Have you contributed to the EA Salary Survey yet? They are building the most comprehensive and accurate data on salaries for administrative professionals in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada and they need to hear from you to make it happen! You can share your thoughts and experiences here.

Awards:

• 9th November: Strategic PA Network Awards 2026 ceremony. Nominations are open NOW, go go go!

🏆 And if you need a reminder why nominating yourself is important, read this. 🏆

Events:

• 28th May: EA How To, Microsoft Outlook for Assistants, more info here

• 1st-2nd June: Lucy Brazier, The Modern Day Assistant 2 day course, book here

• 4th June: EA How To, LinkedIn for EAs, register here

• 9th June: EA How To, How to stay connected on LinkedIn with Jodie Mears (I’m a big fan of hers!) Sign up here

• 11th June: Mums Buildings Companies, London Tech Week Panel with… 👏🏼 Mother Pukka, Sophia Jarvis, Olivia Davison, Inge Hunter and Lisa McFarlane 👏🏼 Full disclosure, I’m hosting this (I’m a co-founder) it’s at the Shard and it’s going to be amazing! Join us here brunch included!

• 12-13th June: Wellnergy Festival I have a discount to share 💸 Use the code Caroline5 for £5 off day tickets and £10 off 2-day tickets!

• 17th June: Strategic PA Network IRL coworking day + panel, I’m hosting this! And would love you to join. The panel is on what it really takes to build a successful VA business. More info and sign up here

• 18th June: EA How To, Intro to Gemini and the Gemini app, Register here

• 25th June: PA Forum, Roundtable Discussion, more info here

• 25th June: Strategic PA Network, AI isn’t Optional online power hour. Register here

• 30th June: EA How To, Fireside Chat with Lucy Brazier (big fan of her too!) Register here

• 14th July: Strategic PA Network, Lessons from the Poker table to help you raise your game, (how great does this sound?!) Register here

Conferences:

• 8th June: Strategic PA Network, Learning & Development Summit: Influence, Connect & Elevate. I’m speaking on 8th June as part of panel with Gilly Mulford, Kathy Soulsby - The "Messy Middle" & Scaling Success. Join us! Get your tickets here, it’s going to be a great day!

• 11-12th June: ES Global 2026, 24 hours of live learning, with over 20 international speakers and 30 days of replays. I’m giving a talk: Designing a Career in Executive Support on Your Own Terms, exploring what it means to take ownership of your career design. Join us here

• 15th June: Midlands VA Conference, see you there?

• 16th June: The Office Pro Show from the PA Forum team - more info released soon!

• 10-11th September: ES Tech: Turning tech into practical advantage, more info here

• 18-19th November: ES Thrive: Reset, reflect and strengthen your foundation for work more info here

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Lucy and I are partnering on a six episode miniseries of the Bump to Business Owner podcast - talking about motherhood, preparing your business for maternity leave, financial independence for women and how motherhood impacts all your relationships.

Our first two episodes are out now:

Mum Guilt, Leveraging Audiences and Making £23k in 48hrs

My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline

Now! Dates for your diary - lots of fabulous events coming up.

Awards:

• **30th April: UK VA Awards 2026 applications close. Quick! Get the application pack here**

• 9th November: Strategic PA Network Awards 2026 ceremony. Nominations are open now, go go go!

Events:

• TONIGHT: London VA Network, IRL meetup, last minute tickets here

• 28th April - 12th May: The Modern VA, Notion Fundamentals for VAs, book your spot here

• 29th April: Strategic PA Network x Amanda Johnson, London VA Co-working day, book here

• 1st May: EA How To, The AI for EAs Summit, all info and booking here

• 1st May: Strategic PA Network, Team Dynamics: Managing a Team of EAs, online, register here

• 3-5th May: Lottie Doherty, UK VA Retreat, Wales, business strategy, yoga, sounds amazing! More info here

• 8th May: Strategic PA Network, Personal Presence, Power & The Art of Influence as an EA, sign up here

• 14th May: Strategic PA Network, Developing Your Brand as an Assistant, in person, Windsor, register here

• 1st-2nd June: Lucy Brazier, The Modern Day Assistant 2 day course, book here

• 12-13th June: Wellnergy Festival I have a discount to share 💸 Use the code Caroline5 for £5 off day tickets and £10 off 2-day tickets!

