'Administrative Assistant for a Day' Relay
Released: 03/25/05
Media Contact: Bonni Pear or Abby Dalhart,
Miller-Pear Public Relations, (312) 649-0466;
bpear@millerpear.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bosses to Dial, File and Go the Extra Mile in
Woodfield Mall 'Administrative Assistant for a Day' Relay
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (March 25, 2005) -- Administrative assistants rule. In the rare instance where they don't, they probably should. Most bosses know they couldn't do their assistant's job for even a day. But in commemoration of Administrative Professionals Day(R), Woodfield Mall is challenging bosses to give it a try.
The "Administrative Assistant for a Day" Relay will be held in Woodfield's Comcast Connections Court from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, one day prior to the official observance of Administrative Professionals Day. Participating bosses will vie for Woodfield gift certificates in a series of administrative assistant-style challenges, including navigating an obstacle course while sitting in a desk chair, filing folders in appropriate cabinet spots, answering three simultaneously-ringing phones, and coordinating an outfit for a business meeting. The bosses with the top three fastest relay times will win Woodfield gift certificates for themselves ($200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third) and a matching certificate for their administrative assistant. Woodfield Mall will also donate $1,000, plus $1 per contestant, to Chicago Tribune Charities, a McCormick Tribune Foundation Fund.
Woodfield's "Administrative Assistant for a Day" Relay is open to the public, free of charge. For additional details or to register (or register your boss) as a contestant, log on to www.shopwoodfield.com. Contestants will be accepted on a "first come-first
served" basis as space is limited. All spectators -- especially administrative assistants --
are welcome.
For bosses who may not make the relay cut, Woodfield's merchants are ready to step in with some great Administrative Professionals Day gift ideas and practical advice. Among suggested guidelines: Select gifts that are business-related, rarely personal; and look toward one-tenth of one percent of an assistant's annual salary as an appropriate expenditure level. Top gift picks include:
$25 and under
Marcel Schurman Stationery ($14.95, Papyrus)
Sophisticated, sea mist blue stationery is accented with linear designs in blue, gold, and forest green. Matching envelopes are fully lined in striking deep blue.
Paperweights by BaekGaard ($20, Executive Essentials)
Paperweights with "sayings." Choose motivational or funny to fit your administrative assistant (a.a.)'s personality.
Aromatherapy Travel Case ($20, Illuminations)
For particularly hectic business trips -- one whiff can transport your a.a. to a tranquil garden or tropical beach. Fragrances include Ginger Eucalyptus, Patchouli Cedarwood, Lavender, Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang Neroli and Grapefruit Verbana.
$26 - $40
Coach Signature Cell Phone Lanyard ($28, The Coach Store)
The search is over. With this stylish leather/fabric lanyard, your a.a. will always be able to find his/her cell phone.
Talking Photo Cube with Clock ($30, Brookstone)
Displays three of your a.a.'s favorite pictures and records a nine-second audio message for each. Ninety-nine year memory ensures that messages are safe, even if the batteries run down. It's also an easy-to-read analog clock.
Two-Tier Spring Gift Box ($32, Godiva)
The colors are so vibrant, the design so unique, that just looking at this Spring Gift Box will make your a.a. smile. Lifting the lid to reveal the rich assortment of 26 caramels, smooth creams, and nuts inside, his/her happiness will be complete.
Hot+Cold Beverage Holder ($39.95, The Sharper Image)
Desktop electronic mug-and-can holder keeps cold drinks cold -- or hot drinks hot -- for as long as it's plugged in.
$41 - $100
Water Buffalo Money Clip and Card Case ($48, The Coach Store)
Simply ingenious. One side features a clip for money, the other for business cards. Comes in black, British tan, and mahogany.
Executive Laptop Accessory Kit ($59.95, The Sharper Image)
One small, tidy case includes: a mini optical mouse with RF wireless transmitter/receiver that plugs into a laptop's USB port; an eight-foot Ethernet cable; a seven-foot phone cable; soft-tip rubber earbuds with an in-flight stereo adapter; and a bright LED light that distributes focused illumination without disturbing others.
Putting Set with Laser ($75, Brookstone)
A break-time diversion for the a.a. who loves golf-- This set has everything he/she needs to perfect a putting stroke, including a patented laser trainer that clips to the putter and projects a linear array of dots from the ball's sweet spot to the hole. Also includes a full-size, segmented putter, putting cup and two golf balls.
More than $100
Textured Leather Agenda ($138, The Coach Store)
Your a.a. can be organized and hip with this unisex, four-by-seven-inch leather agenda. Available in black, white and black, orchid and white, or turquoise and white.
Inmotion Portable Audio System ($149.95, The Sharper Image)
What self-respecting a.a. doesn't commute to work these days with an iPod, iPod mini or other portable MP3 player? State-of-the-art speakers let the music play on at work or home.
New Varick Nylon Small Mapbag ($198, The Coach Store)
A stylish and fun way to travel to work. Anything your a.a. needs will fit in this bag! Comes in traditional black and steel, or fun spring, petrol.
These and many other Administrative Professionals Day gift ideas can be found online at www.shopwoodfield.com. Bosses still strapped for time or ideas may appreciate the convenience of purchasing Woodfield gift certificates. Woodfield gift certificates are available at the mall's Customer Service Center and redeemable as cash at Woodfield's nearly 300 stores and restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory, Todai Seafood Buffet, Rainforest Cafi and Ruby Tuesday.
Administrative Professionals Day, originally organized by a consortium of office product manufacturers in 1952 as "National Secretaries Day," began as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions to the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers. In the year 2000, the International Association of Administrative Professionals changed the observance's name to Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the administrative workforce.
This year's Administrative Professionals Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 27. Administrative Professionals Week(R) is April 24 - 30. There are currently more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. Over the years, Administrative Professionals Day has become one of the largest workplace observances worldwide.
Located at Route 53 and Golf Road in Schaumburg, Ill., 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Woodfield is the Chicago area's largest shopping mall. Mall hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (847) 330-1537 or log on to www.shopwoodfield.com.