with technology—it's about protecting the person behind it.

Key Takeaways
• Recognise the early warning signs of burnout before they impact your performance and wellbeing
• Understand how your nervous system influences focus, decision-making, emotional regulation and productivity
• Learn practical, science-backed techniques to reset your stress response in less than a minute
• Build sustainable habits that increase your capacity to perform under pressure without sacrificing your health
• Discover how regulation and recovery are essential foundations for long-term career success and high performance
• Recognise the early warning signs of burnout before they impact your performance and wellbeing.

Take a well-earned pause to recharge, grab a tea or coffee, and enjoy some light refreshments. It’s the perfect time to stretch your legs, say hello to the vendors who are looking forward to meeting you and connect with fellow attendees. It's a time to reflect on the insights from the morning so far. See you back soon - we’ve got plenty more to come! 

A data-driven look at salaries, career growth and the future of the profession. The administrative profession is evolving rapidly, and understanding your value has never been more important. In this session, Alicia Fairclough, Founder of EA How To and Co-Founder of the Administrative Professionals Salary Report, will unveil key findings from the 2026 Australian Administrative Professionals Salary Report and explore what they mean for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Administrative Assistants, and business support professionals.

Drawing on salary data, industry insights, and conversations with thousands of administrative professionals, Alicia will examine current salary trends, the factors driving earning potential, emerging career opportunities, and how the profession is changing in response to technology, shifting workplace expectations, and evolving executive needs. Attendees will gain practical strategies for salary conversations and negotiations, a clearer understanding of their market value, and valuable insights into the skills and trends shaping the future of administrative careers.

Key Takeaways:
● Exclusive insights from the 2026 Australian Administrative Professionals Salary Report
● Current salary benchmarks and trends across the profession
● Practical salary negotiation strategies and confidence-building techniques
● The skills and capabilities most valued by employers
● Future trends impacting administrative careers and how to stay ahead
● Actionable steps to increase your professional value and career opportunities

AI is rapidly becoming part of the modern workplace, yet many administrative professionals are finding the transition challenging. For a profession built on expertise, judgement, relationships, and attention to detail, learning to trust and collaborate with AI can feel both exciting and overwhelming.

In this session, we'll explore the neuroscience behind how our brains respond to change, uncertainty, and new technology, and why many professionals, particularly women, can experience resistance, overwhelm, or self-doubt when adopting AI tools. You'll gain a deeper understanding of what's happening beneath the surface and learn practical strategies to overcome these barriers.

Discover how to work alongside AI as a trusted partner rather than viewing it as a threat, leveraging technology to reduce cognitive load, enhance productivity, and create more space for the strategic, relationship-driven work that administrative professionals do best. You'll leave with practical insights to help you build confidence, embrace change, and create a powerful partnership between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.

We know, you’ll probably sneak in a quick inbox check (we get it, no judgement). But remember, today is about you and your professional development. So once you’ve cleared that urgent email or two, come and enjoy lunch, connect with fellow attendees, and chat with our incredible vendors and sponsors. It’s the perfect moment to expand your network, swap ideas, and spend time with a community just as invested as you are in making the most of the day.

You've heard about Microsoft Copilot. You might even have a licence. But between the hype and the reality, it can be hard to know where to start, or whether it's even working the way it should be.

This session cuts through the noise.

Informotion's Microsoft specialists will walk you through everything an EA needs to know:

• How Copilot's permissions work (including the delegate access gap that trips up nearly every EA)
• How to write prompts that get useful results
• And which automation features are worth your attention right now.

Expect live demos, real examples, and a prompt-building exercise you'll actually use on Monday morning.

What does AI actually look like in the day-to-day life of an Executive Assistant?

In this interactive panel session, you'll hear from three administrative professionals who have successfully integrated AI into their roles to work smarter, save time and deliver greater value to their executives and organisations.

Through honest conversations and real-world examples, our panellists will share the tools they use, the tasks they've transformed, lessons they've learnt, and the practical prompts and workflows that anyone can start using immediately.

Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking for new ideas, you'll leave with simple, actionable strategies and the confidence to put AI to work in your own role.

You'll learn:

• Real examples of how admins are using AI every day
• The biggest time-saving AI use cases
• Practical prompts and workflows you can use immediately
• Lessons learnt, challenges and tips for getting started
• How AI is helping admins become more strategic business partners

Afternoon tea might seem like a simple break in the day, but it actually has aristocratic roots. It all started in the 1840s when Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, got peckish between lunch and dinner and began inviting friends for tea, bread, and cake - thus sparking a tradition. Fast forward to today, and it’s still the perfect excuse to pause, chat, and debate the truly important things… like whether the lamington is Australia’s greatest afternoon tea invention (we think yes). So grab a treat, find a seat, and enjoy the moment - no royal title required.

Admin and Executive Support professionals often underestimate the value of what comes most naturally to them. The skills they rely on every day - anticipating needs, influencing outcomes, solving complex problems and building trusted relationships - are often the very things they overlook.

This keynote explores:
• How to recognise and own your unique strengths and professional value.
• Practical ways to overcome self-doubt without losing the desire to keep growing.
• How to confidently articulate your contribution to executives and your organisation.
• Building a personal brand that reflects the strategic partner you already are.

Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, attendees will discover how to identify their unique value proposition, communicate it with confidence, and position themselves for greater influence, recognition and career opportunities.

It wouldn’t be an Admin Avenues event without a little fun (and a few giveaways!). We’re celebrating the incredible brands that support our community with a round of prizes you’ll actually want. Be in the room, be ready, and you might just walk away with something special.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors for helping us make events like this possible. We couldn’t do it without you - and we wouldn’t want to!

As we wrap up an incredible day, Candice returns to the stage with a few last closing reflections and a whole lot of gratitude for this amazing admin community. We’ll celebrate the people in the room, the stories shared, and the connections made.

Then it’s time to exhale! Enjoy drinks and canapés, thanks to our wonderful hosts - and sponsors of these networking drinks at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Whether you're catching up with new friends or recapping everything you’ve taken in today, this is your moment to relax and enjoy. You’ve earned it!

The Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP) will be hosting the 2026 AIOP Gala Dinner & Awards following the conference.