Conferences:

• 14th April: Allbright/Everywoman Future Leaders Forum, get your delegate pass here

• 6th May: Manchester VA Conference, more info here

• 7th-8th June: Strategic PA Network, Learning & Development Summit: Influence, Connect & Elevate, get involved

• 11-12th June: ES Global: Insight, Influence, Impact, all the details here

• 15th June: Midlands VA Conference, see you there?

• 16th June: The Office Pro Show from the PA Forum team - more info released soon!

• 10-11th September: ES Tech: Turning tech into practical advantage, more info here

• 18-19th November: ES Thrive: Reset, reflect and strengthen your foundation for work more info here

Have you read the World Administrators Alliance 2026 Global Skills Matrix yet? It’s worth perusing - career pathways, job design, and organisational recognition, read it, share it with your leaders and get the appreciation and progression you deserve.

Read it here

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

Share this with your Assistant friends and spread the word about all these fantastic opportunities!

On a slightly more personal note, I’m championing the Strategic PA Network mentorship scheme. If you’re looking for guidance as a mentee, or feel like you’re in a position to pay it forward as a mentor, get in touch on hello@strategicpanetwork.com

As always, if you have an event, conference, mentorship programme that you want to include in The Agenda’s monthly digest - send me a message.

Awards:

• 28th February: Deadline for Midlands PA Awards entries. Info here

• 30th April: UK VA Awards 2026 applications close. Get the application pack here

Events/Upskilling:

• 18th February: EA How To, How AI is Shaping the EA Role in 2026, join here

• 19th February: The Assistant Room, Colleagues Unite: Maternity Leave online session, click here

• 26th February: The Assistant Room, Commercialising Your Value As An Assistant, info and booking here, it’s free!

• 10th & 17th March: Executive Support, Earn Your Microsoft AI Certification Badge, online training, all the info here

• 11th March: Strategic PA Network, Strategic Communication, IRL masterclass, book here

• 25th March: Hack The Future, get your team together and apply

• 3-5th May: Lottie Doherty, UK VA Retreat, Wales, business strategy, yoga, sounds amazing! More info here

• 1st-2nd June: Lucy Brazier, The Modern Day Assistant 2 day course, book here

Conferences:

• 25-26th February: The PA Show, book your spot as an exhibitor or attendee here

• 14th April: Allbright/Everywoman Future Leaders Forum, get your delegate pass here

• 6th May: Manchester VA Conference, more info here

• 7th-8th June: Strategic PA Network, Learning & Development Summit: Influence, Connect & Elevate, get involved

• 11-12th June: ES Global: Insight, Influence, Impact, all the details here

• 15th June: Midlands VA Conference, tickets will be released soon

• 16th June: The Office Pro Show from the PA Forum team - more info released soon!

• 10-11th September: ES Tech: Turning tech into practical advantage, more info here

• 18-19th November: ES Thrive: Reset, reflect and strengthen your foundation for work more info here

🚨N.B. The ES conferences are all on sale in Feb, so if you want to bag a ticket, get going!

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive admin and start up sales experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

A bumper edition today - lots of exciting dates for your diary for February and the next few months. 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year!

If you have an event/co-working/conference/whatever you’d like to share, drop me a message and I’ll include it in the next digest.

Awards:

• 29th January: Miss Jones Group Business Support Awards, info and tickets here 🏆 Voting is still open!

Events:

• 🚨TONIGHT 27th January🚨: London VA Network, South Meet Up, still a few free tickets available!

• 29th January: The Assistant Room, Commercialising your role as an Assistant online session, click here

• 29th January: EA How To, Fireside Chat with Opal Vadhan (former Assistant to HIlary Clinton👀) book your spot here!

