SecsintheCity

WIN Dinner for Two at Brasserie Blanc with Avenueto

 

 

Win a prize each month with Avenueto

Until May 2013 we'll be having a competition each month for you to win something special from one of our members. The competitions are open to all, and the answer will be found somewhere within the avenueto.co.uk website.

 

This month’s prize is dinner for two with wine up to £70.00 at Brasserie Blanc (redeemable at any London Brasserie)

 

 

"I am often asked what a Brasserie Blanc is. Well if the Manoir is a delicate waltz then the Brasseries are the Can Can. For sure, this is not a place for refined haute cuisine and three course meals. Rather, Brasserie Blanc is a place for relaxed enjoyment where I can offer you simple, high quality food that comes as close as possible to the meals that my mother prepared for me at home in Besancon and at a price that encourages you to visit us regularly. The real origins of French brasseries are lost in time and probably in several litres of beer but nowadays in France they are the bastions of good eating and drinking, locally and informally. I want my Brasserie Blancs to be a central part of the local community where you can have fun and enjoy particularly good food. So sit back and relax"

- Raymond Blanc

 

At Brasserie Blanc we love a party! We can accommodate large groups at all our Brasseries and several have beautiful dining rooms. All events are supported by a great team and fabulous food.

Holding an event at Brasserie Blanc is a unique and special experience. With venues in Georgian townhouses, theatrical bars and the majestic splendour of medieval halls, Brasserie Blanc can host events ranging from private celebrations and weddings through to conferences and corporate events. Each event is unique and we will work with you to ensure that every detail exceeds your expectations whilst remaining within your budget. Choose from one of our events menus specially created by Raymond Blanc or work with our team to create a bespoke menu. We can cater for anything from a canapés reception with mouth-watering bite-sized tarts and succulent oysters through to a seated banquet featuring some of Brasserie Blanc’s signature dishes such as roast rack of Southdown lamb and free-range Cornish fillet steak.

We can also help you with the finishing touches to your event from arranging AV equipment, a DJ or a late licence for those extra special events.

It is never too early to contact us to discuss your event and we’ll be happy to talk to you about your requirements and wish-list. Just visit www.brasserieblanc.com to contact your local venue. 

 

 

COMPETITION

WIN Dinner for two with wine up to £70.00 at any of our London Brasseries

Click here and answer the question to be in with a chance to win

 

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    

To find a new PA opportunity, search and apply for your ideal role on SecsintheCity 

 

Join us at LCCI Life to WIN a Trip to Dubai

LCCI Life is a unique event for PAs and Event Organisers, our second showcase is being held at The Barbican on Monday 15 October. 

You will have the opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues; indulge in delicious canapés and champagne whilst meeting with 70 of London's top venues, travel agents and corporate gift companies in a fantastic, relaxed and informal setting.

There will also be the opportunity on the night for one lucky attendee to WIN the fantastic prize of trip to Dubai. 

                  

Our prize giver Gulf Air has put together an amazing city break to the cosmopolitan city of Dubai for one lucky winner.

We hope to see you at LCCI Life, it could be you that WINS the fantastic trip to Dubai, all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is book and attend the showcase! 

Plus each attendee will leave with a fantastic goody bag stuffed full of goodies and offers! 

Monday has never looked so good!

 

Event Details

When: Monday 15 October 2012, 6.00pm - 9.00pm
At: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London,

    

 Click here to book

Please note LCCI PA Club events are STRICTLY for PAs and professional in-house event organisers only, event registrations will only be accepted if a full corporate email address is provided 

                                       
      

WIN an iPad with Avery at *office

Avery Makes Labelling Easy at Office*..... 

Visit Avery on stand 1048 at this year’s Office Show, 12-13 September and you’ll be rewarded with some fantastic free sample packs showcasing Avery’s range of labelling solutions and the chance to win an iPad.  

Choosing the right label for the right job is easier than ever before. The Avery labels range is organised into Labels for Letters, Labels for Parcels & Packaging, Organising & Filing Labels, Multipurpose Labels, Marking Labels, Protection & Security Labels and DataMedia Labels. Whether you have letters to mail, parcels to package or files to organise, Avery has all your office needs covered. 

While you’re at the stand, why not see if you can guess how many labels are on Avery’s super-organised office desk? You could win an iPad! 

Avery will also be on hand to tell you all about how they’re rewarding busy office workers with vouchers for some of the nation’s best loved brands, simply by purchasing Avery products. If you really can’t wait for the show to find out more, just look inside special Avery Rewards promotional packs to find your unique code and start treating yourself to some retail therapy or a once in a lifetime experience by signing up at www.averyrewards.co.uk.  

