Leah Warwick: Hi, everyone. I’m Leah Warwick, and you’re listening to The Admin Edge. This season, recorded at the Administrative Professionals Conference 2025, in Seattle, is coming to an end. And who better to close the season out than one of our attendees and APC Committee members, Kelly Walker? If you’re thinking about coming to APC, whether it’s your first time or your thirtieth, listen in to Kelly and our host this season, Debra Coleman, talking about how to make the most of this conference experience, from the show floor at APC.

00:00:43

Debra Coleman: Well, welcome to The Admin Edge podcast. My name is Deb Coleman, and I am the owner of The Seat Upstairs, and joining me for this episode is the wonderful Ms. Kelly Walker. Kelly is an ASAP Advisory Board member, an APC Committee member, and an executive assistant at HealthPartners. And of course, a wonderful attendee, and also heading up her own roundtables here at APC Seattle. Welcome, Ms. Kelly.

Kelly Walker: Thank you so much, Debra. I appreciate you having me here. I’m very excited.

Debra Coleman: I’m excited to talk with you, too. As Kelly and I briefly talked, I shared with her that I’m a first-time attendee here at APC. So, to have this conversation with you about how to make the most of APC, spot on. Spot on. This is going to be a fantastic conversation.

Kelly Walker: Great. I’m all ready. I’m ready to go.

Debra Coleman: Perfect. Let’s dive into the questions. You are PACE certified and serve on ASAP’s advisory board, of course, so you clearly understand the value of professional development. For an admin professional who’s at APC for the first time and feeling a bit overwhelmed—I mean, that’s the keyword here by all the sessions and networking opportunities. It’s a good overwhelm. Let me just clarify. What’s your advice for making the most out of this experience for the first time?

00:02:04

Kelly Walker: I would say start with intention. Pick a few sessions that connect directly with either a goal or a challenge that you’re having in your role right now, and let the rest be a bonus. And then also give yourself permission to not try and do everything. There’s a lot to do. It can be overwhelming, like you said. And make space for networking. Definitely make space for networking and connecting with others. Those hallway conversations can definitely become the most valuable.

Debra Coleman: I’m glad you mentioned networking. Well, first of all, I’m really glad you said to focus on an area that you might really want to learn more about, sort of help narrow that down. Because you’re right, when you pull up the schedule, it’s just yes to everything. But even that, I went a little bit deeper and said, “Okay, now what is it that really…? Where are you sitting right now career-wise or maybe personally that you honestly want to know more of? Let’s focus on that first and then…” So I’m happy that you mentioned that. That’s good advice.

00:03:00

Kelly Walker: It definitely helps you narrow it down and focus a little bit more.

Debra Coleman: It does. Networking: How would you advise doing that? Are there specific areas or ways we can network, maybe in addition to those hallway conversations?

Kelly Walker: I would say just go out and about. Just go out and start talking to people. Visit the community hallway. It’s a great place to meet others. Attend the Brain Dates. Those are great because those are kind of smaller, more intimate, more connecting one on one, and those are fairly new to APC, the Brain Dates are. And the roundtables are also a little bit more cozy, could you say? Or more interactive, the roundtables are. It forces you to talk amongst each other.

00:03:51

And even in some of the sessions I’ve noticed that they’ll have you turn to someone else that you don’t know and introduce yourself and make that connection. A lot of times, I even [say], “Hey, are you on LinkedIn?” And that way you can connect.

I’ve met actually another administrative assistant that I would’ve never met had I had come to APC, because I met her through our circle, our ASAP circle. She’s an attendee and so we connected and we met for coffee yesterday. Yeah, so I actually have a new friend. [laughs]

Debra Coleman: Oh, see? Perfect example. I love that. Now, you yourself are heading up a roundtable or two at this APC, in Seattle. What are the subjects you’ll be discussing or sharing?

Kelly Walker: I work in healthcare administration, so our roundtables are for best practices in healthcare administration and how to navigate that platform. It’s a little different maybe than a corporate executive office, because you are—you have that one on one and you touch patients, so you kind of have to pivot a little bit more.