• 30th January: Strategic PA Network, CV & Interview Skills Workshop, click here

• Throughout February: The PA Forum have a load of sector specific online networking events, more info on dates and sectors here

• 6th February: Rosie Nixon’s Success Reimagined day retreat in central London. More info and tickets here

• 12th February: EA How To, Cocktails & Conversations with me!🍸Join our online chat here, BYO cocktails very much encouraged

• 13th February: Strategic PA Network, Finding Your Voice with Confidence, Managing Up, love the sound of this!

• 18th February: EA How To, How AI is Shaping the EA Role in 2026, join here

• 19th February: The Assistant Room, Colleagues Unite: Maternity Leave online session, click here

• 26th February: The Assistant Room, Commercialising Your Value As An Assistant, info and booking here, it’s free!

• 3-5th May: Lottie Doherty, UK VA Retreat, Wales, business strategy, yoga, sounds amazing! More info here

Conferences:

• 25-26th February: The PA Show, book your spot as an exhibitor or attendee here

• 14th March: Midlands VA Conference SOLD OUT! Fingers crossed more tickets will be released soon

• 6th May: Manchester VA Conference, more info here

• 11-12th June: ES Global: Insight, Influence, Impact, all the details here

• 16th June: The Office Pro Show from the PA Forum team - more info released soon!

• 10-11th September: ES Tech: Turning tech into practical advantage, more info here

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Subscribe now

Speak soon,
Caroline x

What’s in the diary for January and beyond. As always, if you have an event, co-working or training coming up that you’d like me to include, send me a message with the details.

Awards:

• Nominations for the 10th Midlands PA Awards have just opened. 🏆 You can nominate yourself here. Reminder, you can nominate yourself (or someone else) for as many categories as you want, even if you’ve been a winner in the past.

• 20th January: The Midlands PA Awards launch party. Your free ticket includes a couple of welcome drinks and canapes 💃🏻

• 29th January: Miss Jones Group Business Support Awards, info and tickets here 🏆

Events:

• 16th January: School of Operations, 2026 Expansion Event; A full day of strategy and inspiration in Leicester, more info here

• 16th January: Strategic PA Network, Define, Deliver and Develop for 2026 success, online power hour, book here

• 19th - 22nd January: The Modern VA, AI & Tech Crash Course for VAs, more info here

• 22nd January: Strategic PA Network, Coaching Skills for Executive Assistants, book your spot here

• 22nd January: The Assistant Room, Colleagues Unite: Redundancy online session, click here

• 22nd January: Carve, EA vibe coding stories, register here

• 4th February: Strategic PA Network, How EAs quietly shape culture at the highest level, central London, book here

• 6th February: Rosie Nixon’s Success Reimagined day retreat in central London. More info and tickets here

• 11th February: The Assistant Room, Commercialising your role as an Assistant online session, click here

• 13th February: Strategic PA Network, Find your voice with confidence, managing up as an EA, online, book here

• 14th May: Society of Virtual Assistants, VA Lounge by the Sea, more info coming soon

Subscribe now

Conferences:

• 25-26th February: The PA Show, register your interest here

Looking for a new challenge this year? Want to work with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Events:

• 2nd December: Pally Talk, Marketing with no manual, for members - you can sign up here

• 4th December: Strategic PA Network panel Clients for Keeps: Building a sustainable client base - I’m hosting this! Along with coworking, sign up here

• 5th December: Strategic PA Network, online power hour Confident Communication: Mastering the four pillars for EAs with Nikki Wheeldon, join here

• 10th December: Strategic PA Network, Paralympic level resilience for the C-suite with gold medalist Naomi Riches MBE on your marks here

• 16th January: School of Operations, 2026 Expansion Event; A full day of strategy and inspiration in Leicester, more info here

• 29th January: The Assistant Room, Commercialising your role as an Assistant online session, click here

• Strategic PA Network are launching the 4th cohort of their Mentorship Programme, if you’re interested in joining (members only) email them

Awards:

• Nominations for the Miss Jones Business Support awards are now open, the ceremony is in January 2026, 🏆 nominate yourself!