  ******

 

See you at *Office?  

Well' be at stand 2033 for a chat. Hope to see you there

 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, search and apply for your ideal role on SecsintheCity.

Have you entered for the SecsintheCity PA of the Year?

By Marion Lowrence

Marion Lowrence is an award winning PA winning both ‘Yorkshire PA of the Year’ and runner up ‘PA of the Year’ for Executive PA Magazine in 2011.  Marion has worked in various administration and management roles over the last 27 years.  This has included working for the Civil Service and the NHS before joining her current role as a senior PA in the higher education sector in Yorkshire. She is PA to the CEO and oversees the smooth running of the company.  Marion has presented to various groups of PAs and she loves to network both in person and through social media continually promoting the profession.  She has set up a network for the senior PAs in Yorkshire’s universities and is in the process of setting up her own region-wide network for all PAs and VAs in Yorkshire.

Why should I enter?  What difference does an award make?  It is not worth all the hassle!  I do not deserve an award.

I would have asked these questions and made these statements a couple of years ago but now I encourage all PAs to have a go.  If nothing else it makes you think about where you are in your career, how you are progressing and above all where you want to be. It highlights what your boss and team members think of your contributions to the company and has a real feel-good factor. 

If you write down all the things you have achieved over the last year you will probably be surprised at how you have progressed.  Have you gone above and beyond your role?  Have you run a special project which has benefited the company?  Have you introduced a new system that has helped the business?  Are you an all rounder that the company relies on?  These are all good reasons to be proud of your achievements and great examples for entering for an award.

PAs work hard and we take for granted we are just doing a job and forget about the special skills we bring to a team.  PAs are a special breed.  They live and breathe a business.  They know what is going on and they are often the face and voice for their company.

Since winning my awards my whole career has taken on a new direction and I embrace every minute of it.  It gave me the confidence to follow my goals and my dreams in my career.  I am on a mission to help others PAs to think along the same lines.  I am no different to you; I have just been recognised for it.  I have now gained more knowledge in my field, made fantastic new connections and enjoy the new networking opportunities.

I have started a PA network within the universities in Yorkshire and this has proved successful providing an opportunity for the PAs to meet each other and share good practice.  I have also been approached by different companies to speak about my experiences and share my knowledge with other groups of PAs around the region and in London.  I found the thought of public speaking the most daunting experience of my life.  However, it has opened up my horizons and given me the chance to do things that have never been possible before I was an award winning PA.  I have stepped out of my comfort zone and it is now paying off.

My biggest achievement has been starting my own company alongside my role at Yorkshire Universities.  My company is called The PA Hub and its main purpose was to start a PA network in Yorkshire where PAs can meet and learn in an informal environment.  It is hard work but the positive feedback is keeping me going.  I will be launching the company in the next few months and I feel so positive about my career which I can honestly say was initiated by winning the awards.

Here are some of the things that have happened for me since winning:

• I guest blog for Secs in the City
• I have been asked to run and set up a PA day at the Conference & Hospitality Show in Leeds in April 2013 (the biggest show of its kind in the North)
• I have set up a network for the senior PAs within the universities of Yorkshire
• I have spoken at events in the Yorkshire region and London
• I have joined lots of networking groups which are great for meeting new people and sharing good practice
• I get invited to many shows and events

The most exciting invitation so far was being asked to speak at a PA conference in Moscow in October this year.  I was amazed at being asked to do this and gladly accepted this exciting opportunity.  I will be travelling and attending the conference with other speakers who I look up to but I now realise I am one of those speakers!  Not sure how I got here and not sure how things will progress but I do know none of it would be happening without the awards I won in 2011.  They give you the recognition you deserve - so go on and get that award nomination form completed.  It could be you next.

Award categories:

• PA of the Year
• Legal PA of the Year
• Team PA of the Year

 

We welcome nominations from all PAs, EAs and Secretaries and their bosses - SecsintheCity

Closing date: Friday 24^th August 2012

Please note that nominees must be available to attend the awards dinner on Thursday 25 October 2012.

 

To enter click here

 

Does your boss have a certain “je ne sais quoi”? asks Executive PA Magazine

Corporate Traveller, sponsor of the 2012 Executive PA Magazine | Hays 'Boss of the Year' award , are offering this year's winner a weekend break for two with travel via Eurostar. This category is where we ask PAs to nominate their boss for being inspirational, making you feel valued and for generally for being an outstanding person to work for.