00:05:00

You have to pivot from, say, when you’re walking in, you’re helping a patient to find his way to his appointment. And then you walk up to your office and your executive says, “Hey, I need this report run.” And then you run into a physician who needs something immediately. It’s a very fast-paced world. It’s a little different. You have to navigate it a little differently.

Debra Coleman: Yes, I can appreciate that, absolutely. I’m really glad you pointed out that niche of administrative support professionals in that field specifically, how this conference has made space for those niches. I attended a session—I’m in higher education—that was led by higher-education professionals speaking about a subject that really was, as you said, more so for that segment or that sector, and I appreciated that. It was like, oh, okay, good.

00:05:51

I can’t 100% relate to corporate and I wouldn’t be able to relate to a healthcare professional environment, but this I could, so it was nice to know that that option existed here. That’s a very nice feature, I should say, or element to APC that, as an attendee, I appreciate.

Kelly Walker: Yeah, because it really does. It takes—like in healthcare, it’s you really need empathy and you need to be professional and then you also might need to be direct and quick—quick on your feet.

Debra Coleman: Amazing. Are you inside a hospital?

Kelly Walker: Yes.

Debra Coleman: Okay.

Kelly Walker: We are inside a hospital, mm-hm.

Debra Coleman: Wow, fascinating.

Kelly Walker: It’s a Level I Trauma hospital, so it’s very fast-paced. You never know what you’re— [laughter]

Debra Coleman: Wow.

Kelly Walker: You’ve got to be able to switch gears very quickly.

Debra Coleman: I can imagine. It’s a completely different lens to the admin professional. It’s a completely different lens. Wow.

Kelly Walker: Yes.

Debra Coleman: Good for you. That roundtable, I’m sure, is going to be a huge success, absolutely.

Kelly Walker: Thank you.

Debra Coleman: Moving onto our next question: You’ve supported C-suite executives (as we just sort of talked about here) across diverse environments and you’re mentoring also administrative teams. When you’re at conferences like APC, how do you decide which sessions will actually make a difference in your day-to-day work versus just sounding interesting?

00:07:08

Kelly Walker: Sure. I ask myself: Will this help me support my executive more effectively or will it strengthen a skill I can use right away? And if the answer is yes, then I prioritize it. I try to balance inspiration with application, and I try and pick topics and subjects that excite me but are also practical, so I have the balance. That’s kind of how I pick and choose.

Debra Coleman: Great strategy, absolutely.

Kelly Walker: It’s my strategy, for sure.

Debra Coleman: And I think that you have to have one when you come to a conference this large.

Kelly Walker: You do. You really do. Or you can become overwhelmed.

Debra Coleman: Good point, circling back to our first question. Good advice. Thank you, Kelly.

Kelly Walker: Sure.

00:07:54

Debra Coleman: And so our other question here: As someone who has proven yourself as a strategic partner to leadership teams, you know the importance, I’m sure, of continuous learning.

Kelly Walker: Absolutely.

Debra Coleman: What’s one thing you always do at conferences like APC that other admins may not think of, but really maximizes your investment? And that’s wonderful because, yes, while we’re here, everything’s like, we’re in the moment. But then, when we get back to the office on Monday, sometimes it just goes away or we don’t know how to implement what we learned. So what are some of your—or we’re asked, “What’s your takeaway from the conference?” And we freeze like a deer in the headlights. I knew a week ago! [laughter]

Kelly Walker: What I do is, at the end of the day each day, I take ten minutes and I write down three key takeaways that I learned, and then I also write down an action that I would like to take back to the office. That way, I don’t come back with—I come back with a plan and I don’t just have a notebook full of notes. Yeah, I’m more prepared.

00:09:01

Yeah, so then if someone asks, then you can say, “Okay, here are my key takeaways that I had from each day, and I have a plan, an action plan for each day.” You just sound more prepared and like you actually got something out of the conference, learned something.

