Calling All Innovators

Published: Jan 24, 2019
Modified: Mar 24, 2020

Have you or your team introduced an innovation that produced positive results for your organization? We want to know about it. Apply for AMA’s Innovation Award for Administrative Professionals and get the recognition you deserve.

The  following gives some general information about AMA’s 2012 Innovation Award. If you have any questions, just e-mail us at [email protected] or visit our Website for additional information, including an application form.

We look forward to hearing all about your exciting and creative accomplishments!

Who is eligible?
The innovation must have been developed and implemented by administrative professionals. This includes professionals with the functions and titles of: Executive Secretary, Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Personal Assistant, Secretary, Office Manager, Administrative Specialist, Office Coordinator, and Receptionist. AMA’s Innovation Award 2012 is open to all U.S. residents.

The innovation must involve:
A fresh approach to a problem of significance in office or support operations. The innovation must have been completed from January 2011 thru August 3, 2012 and must be in use for at least 3 months prior to the application deadline. (The application and supporting document(s) must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, August 3, 2012.)

The application:
Must include a description of the innovation of at least 250 words, complete responses to all application questions, as well as relevant examples and proof of results. Supporting documents must include at least one of the following: cost savings, efficiency, productivity, problem solving, problem prevention, employee morale, accuracy and integrity of operations, customer satisfaction, organizational effectiveness, or organizational communication.

The winning entry:
The winner will receive free airfare, hotel accommodations, and registration to the 20th Administrative Professionals Conference at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, September 30–October 3, 2012. The winner must attend the entire Administrative Professionals Conference and must be present to receive the award. If the winner cannot meet these terms, AMA reserves the right to forfeit the prize and choose an alternate winner. In the event of team submissions, only one representative of the winning team will be selected to attend the conference.

Hotel and airfare accommodations will be booked through AMA’s travel agent services (Carlson Wagonlit). AMA will cover hotel accommodations for a maximum of three nights, and airfare will only be covered between the 48 contiguous states.

Description of AMA’s 2011 Innovation Award winner:
Capital One Financial Corp., Richmond, VA
Innovation: Admin U
Barbara Cameron, an administrative assistant at Capital One Financial Corp. created Admin U, an in-house corporate training university for Capital One administrative professionals. Over the years, Capital One acquired a wide network of administrative professionals from other banks through several mergers and acquisitions. Barbara saw an opportunity to create Admin U to help administrative professionals within the organization who were not familiar with their company’s policies and procedures or were just looking to enhance their skills through training. She formed a team of 10 colleagues with diverse backgrounds to create a training program through which the 500 Admins throughout the US, Canada, and the UK can take part, either through live classroom training or online webinars. Topics include: Managing Multiple Managers, Performance Management, Effective E-Mail Technology, and others. To date, over 200 have participated and Barbara, her team and Admin U have been a huge success.

Additional past winners.