The News | File photo

Nicki Brame, with the city of Mount Airy, receives the 2012 Administrative Professional of the Year award at last year’s luncheon, presented by Dennis Lowe, 2012 board chairman of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce.

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The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Ambassador League will hold the 10th annual Administrative Professional Day Luncheon on April 24 at noon at Cross Creek Country Club.

Tanya Taylor, chamber membership and communication director, said the main purpose of the event is to celebrate administrative professionals — individuals who are essential to businesses of all types.

“This is a celebration of employees,” said Taylor.

A much-anticipated portion of the luncheon is the entertainment provided by the Chamber Ambassador League.

“Our ambassador league program provides the entertainment for this event…they plan it and come up with the ideas on their own. We have great members who will sponsor the event and the entertainment and we even have commercials for businesses who provide sponsorship. It really becomes a locally focused event because we also have businesses that sponsor the prizes, such as gift certificates to local stores. We provide the attendees with about an hour and a half of fun, plus, this year we have a free business seminar following the luncheon.”

Betty Ann Collins, president of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, said she is proud of the Chamber Ambassador League for working hard in preparation for the event.

“It is always such a fun, fun event. The ambassadors come up with the theme and design the entire program based around that theme. Plus, the award is presented to an outstanding administrative professional,” said Collins.

With several surprises in store and a theme of “The Price is Right,” Taylor said the event is an afternoon of celebration and fun. “We’ve had people say they haven’t laughed all year like they laughed at this event.”

New for this year, immediately following the awards luncheon, is a free Business Success Summit with nationally recognized business and sales seminar leader Steve Black.

The Business Success Summit will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and there is no charge for chamber member business representatives.

Betty Ann Collins said the business seminar was a chance they “could not afford to pass up.”

“This is a true learning experience. This allows a company to bring part of their staff over for a lunch and entertainment, then hopefully they can attend the program immediately following the luncheon,” said Collins.

The topics covered in the seminar are learning how to double sales, effectively utilize social media techniques, and how to increase productivity. There also will be giveaways during the seminar.

“I personally heard Steve Black for a short time frame and I honestly could not write fast enough — I was so impressed with the few minutes I saw and believe he represents the best in his field,” Collins said. “It’s all about inspiring and motivating business people, whether you are an entrepreneur, owners, salesperson, operator — we are all in sales because we either sell ourselves, our community, or the business we represent…in this economy we all are looking for ways to set ourselves apart. Employees from every type of business, from accountants to merchants, real estate, construction, hospitality, government, it doesn’t matter, you will walk away from the seminar with something you can put into practice almost immediately.”

Collins said she would like to remind everyone who plans to attend the seminar to remember to bring paper and something to write with.

The cost for the awards luncheon and entertainment is $25 per person. The seminar directly following the awards luncheon is free.

The event sponsor is Quality Inn.

Reserve seats by Friday and all nominations must be turned in by the end of the business day on April 17. Contact Tanya Taylor to reserve seats at 786-6116, ext. 4, or emailing her at membership@mtairyncchamber.org.

Send all nominations by the end of the business day on April 17 to Betty Ann Collins at president1@mtairyncchamber.org or fax to 786-1488.

Reach Jessica Johnson at jessicajohnson@civitasmedia.com or at 719-1933.