If you think your boss should win this prestigious title and accompany you to the 2012 Executive PA Magazine | Hays awards gala dinner at the London Film Museum, send in your nomination now. 

Previous Awards

The Executive PA Magazine Awards is an annual event and each year has been a massive success. The 2012 Executive PA Magazine| Hays Awards is set to be the best yet. View the video from the 2011 Awards here. 

 

View what Executive PA Magazine readers say about the Awards

For terms and conditions and how to nominate visit: Executive PA Magazine | Hays 2012 Awards Entry Page

 

                       

 

Are you entering? Who are you nominating? Do let us know.

WIN a meal for two at new-look Pizza Express Bishopsgate

 

PizzaExpress is celebrating the launch of its exciting new-look restaurant at 232 Bishopsgate in the City of London by offering a fabulous prize of a meal for two to the value of £50. All you have to do is send an email, with the heading “PizzaExpress Bishopsgate,” to Bishopsgate.Manager@pizzaexpress.com before 22 June and the lucky winner will be contacted a few days later.   

This popular PizzaExpress restaurant, based at Bishopsgate for over 10 years, has undergone an extensive refurbishment, reopening on 19 June. Manager Chris Dini said: “We believe it will make a big difference, as the environment will be much more welcoming and brighter.”

 

For more information, contact Charli Garner, GAB Consultancy, on 07736 456357 or at: charli@gabconsultancy.co.uk

 

Founded in 1965 by Peter Boizot, PizzaExpress' first restaurant opened its doors in Wardour Street, London. Every pizza is handmade, prepared in an open kitchen. 

                          

What's your favourite pizza?

 

Get 25% off your food bill at Pizza Express Bishops gate until 31 August with this voucher

 

To find a new PA opportunity, click here 

Icebar by Icehotel - Yet another reason to enter SecsintheCity PA of the Year

Icebar by Icehotel has joined our circle of sponsors for this year's SecsintheCity Awards

Prize: Dinner in Ice Bar and Ice Bar experience for 2

Literally London’s coolest venue for Christmas parties....

belowzero restaurant + lounge and ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL London is completely unique. Situated in the heart of Mayfair, we can accommodate 25 to 270 guests and complement your event creatively with husky dogs and hostesses to greet guests, bespoke ice sculptures or exclusive signature cocktails chosen by you. ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL London is the UK's only permanent bar made of ice and is kept at - 5 ° degrees year round.

Tailor made for Christmas; our warm areas also embrace the winter weather. Get in touch for a no obligation quote – email events@belowzerolondon.com.

         

SecsintheCity 'Social Networking PA of the Year'

Social Media has revolutionised the way the way we communicate. It is an effective way to keep abreast of the latest news in your industry, support your employer and…get ahead. 

Having a social media profile and blogging on sites like increases your online visibility, enhances your personal brand and demonstrates the skills and experience on your CV to your current boss as well as potential employers. 

 

If you haven’t got a Twitter account, you aren’t a blogger for SecsintheCity and haven’t LIKEd our Facebook page it’s a good time to get started because we’re on the lookout for nominees for our Social Networking PA of the Year Award. 

 

4 nominees will selected by our Social Media Editor on following criteria: 

 

Your Kred Influence Score:

Click here to view your current Kred Influence score

Hint: the more PA s who follow you, mention you, click on your shared links and re tweet you, the better your score will be.

 

 

Your Kred Outreach rating:

Click here to view your current Kred outreach rating

Hint: mention, follow and re tweet more PAs and Head Honchos (bosses)

 

 

RTs @SecsintheCity and @Secsjobs

How often you re tweet @SecsintheCity  and @Secsjobs  Hint: Follow @SecsintheCity and @SecsJobs, and re tweet your favourite jobs and blog posts

 

Blog posts written from (date of the publishing the post) until 24^th August

You can submit a maximum of one post per week (max total =. 11 posts)

 

Blog views:

How many views your blog posts have received in total by the 1 September 2012.

 

Use of #SecsintheCity

You can earn extra points for tweeting (url to the Awards Blog #SITCAwards

 

LIKE and Comment on SecsintheCity’s Facebook page

How much you engage with us on our Facebook page.

 

Our Editor will short list 4 finalists who will be invited to attend the Awards, and 1 winner will be selected by our panel of judges.

 

If you have any questions about this category, please email our Social Media Editor at: aminah.khan@tmdr.com

 

SecsintheCity PA of the Year – this could be YOU

With so many outstanding PAs on SecsintheCity, we’ve decided to celebrate your expertise and professionalism, so we’re holding our first PA of the Year Awards.

