The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a non-profit,
professional networking and educational organization. It was formed in
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the List of United States cities by populat ...
in 1942 as the National Secretaries Association. The name of the organization was changed in 1982 to Professional Secretaries International, and in 1998 to its current name.
IAAP's core purpose is to provide education, certification, and leadership development to administrative professionals.
In 1951, IAAP administered the first Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) exam. Today, the certification program administers the Certification Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam. After successfully attaining the CAP
credential, admins become eligible for IAAP's specialty certificate courses.
Speciality certificate courses
IAAP. Currently, IAAP offers Technology Applications (TA), Organizational Management (OM), and Project Management (PM) specialty certificate courses.
In 1952, Mary Barrett, then-president of the National Secretaries Association, C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation, and American businessman Harry F. Klemfuss created a special Secretary's Day recognition, to acknowledge the hard work of the women in the office. The event caught on, and during the fourth week of April the holiday is now celebrated in offices all over the world. In 2000, the event was renamed "Administrative Professionals Week" to recognize people working in the administrative support field with other job titles such as receptionist
A receptionist is an employee taking an office or administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business. The title ''receptionist'' is attributed t ...
, office manager
Office management is a profession involving the design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of the process of work within an office or other organization, in order to sustain and improve efficiency and productivity.
Office management is ...
, executive assistant, administrative coordinator, management assistant, or administrative assistant
A person responsible for providing various kinds of administrative assistance is called an administrative assistant (admin assistant) or sometimes an administrative support specialist. In most instances it is identical to the modern iteration of t ...
.
IAAP publishes a magazine seven times per year for its members and subscribers, entitled ''Office Pro.'' The organization also hosts several in-person education events each year.
References
{{Authority control
Office and administrative support occupations
1942 establishments in Missouri