Here’s How We Celebrated the Ones Who Always Show Up
Because every successful meeting starts with someone who made it happen behind the scenes.
It’s easy to overlook the ones who quietly keep everything running—scheduling, arranging, following up, and fixing last-minute hiccups without ever asking for credit. This year, HUONE Singapore decided it was time to change that.
Assistant Day was created to celebrate the often-unnoticed efforts of executive and personal assistants. More than just a seminar, it was a heartfelt thank you—a space to recognise their daily hustle, share stories, and remind them that they’re not alone in the challenges they face.
It Started with a Simple Idea: “Let’s Celebrate Them.”
The idea behind Assistant Day was simple but meaningful: what if we gave back to those who always give so much to others?
HUONE’s team worked closely with SAAP (The Singapore Association of Administrative Professionals) and speakers to craft an afternoon that would feel both refreshing and empowering. The event brought together assistants from all industries—some attending their very first networking event, others seasoned pros.
And the energy in the room? Unmistakably warm. Laughter, note-taking, nods of agreement, and the occasional “That’s so me!” filled the space.
Real Talk, Real Takeaways
The day kicked off with a keynote by Dr Caroline Josephine Dawson, , who shared insights on “Effective Communication to Navigate Today’s Workplace” — from understanding our own communication styles to recognising and respecting the different ways others communicate.
One quote that stood out:
“Different strokes for different folks, what turns a person on may turn another fella off” – Dr Caroline Josephine Dawson
Then came the panel discussion—“Assistants of Tomorrow – Adapting, Thriving, and Leading”—featuring voices from both assistants and executives, including:
- Clément Parazon, VC and Startup Partnerships at Google
- Evon Blomstedt, Founder & CEO of HUONE – Moderator
- Grace Seow, Executive Secretary, Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd
- May Loh, Office Administrator, Embassy of Finland in Singapore
- Brendan Shashoua, Head of Sales – APAC, Lufthansa Group
Here are a few takeaways that stood out:
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Be open to change: The assistant role is evolving rapidly. Embracing new tools, workflows, and mindsets is key to staying ahead. Grace Seow shares her experience: “AI helps me work faster. To find background information about something, I only need 5 minutes with AI, while it can take a whole day without it.”
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Stay curious: Whether it’s learning new tech, understanding business strategy, or picking up industry lingo—curiosity helps you stay relevant and grow.
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Leverage AI—wisely: Brendan Shashoua reminded the audience that while AI can be incredibly helpful, it’s important to know the boundaries.“You need to be clear about what to share and what not to share with AI.” As assistants start integrating AI tools into their workflow, being mindful of data sensitivity is just as important as efficiency.
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Adopt AI as a supportive tool: May Loh emphasized that AI should be seen as an assistant, not a replacement. “We adopt AI as a supportive tool to help us work better — not to change who we are.” It’s about enhancing the human role, not erasing it.
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Focus on outcomes, not just tasks:
Brendan Shashoua reminded everyone of a simple but powerful principle:
“Your job isn’t just to get the task done—it’s to make sure the outcome is right. Always double-check before delivering.”
A Word from Our Leaders
Jay Yeo, CEO of HUONE Singapore, shared his thoughts about the event:
“Assistants are the quiet force that hold teams together. Today, we pause to say thank you—and to remind you of the power you hold.”
Evon Blomstedt, Founder & CEO of HUONE, also reflected on the purpose behind Assistant Day:
“I’m so excited to bring the Administrative Professionals Seminar to Singapore for the first time! This event isn’t just about celebrating assistants—it’s about giving them a platform to connect, get inspired, and grow in a fast-changing world of work. They’re the quiet force behind every successful team, and it’s time we shine a light on that.”
It Was Just the Beginning
As the day wrapped up, conversations continued long after the final session ended. New connections were made. Confidence was renewed. And more than a few attendees asked: “When’s the next one?”
The good news? This won’t be the last. HUONE is already planning more gatherings to support the community of assistants who show up every day—for their teams, their leaders, and now, for each other.
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