 

We’re looking for talented PAs/EAs and Secretaries to enter the SecsintheCity PA of the Year Awards 2012. We’ll also nominate the most social media savvy of you for a special ‘on trend’ category.

 

The winners will be announced at the Awards dinner on Thursday October 25^th 2012 at London’s prestigious The Ivy Restaurant.

 

To enter, simply tell us about your role and experience. We have the following categories: 

• PA of the Year
• Legal PA of the Year
• Team PA of the Year

We welcome nominations from all PAs, EAs and Secretaries as well as their bosses.

 

Social Networking PA of the Year

We also have a separate award for Social Networking PA of the Year, in recognition of the changing role of the PA and the importance and associated benefits of raising your profile and that of your employers within social media.  

Read more about how you could be eligible for this unique award here. 

 

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to the awards dinner at The Ivy....and there are some fabulous prizes to be won. 

 

Make 2012 your year to get recognised; submit your nomination today.

 

The deadline for nominations is Friday 24^th August 2012.

 

Please note that nominees must be available to attend the awards dinner on Thursday 25 October 2012.

 

SecsintheCity PA of the Year is sponsored by:

  

 

                                         

 

                                                              

 

 

Have you entered yet? Which category? 

WIN A Trip to New York with Avenueto

The traffic, the noise, the bustle, the shopping, the food, the landmarks, the shopping!

It's time for another great competition from Avenueto.co.uk Take yourself and a loved one off to the city that never sleeps for three fun-filled nights in New York. Grab a hot dog in Times Square, pretend to be Meg Ryan at the top of the Empire State bulding or Carrie Bradshaw in Greenwich. This is the city that truly has it all.

Take a bite out of the Big Apple and enter our competition to win a holiday for two to New York courtesy of British Airways, Wexas Travel and Gramercy Park Hotel. Departing from London Heathrow on British Airways in World Traveller Plus, your three nights in New York will be at the fabulous four star Gramercy Park Hotel located in the heart of Manhattan.

Avenueto.co.uk is a an easy to use website to help you find the perfect venue, whatever your requirements, whether you are searching for somewhere near a specific location, with outside space or even somewhere capable of staging an awards ceremony....and could be your ticket to NYC this year. 

 

To enter  simply search Avenueto.co.uk for the answer to this question:

“What is the name of the Michelin starred chef at Crowne Plaza London – The City?” 

Then click here to submit your answer. 

A shortlist of ten names will be drawn on  Friday 18 May.  If you make the shortlist you will be invited along with one guest to th LCCI PA Club fourth Birthday Party on Monday 28 ay where the final draw will be carried out and the winner announced!

Good Luck! 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

Join in to be a stellar PA during the games & you could WIN Olympic tickets

WEBINAR: 'How PA's can keep their businesses on track during the Games' 

Sign up to Enter a prize draw for a pair of London Olympic tickets

BT Conferencing and Cisco invite you to an exclusive lunch time Webinar on Thursday 17th May at 12:30 hrs, where you will receive top tips to help you outperform in your role as PA when it comes to keeping your business running during the Olympic Games and have the opportunity to ask questions, share your ideas and learnings, and gain inspiration from an Olympic athlete. 

 

Speakers inlude: 

 

Rosemary Parr, Founder and Director of the GPAN (Global PA Network) will talk about the role of today's PA's in helping business continuity during the Games. Rosemary is currently one of the Youth Unemployment Mentors at BBC Radio 5 Live and she will share some learning. 

 

Laura Creed, BT Channel Partner Manager, will follow with a short overview of how to make the most of collaboration tools to help in planning your offices and meetings during the games.  

 

 

Leon Taylor, Olympic Top Platform Diver will talk about his inspiring career as an Olympic athlete. He will give us a unique insight into what it is like to be in the country hosting an Olympic games. 

 

Webinar Schedule: 

• 12:30 hrs BST - Welcome
• 12:35 hrs BST - Leon Taylor 
• 12:50 hrs BST - Rosemary Parr
• 13:05 hrs BST - Laura Creed
• 13:15 hrs BST - Q&A
• 13:30 hrs BST - Close

The webinar will be closed with a Q&A session and an opportunity for you, as a community of PA's, to share your learning and preparation ideas leading up to the London 2012 games. 

Spaces are limited, so register now to confirm your attendance to this exclusive event today.

Escape from the office with Avery Rewards

Do you often work late and right through your lunch break? Do you check your emails before you're even awake in the morning and last thing before going to bed at night? Ever feel like you just cannot detach from your work? If the answer is yes, well you’re not alone. New research carried out by Avery Office & Consumer Products has revealed that the UK is a nation of workaholics, with nearly half of us worrying about work in our spare time and almost two thirds working at times when we feel we shouldn’t have to.