Debra Coleman: Gosh, I love that. I love that advice. I’m going to do that tonight, when I get back. I wish I would’ve done that Sunday, but that’s okay. I think I can remember.

Kelly Walker: You can always go back and write it down.

Debra Coleman: Exactly. I love that because I’m a firm believer in helping, my memory—when I write something down, I retain it better, rather than just, “Oh, I’ll recall it. I’ll remember it.” No, I won’t.

Kelly Walker: I won’t. I will not, either, so I can completely relate with you on that.

Debra Coleman: Excellent advice, Kelly. Thank you. Well, we do have a listener question. Do we have time for a few more minutes of your time?

Kelly Walker: Absolutely, sure.

Debra Coleman: Okay, wonderful. Alrighty, well, our listener wrote in with: How can I best position APC as a development opportunity that benefits both me and my executive?

00:10:02

Kelly Walker: Sure. I would frame it as a return on investment. Share the specific skills, tools, connections that you’ll gain that will directly support your executive and your team. For example, improving project management or efficiency or expanding your professional network. It’s not just about your growth. It’s also about what you will bring back as a value to the team.

Debra Coleman: Nice, okay. And that’s probably what they’re looking for. In addition to how this is helping us personally and professionally, how is that going to aid us as a team?

Kelly Walker: Exactly. And APC really is about meeting people that can help you along the way. You just never know who you’re going to meet, who you’re going to connect with, who can help you along in your career and opportunities. I mean, you just never know.

00:10:51

Debra Coleman: You never know. The conversations, as you said, can start innocently but then lead to a path of, hey, this is a win-win for both of us, or you’re feeling the same way I am, or maybe you’re in an industry that I’m hoping to maybe pivot into. I can go on and on.

Kelly Walker: Right, and I’ve heard all of those conversations happen in different sessions and roundtables I’ve been in, so definitely a benefit.

Debra Coleman: Is that feeling and outcome what drives you to be so involved as you are with the advisory committees and being a part of ASAP and APC in this way?

Kelly Walker: Uh-huh, it definitely does. I think it’s important that we are represented as a field and that we are represented professionally and looked at professionally, and also trying to get ASAP out there and let everybody know that is in our profession that there is this option, and there’s a support group. Lots of connections and support that you have out here, in this field, that I did not—I had no clue about it when I first was introduced to it.

00:11:53

It was a whole new world and I’m like, this is great. We need to get this out there and get the support to those in our profession. That’s why I’m very passionate about that.

Debra Coleman: Good. It shows, too.

Kelly Walker: And helping others and mentoring them, whatever they need. Hey, just sit down. Sometimes someone just needs somebody to listen to them.

Debra Coleman: That’s right, absolutely. I think that’s one of the nice things about being in this conference is that you’re surrounded by your peers and colleagues who, in some way, shape, or form get the struggle and understand your profession.

Kelly Walker: Right. And all skill levels. Some are entry level. Some are highly experienced, have been in the profession for years. It’s just great to help each other. It really is.

Debra Coleman: Well, we are glad we have a voice on these boards. That is you, Ms. Kelly, helping guide this through and continue this journey and this work. It’s fantastic.

Kelly Walker: Yeah, thank you.

Debra Coleman: Absolutely.

Kelly Walker: I really enjoy it.

Debra Coleman: Well, if listeners are interested in learning more about what you do, or just connecting with you professionally, where can they find you?

00:12:51

Kelly Walker: The best way to find me is on LinkedIn. I am happy to connect with other admins and share resources anytime.

Debra Coleman: Excellent. Wonderful. Thank you, Kelly. This has been great. Thank you for shedding a little light and clarity on our APC experience.

Kelly Walker: Thank you. It was great talking with you, and I appreciate you having me.

[music playing]

Leah Warwick: Thank you for listening to The Admin Edge, produced by the American Society of Administrative Professionals, original music and audio editing by Warwick Productions, with audio and video production by 5Tool Productions. If you liked this podcast, please leave us a nice review, five stars, and subscribe. If you’d like to submit a listener question, you may do so on our website at ASAPorg.com/podcast.