If you’re an Office Manager, give yourself a pat on the back. You seriously do it all.
Like the central nervous system of the office, you keep your company’s critical day-to-day operations running… and running well.
From payroll responsibilities to IT improvisation, the tasks you face every single day are numerous and challenging.
You could probably use a day (or a week) to step back, take a deep breath, and nurture the diverse range of skills you need to nail your job and stay sane.
You’re in luck, because we’ve pulled together a list of the seven Office Manager conferences you can’t miss in 2019.
Designed specifically for Office Managers, these conferences allow you to select the skills you want to focus on and provide the practical instruction you need to learn—and master—a variety of new skills.
Free Bonus: Get a PDF version of The 2018 State of The Office Manager Report. We surveyed 572 Office Managers to uncover 10 takeaways you can use to hit your goals and overcome challenges. Plus learn what other Office Managers are getting paid (and how you can earn more)!
(PS – If you’re an Office Manager, join our private FB Group here. It’s a place to connect, collaborate, and share advice on how to overcome the wide spectrum of challenges you face in your role.)
1. Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects, and Deadlines
Conference Organizer: Fred Pryor Seminars
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Multiple Dates
A one-day seminar available in tons of convenient locations at tons of convenient times, Pryor’s Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects, and Deadlines boasts this tagline:
“Gain more control over your time, tasks and priorities than you ever thought possible!”
Is that appealing or what?
Busy Office Managers will find a gold mine of time-management information and advice during this short, yet comprehensive, in-person seminar. Attendees learn how to do more with the same amount of time, and they examine methods for coping with the stress that comes with an Office Manager’s hectic life.
Bonus: You may think brochures are old-fashioned, but this one will tell you everything you want to know about this fabulous seminar.
2. The Complete Two-day Seminar on Communicating With Tact and Professionalism
Conference Organizer: SkillPath
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Multiple Dates
Superb communication skills form the foundation for success in many fields, especially people-centric office management.
During this two-day seminar (available in a location and time convenient for you), Office Managers will learn how to tackle the most cringe-worthy communicating scenarios, from answering sticky questions to conveying bad news.
Here’s a few sample learning points taken straight from the Communicating With Tact and Professionalism agenda:
- Excuses, excuses—how they can torpedo your reputation and career
- How to get a “rambler” to cut to the chase
- Sure-fire ways to prevent or reduce defensive behavior
Tip: Visit the conference landing page, navigate to the right, and search for seminar dates in your city.
3. Strengthening Your People Skills in the Workplace
Conference Organizer: SkillPath
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Multiple Dates
When was the last time you advanced your career in a day? At this one-day workshop, Office Managers pick up the elusive people skills they need to work their way straight to the top.
If you’ve ever wanted to…
- Connect instantly with anyone
- Become a beloved mediator
- Handle your most incorrigible coworkers
…then this workshop is for you. The program is planned by experts with decades of experience, and it’s even available on demand if you can’t make it to an in-person date.
Fun fact: This workshop puts its money where its mouth is with a satisfaction guarantee. You can reclaim your enrollment fee if you are less than pleased.
4. Organization Skills for the Overwhelmed!
Conference Organizer: SkillPath
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Multiple Dates
(Yes… another awesome conference put on by the good people at SkillPath 🙂 )
It might seem counterintuitive to take a day off to attend a workshop when you’re feeling overwhelmed, but this jam-packed program is the perfect prescription for any swamped OM.
The sessions will give you all the strategies you need to clean the clutter out of your life. And the workshop is not just focused on time management; it also covers some less-than obvious ways to keep calm, including:
- How to clean your workspace
- Strategies for saying “no” when your plate is too full
- Managing external time-drainers, such as interruptions
Bonus: This workshop comes with a note (on page 2) you can pass on to your approving manager to get their buy-in on your attendance.
5. Confident, Assertive, In Charge: Developing the Attitudes of Leadership
Conference Organizer: Dale Carnegie Training
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Multiple Dates
Office Managers face tough, high-level decisions every day. That’s why cultivating strong leadership skills, such as tackling decisions with confidence, is crucial for any OM’s well-being and workplace harmony.
Having an attitude of leadership will help you juggle all the choices that come your way while maintaining your composure.
This course will help you tap into the leadership skills you already possess. It also offers confidence-boosting strategies you need to embrace your inner leader and start making decisions like a boss.
Fun Fact: Do you recognize the name Dale Carnegie? That’s because the training institute’s namesake wrote some of the most influential business books of our time, including How to Win Friends and Influence People and The 5 Essential People Skills.
6. Accounting and Office Management
Conference Organizer: Business Development Resources (BDR) University
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Dates: April 3 – 4, 2019
This conference is perfect for Office Managers who find themselves doing quite a few accounting tasks. It’s designed for small business owners, but many Office Managers are tackling the exact same tasks as business owners.
The program covers best practices and practical tips for managing accounting processes, including ledgers and reports.
Buzz: Just visit the conference’s landing page to read comments like this one from Laura Morgan from Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Electric:
“This course has really opened my eyes to things our company could improve on. I wasn’t expecting to gain so much knowledge in 2 days, but I’m so happy I have. The materials are great They will help a lot in my office. Good details.”
7. Admin Bash
Conference Organizer: OfficeNinjas
Location: San Francisco, CA
Dates: April 22 – 26, 2019
Calling all Office Managers! During this giant networking party, you can call yourselves office ninjas!
The Admin Bash strikes the perfect balance between networking and fun. It really makes you remember why you love working in the administrative field!
You’ll get to rub elbows with enthusiastic individuals, including many other Office Managers who will surely have some tips and tricks to exchange. The event is all about connections!
Buzz: Check out this Admin Bash video for a preview of the fun waiting in your future!
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Bonus: The Admin Bash also features a massage lounge. The Ninjas really know what office managers need.
Which of these conferences are you most looking forward to in 2019? Let us know in the comments below.
All of them!!!! I need these in my life.