The research, which was commissioned to support the launch of the Avery Rewards promotion, found that the average UK worker spends 1 hour 13 minutes working outside of their contracted hours every single day – that’s more than half a day a week, or 24 extra days a year! Indeed, more than a tenth of UK office workers feel they have to be constantly available to their boss and 18% say work is often their first waking thought, while a fifth claim to check their emails before they even get out of bed. It seems that respite isn’t easily gained away from the office either with nearly half of us finding it hard not to think about work during our free time, and over a quarter of us making work to-do lists or presentations while at home. 

Such staggering statistics reveal  that most of us need to take time out to treat ourselves and escape from the office, luckily Avery Rewards is here to help busy office workers do just that. Throughout 2012 Avery will be rewarding workers with instantly redeemable vouchers for some of the nation’s best loved brands. All you have to do is simply purchase Avery products in the usual way, find your unique code inside the pack and log on to www.averyrewards.co.uk  to start treating yourself. You can even store your codes up and splash out on something special.

Whether you choose to escape with a Red Letter experience, a new outfit from New Look, the latest music and film releases from HMV or a treat from Boots or Marks & Spencer, Avery Rewards is designed to remind hard working office staff that they deserve a little treat. Alternatively office workers can choose to use their codes to make donations to one of Avery’s chosen charities. 

And that’s not all! By registering your codes on www.averyrewards.co.uk you will automatically be entered into Avery’s exciting quarterly prize draw. This quarter you could win a designer handbag and shoes worth over £1,500.

If it’s time you treated yourself to a little escapism, log on to www.averyrewards.co.uk for more details. 

 

 

To find a new PA, EA or Secretarial opportunity, search and apply on SecsintheCity

Enter 'PA of the Year' for your chance to win the ultimate Arabian break

This year Executive PA Magazine has joined forces with Hays and the Executive PA Magazine | Hays 'PA Awards' are now open for nominations.

The prize for PA of the Year, is an Arabian Break, courtesy of Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah and Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai Conservation Desert.

To be in with a chance of winning the ultimate Arabian break, nominate yourself or another PA who has been working as a PA for four years or more.  

 

The Prize

The winner will enjoy five nights in UAE for them and a guest; three nights in an Executive Suite at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah, UAE and two nights in a Bedouin Suite at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai Conservation Desert, UAE.

This great prize includes return flights and complimentary transfers between the two resorts.

Click here to enter/nominate

 

Previous Awards

The Executive PA Magazine Awards is an annual event and each year has been a massive success. The 2012 Executive PA Magazine| Hays Awards is set to be the best yet. View the video from the 2011 Awards here. 

View what Executive PA Magazine readers say about the Awards

For terms and conditions and how to nominate visit: Executive PA Magazine | Hays 2012 Awards Entry Page

 

                       

 

Are you entering? Who are you nominating? Do let us know.

Win yourself a meal for two with a bottle of wine at Balls Brothers London

Balls Brothers Minister Exchange

Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP, London

Nearest tube station: Monument, Bank, Tower Hill, Fenchurch Street

 

The conference facilities at Balls Brothers Minster Exchange have been given a stunning makeover as part of the redevelopment of the Balls Brothers site....

Following on from a £500,000 refurbishment back in October of the venue, the conference rooms have been given a new lease of life with a £250,000 investment, creating a multi-use space, perfect for any type of event in the city of London.

The facilities come equipped with wi-fi, full AV system, projector, lighting system, private bar, plus a full event management service provided by the dedicated in-house events team, meaning all conference needs can be catered for.

From breakfast seminars for 50, daytime workshops for 100, through to evening events with DJ and dance floor, Minster Exchange Conference facilities are the perfect destination for any event including birthday parties, corporate events and city weddings.

All food options can be catered for, from breakfast, lunch and evening meal with sit-down and buffet options.

The venue will be closing its doors on 9th January and re-opening on  23^rd January with a series of special events to welcome visitors, both current and new, all keen to see the new and improved, conference facilities at Balls Brothers Minster Exchange.