• Nominations for the 10th Midlands PA Awards have just opened. 🏆 You can nominate yourself here. Reminder, you can nominate yourself (or someone else) for as many categories as you want, even if you’ve been a winner in the past.

• 20th January: The Midlands PA Awards launch party. Your free ticket includes a couple of welcome drinks and canapes 💃🏻

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

What’s in the diary for October. As always, if you have an event, coworking or training coming up that you’d like me to include, send me a message with the details!

Awards:

• 31st October: Nominations for the Miss Jones Business Support awards close. The ceremony is in January 2026, nominate yourself!

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards, still a few tickets here

Events/training:

• 13th November: PA Forum The Importance of Networking online event, tickets here

• 18th November: London VA Network meet up, tickets include a goody bag!

• 19th November: Carve, The Mindset Every EA Needs to Win in the Age of AI online event, tickets here

• 20th November: Strategic PA Network Building Resilience as an Executive Assistant online event, register here

• 26th November: Strategic PA Network The Art of Connection: Strengthening Teams in person event with wreath making in Buckinghamshire, tickets here

• 4th December: Strategic PA Network panel Clients for Keeps: Building a sustainable client base - I’m hosting this! Along with coworking, sign up here

• 13th Jan - 24th Feb: Carve AI are teaching a 7 week AI advanced course, sign up here
  

Subscribe now

Conferences:

• 3-5th November: EA Ignite, in Nashville Tennessee! Tickets here

• 14-15th November: Executive Support Live, tickets here

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates.

ICYMI: You can find the full recap of the podcast miniseries I made especially for the Assistant Industry here. And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

What’s in the diary for October. As always, if you have an event, coworking or training coming up that you’d like me to include, send me a message with the details!

Awards:

• 2nd October: East Midlands PA Awards, tickets here

• 17th October: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards, tickets here

• Nominations for the Miss Jones Business Support awards are now open, the ceremony is in January 2026, nominate yourself!

Events:

• 2nd October: Bump to Business Owner podcast - Assistant miniseries episode 2: How to find clients. (Bit cheeky to call it an event I know, but make sure you’re subscribed to listen)

• 6th October: PA Forum, The AI Advantage: Personalising OneNote (members only) sign up here

• 15th October: Strategic PA Network, CV & Interview success online workshop, tickets here

• 15th October: PA Forum, The Importance of Networking (members only, but recommended!) register here

• 15th October: Pally Talks, Marketing With No Manual (members only) sign up here

• 22nd October: Carve, So How Can You Actually Use AI As An EA?, free online workshop, register here

• 4th December: Strategic PA Network panel Clients for Keeps: Building a sustainable client base - I’m hosting this! Along with coworking, sign up here
  

Subscribe now

Conferences:

• 17th October: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

• 3-5th November: EA Ignite, in Nashville Tennessee! Tickets here

• 14-15th November: Executive Support Live, tickets here

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Awards:

• 2nd October: East Midlands PA Awards, tickets here

• 17th October: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards, tickets are now up!

Events:

• 18th September: Strategic PA Network - Conquering Your Virtual Assistant Challenges: Share, Learn and Grow. Register here

• 18th September: Founder Mums Networking & 1st Birthday on a Twickenham rooftop terrace 🤩 - I’m biased, I’m speaking as part of the panel. See you there!

• 25th September: PA Forum, Find Your Voice in person workshop, FREE tickets here

• 29th September: Strategic PA Network - AI Automation to Transform Your Workflow, tickets here

Conferences:

• 17th October: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

• 14-15th November: Executive Support Live, tickets here

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates 

And if you haven’t already - let me know on last week’s poll what you want me to talk about in the September edition of the newsletter. I want your input!