 

To WIN yourself a meal for two with a bottle of wine at Balls Brothers, take part in our poll on facebook or twitter

Images © Balls Brothers

  *T&Cs 

• Meal for two includes: 2 starters or 2 desserts, 2 x main courses
• Winners can choose between 1 bottle of house red and 1 bottle of house white.
• The winner will be entitled to a maximum spend of £25 for 2 people 
• Prize must be claimed by 30/03/2012
• Prize can be claimed for Lunch or Dinner during open hours on any day – subject to any closures at the discretion of the outlet
• Competition closes at 5pm on Monday 20th February. Entries received after this date will not be accepted.
• Winners will be declared by 12noon on Tuesday 21st February. 
• To claim your prize, please email your contact number to marketing@tmdr.com  with ‘SITC Competition’ in the subject line  
• To enter, you must take part in the poll on facebook or on twitter* (*including  #SITCBB)
• To qualify, entrants must be 18+ and be a PA, EA, Secretary or official Event organiser in the UK.
• The prize winner will be selected at random from among the poll participants
• Only one entry per person.
• SecsintheCity and the Walkabout are not liable for any transportation and other related to the meal.
• The prize is non transferable 

Win a meal for two at Walkabout – London’s ‘new’ dual concept venue

Walkabout Temple is undergoing an £800,000 refurbishment being transformed in to a dual-concept venue, where there will be an opening extravaganza with a series of events.

Celebrate Australia Day in the City on January 26^th with the grand unveiling of the new look Walkabout. 

The venue will be split into two rooms: the Walkabout Room with live bands and the best party music in town, and the new Temple Beach Club where London revellers will get to experience the coolest tracks and best cocktails. Temple Beach Club is the new late night bar and club room with a delicious cocktail list to suit the laid back beach-style vibe. 

Walkabout remains London’s best sports, live music and party venue, albeit with a new shiny edge: The addition of booth seating means guests can sit back and relax.The 135 cover restaurant is also the perfect place to tuck into our awesome Aussie food. 

Opening Schedule:

• Thursday 26^th January – Celebrate Australia Day in Style with live music 

• Friday 27^th January – kicks off the regular retro fever Friday night with an entertainment feast. Think fire-eaters, stilt walkers, Robbie Williams and Michael Jackson tributes then the main man himself DJ Mr T will be pumping out the very best in music from across the decades

• Monday 30^th January – Monday Madness sets in with London’s biggest Monday night party and international DJs

• Thursday 2^nd February – Happy Thursday’s kicks off for the mid-week party crowd with free entry all night and happy hour prices until 9pm. Not only that, karaoke fans get to sing with our live band so you can belt out the legendary classics X-factor style (without the nasty judging panel).

• Saturday 4^th February – The launch party for our regular Saturday Beach Party. Anyone from the land of Australia or those used to hotter climates can get a taste of the exotic here in London. There will be fire eaters, dancers and live music from one of London’s best cover bands Brainscape

To win yourself a meal for two at Walkabout, enter our competition below: 

Facebook:

Tell us how many events you planned last year, in the comments section on  SecsintheCity

OR

Twitter:

How many events did you plan last year? Tweet your magic number @SecsintheCity using the hashtag #SITCWA

 

Images © Walkabout

 

 *T&Cs 

• The winner will be entitled to a maximum spend of £50 for 2 people
• Offer valid on food and drink (provided drinks are ordered along with food)
• Prize must be claimed by 29/02/2012
• Prize can be claimed for Lunch or Dinner during open hours on any day – subject to any closures at the discretion of the outlet
• Competition closes at 5pm on Monday 23^rd January. Winners will be declared by 3pm Tuesday 24th January. 
• To claim your prize, please email your contact number to marketing@tmdr.com  with ‘SITC Competition’ in the subject line  
• To enter, you must post your answer below the question on facebook thread or respond to this question on twitter using the #SITCPG
• To qualify, entrants must be 18+ and be a PA, EA, Secretary or official Event organiser in the UK.
• The prize winner will be selected at random from the comments on the SecsintheCity facebook page and tweets @SecsintheCity
• Only one entry per person.
• SecsintheCity and the Walkabout are not liable for any transportation and other related to the meal.
• The closing date for entries is before 5pm on Monday 23^rd January. Entries received after this date will not be accepted.
• The prize is non transferable

Win yourself a meal for two at Papa G's Bar and Grill

Papa G's Bar and Grill, Manchester 

The Printworks
27 Withy Grove
Manchester
M4 2BS

Papa G's culinary specialities bring more than just a little Mediterranean sunshine to the plates and palates of diners in Manchester. We’ve embraced the old traditions of Greek and Mediterranean cooking passed down through generations so our guests get to enjoy cooking at its best. All grilled foods are cooked on real charcoal, as it’s been done for centuries, for maximum flavour. Coupled with a menu of Greek favourites, including melt –in-your-mouth Beef Stifado, Kleftiko, chargrilled Soulvaki skewers, Mary’s Ribs, homemade pizzas and speciality crepes, you’ll find our menu pretty special too.

                                                

We offer an excellent value lunch menu, priced at £6.45 for one course or £8.95 for two courses. They’re all freshly cooked and hand-prepared by our chefs, especially for you.

We also have private hire facilities complete with wifi and projector screens complete with private bar plus large booth seating for more relaxed dining.

Think of Papa G’s as ‘G’astronomy heaven with ‘G’enerous portions of authentic Greek and Mediterranean dishes all made with the best quality ingredients. Sit back and relax with us. We want you to share our passion for great food whilst having fun.

To Enter: 

Describe your current PA job in one 1 line

Answer must be posted on our facebook page (click here) or tweeted @SecsintheCity using #SITCPG

 

*T&Cs 

 

• To be considered, entry must be posted below the facebook post here:  or tweeted @SecsintheCity   
• The winner will be entitled to a maximum spend of £40 for 2 people
• Offer valid on food only.
• Prize must be claimed by 31st July 2012
• Prize can be claimed for Lunch or Dinner during open hours on any day – subject to any closures at the discretion of the outlet
• Competition closes at 5pm on Thursday 12^th January. Winners will be declared by 3 pm Friday 13th January. 
• To claim your prize, please email your contact number to kelly@gabconsultancy.co.uk with ‘SITC Competition’ in the subject line  
• To enter, you must post your answer below the question on facebook thread or respond to this question on twitter using the #SITCPG
• To qualify, entrants must be 18+ and be a PA, EA or Secretary in the UK.
• The prize winner will be selected at random from the comments on the SecsintheCity facebook page and tweets @SecsintheCity
• Only one entryper person.
• SecsintheCity and the Papa G’s are not liable for any transportation and other related to the meal.
• The closing date for entries is before 5pm on Thursday 12^th January. Entries received after this date will not be accepted.
• The prize is non transferable
• This competition is run by SecsintheCity, a website for Career PAs owned and run by Trinity Mirror Digital Recruitment, part of Trinity Mirror Plc.
• Employees of TMDR its agencies or anyone professionally associated with the promotion are excluded from entering the competition.
• The prize winner may be required to participate in publicity accompanying or resulting from this promotion.

 

Win yourself a meal for two at Minister Exchange in London

Balls Brothers of London - Minister Exchange 

Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP, London

Monument, Bank, Tower Hill, Fenchurch Street

Tel no: 020 7283 2838

Situated in the heart of the City just off Mincing Lane, this striking bar and restaurant has been refurbished so recently that the paint may still be a touch wet. Existing Balls Brothers’ customers will be delighted to know the venue will still pride itself on providing company and industry leading lunches, albeit with a few exciting additions to the food menu including a Crustacea section with Colchester Oysters and whole dressed Cornish crab.

The key difference comes post-4pm with the introduction of a premium happy hour with 50% off over 30 wines and champagnes, a 62-strong cocktail list, an improved choice of beers, regular Thursday and Friday nights with live music and, of course, the grand transformation of the venue after its £100,000 refurbishment. The refurbishment sees a new, vibrant, and female-friendly take on Balls Brothers, creating an aspirational concept that customers will feel comfortable in from day through to night.

Walk downstairs and experience our multi-room function space which is perfect for formal meetings or private dining. We can accommodate groups of 10 to 75 guests in one of the three smaller function suites or expand in to a larger function suite to 200 seated banquet style or 250 theatre style.

With separate kitchen facilities, cloak rooms and a private entrance this is a self-contained meeting area that can be adapted to suit the changing demands required for your different events. Full audio visual equipment and projector screens can be provided for all 3 rooms simultaneously.

“We think it’s one of the best places for any sort of Conference in the City so please pop down and see for yourself” – Balls Brothers, London

To win yourself a lunch for two at Balls Brothers London’s newly refurbished Minister Exchange, enter one of our competitions below:

Facebook:

List the 5 best PA skills on your CV in the comments section of this post on SecsintheCity

Twitter:

Tweet your toughest interview question @SecsintheCity using the hashtag #SITCME

 