Speak soon,
Caroline x

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards - open for nominations. I’m on the judging panel this year, very appropriately, for Networker of the Year. Get nominating!

Events:

• 1st July: Strategic PA Network co-working in central London. Get in touch if you’d like to come along

Conferences:

• 11th July: PA Forum Learning & Development Conference, Coventry. Tickets here

• October 2025: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

We’ll be taking a break from our Dates For Your Agenda next month as everyone slows down and concentrates on ice lollies and outdoors time. If you have an event coming up in September and beyond, send me a message and we’ll include it when we’re back at the end of August

My usual monthly newsletter will be dropping in your inbox towards the end of July, enjoy the sun (hopefully!) til then.

Speak soon,
Caroline x

Subscribe now

• 16th June: Deadline for Everywoman awards applications, nominations are open

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards - open for nominations. I’m on the judging panel this year, very appropriately, for Networker of the Year. Get nominating!

Events:

• 18th June: Strategic PA Network Development Summit, business growth, networking and personal development (And I’m speaking: Strategic Growth for your VA Business) Get your tickets here

• 1st July: Strategic PA Network co-working in central London. Get in touch if you’d like to come along

Conferences:

• October 2025: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

Fancy working with Upsource?! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates 

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Speak soon,
Caroline x

Subscribe now

• 30th April TOMORROW: The UK VA Awards nominations close

• City AM PA Awards: nominations are open!

• May (ceremony): Miss Jones Business Support Awards - nominations are open

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards are open for nominations

Events:

• 9th May: Strategic PA Network are hosting their 10 Years of Networking Celebration Showcase. You might think that networking isn’t for Assistants, but I can assure you, it IS! 

• 21st May: Pally Talks birthday party, drinks and networking for Assistants. Get your tickets here.

• 18th June: Strategic PA Network’s Development Summit. SUCH a great event - and I’m speaking as part of a panel on strategic growth for your VA business. See you there!

I have a whole newsletter about networking coming next month, and why it is SO important for Assistants, not only the people we’re assisting. Make sure you’re subscribed

Subscribe now

Conferences:

• 16th May: North East Virtual Assistant Conference. Tickets still available

• October 2025: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are open

Upsource is getting busier! We have some excellent clients looking for amazing, experienced, proactive administrative experts. If that’s you, fill in this form and we’ll be in touch!

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like me to shout about? Send me a message and I’ll add it to next month’s dates 

And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss out on next month’s important dates for your diary.

Remember: it is encouraged/expected that you nominate yourself, don’t wait for someone else to!

• 30th April: The UK VA Awards deadline for nominations

• May (ceremony): Miss Jones Business Support Awards - nominations are open

• 3rd November (ceremony): Strategic PA Network awards - open for nominations

Events:

• 9th May: Strategic PA Network are hosting their 10 Years of Networking Celebration Showcase. You might think that networking isn’t for Assistants, but I can assure you, it IS!

Conferences:

• 16th May: North East Virtual Assistant Conference. Tickets still available

• October 2025: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are now open, I’ll see you there

If you have an upcoming event that you’d like me to share with the community, send me a message and let me know👇🏼

• 26-27th February: The PA Show. I’ll be giving 2 talks on the second day, this is one of my favourite events of the year, don’t miss it!

• 14th March: Midlands VA Show. Tickets are on sale now

• October 2025: VA Conference and Awards. Ticket sales are now open, I’ll see you there!

Awards

Remember: it is encouraged/expected that you nominate yourself, don’t wait for someone else to!

• Nominations are open for the Miss Jones Business Support Awards

• 30th April: The UK VA Awards deadline for nominations

Other events/co-working/news

• 6th March: The Strategic PA Network are hosting the first of 4 VA focused Learning & Development co-working sessions for their VA Membership (which includes a monthly Power Hour). If you’re interested DM me for more details, and a connect on this 😉

Make sure you’re subscribed to keep up with all the Assistant industry news I’m sharing. And get in touch if you have something you’d like me to share!

Subscribe now