Images ©  Ball's Brother's London - The Minister Exchange

*T&Cs

• The winner will be entitled to a starter and main course or main course and dessert from the restaurant menu to be claimed after 5pm Mon – Fri, selected dishes and a bottle of house white or house red wine.
• Offer valid for lunch only.
• Competition closes at 12noon on Friday 18th November. Winners will be declared by 6pm Friday 18th November. 
• Prize must be claimed before 16^th December, 2011
• To claim your prize, please email your contact number to marketing@tmdr.com with ‘SITC Competition’ in the subject line  
• To enter, you must post your answer below the question on facebook thread or respond to this question on twitter using the #
• To qualify, entrants must be 18+ and be a PA, EA or Secretary.
• The prize winner will be selected at random from the comments on the SecsintheCity facebook page and tweets @SecsintheCity
• Only one entrant per person.
• SecsintheCity and the Minister Exchange are not liable for any transportation and other related to the meal.
• The closing date for entries is before (time) on (day, date). Entries received after this date will not be accepted.
• The prize is non transferable
• This competition is run by SecsintheCity, a website for Career PAs owned and run by Trinity Mirror Digital Recruitment, part of Trinity Mirror Plc.
• Employees of TMDR its agencies or anyone professionally associated with the promotion are excluded from entering the competition.
• The prize winner may be required to participate in publicity accompanying or resulting from this promotion.

 

Meet PA Emma Lambden, Executive PA Magazine Awards runner up.

From breakfast eats to tweets. Emma Lambden, 'Executive PA magazine - PA of the Year' runner up, shares her PA success story with SecsintheCity.....

How long have you worked as a PA?
I've been working as a PA or Executive Assistant for over ten years now

Where do you work?
I work at the University of Reading 

What was your first job like?
My first job was as an office junior in a Solicitors’ office.  It was basically a photocopying and filing type of job but I loved working and being independent. It was in my first job that I came to realise how ambitious I am and it wasn’t long before I was striving to progress in my career. 

What do you do when you go home from work?
I go to classes at the gym a few nights a week and have also been studying for over a year now. I'm doing a management qualification with the aim of completing a full MBA over the next few years. When I do find time to relax, I like to watch movies with a glass of wine and really chill out.

What do you eat for breakfast?
I eat Frosties for breakfast every day – I’m actually known for it at work because I used to take them in and have my Frosties at work.

Do you tweet? 
Yes :)  I love twitter – it’s a great place for sharing info and finding out things – from whether the bus will be delayed to what is going on across the University I work at.  You can follow me @emlovescats.

Why do you believe makes you a star PA?
I think all PAs are stars.  What I think makes me a star in particular is that nothing phases me, and I respond to every request, no matter how challenging or trivial with the same enthusiasm.  Nothing is below or above me – I don’t see my role as limited to what is on my job description – my role is to make my boss’ life as easy as possible and I am constantly looking for new and improved ways in which I can do this.

How did you feel when you won Executive PA Magazine, PA of the Year runner up?
I couldn’t quite believe it when my name was called out as runner up.  The competition was so fierce I really didn’t expect to win at all and to say I was over the moon would be an understatement.  I felt on a real high for over a week and couldn’t stop smiling. It was such a proud moment and I’m so happy.

 

To be continued.....

 

On Friday Emma tells all, about her job, and her win and how winning has changed her life. 

But in the meantime if you were at the Executive PA Awards and would like to share your life as a PA, do tell us a bit about you below. 

 

 

Win fruit for your office

Fruit For The Office have teamed up with SecsintheCity to give away a box of the freshest fruit to one lucky office worker.

 

The winner will receive a FRESH 10 box plus deluxe berry upgrade delivered straight to their desk. That’s 
around a week’s supply of fruit for an office of 10.

 

To enter simply follow the link and leave your details – as simple as that.

 

Good luck!

Have you taken to your role like a duck to water?

IPA & IAM are proud sponsors of the 2011 Executive PA Magazine 'Newcomer of the Year' Award. This year, the prize for the winner will be a two night stay (excluding Saturday night) for two guests with full use of facilities, all meals and a massage and a facial for each guest courtesy of Champneys. The stay can be at either Champneys Springs, Henlow or Forest Mere.

To be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize, and the privilege of an invitation to the 2011 Executive PA Awards if selected as a finalist, register either yourself or a colleague who has been working as a PA for less than four years and has taken to their role like a duck to water and made the role their own.

Enter Newcomer of the Year


The place to be revitalised

Invigorating body scrubs, energising exercise classes, cleansing mud wraps, bubbling water therapies - there's no better way to revive tired souls than a spa break at Champneys.
    

Awards 2010 video

The Executive PA Magazine Awards is an annual event and each year has been a massive success. The 2011 Executive PA Magazine Awards is set to be the best yet. View the video from the 2010 Awards here.

For terms, conditions and entry form visit the Executive PA Website 2011 Awards Entry Page.