Chennai, May 2022: The Indian Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals (IASAP) is a non-profit professional association, promoting professional excellence in the administrative & secretarial cadre. The 17th National Convention of IASAP was hosted by the Tamil Nadu Chapter from 28th April to 1st May 2022 at Radisson Blu Resorts, Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

140 delegates across seven chapters in India attended the convention. IASAP conducts the bi-annual conventions in its various chapters in Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

The Convention Chairperson, Ms. Surekha Johnson cited as follows in her address: “Restore, Renew, Revive, the convention theme was consciously chosen keeping in view the need to bring back the values which we have lost in our pursuit of success. Humanity, nature, renewable resources, and faith in the system are the fundamental essentials that are to be restored to rebuild our economies. Not GDP but the overall wellbeing of all the sections of the citizens, is the realistic indicator of a robust economy”

The theme for this National Convention revolved around, “Restore Renew Revive”, addressing and reflecting on areas which seemed unimportant in our quest for success, until the pandemic struck. The two-day sessions were packed with interesting topics by eminent speakers. Mr. M A Alagappan, Advisor, Murugappa Group declared the Convention opened.

Speaking with experience Mr. Mahadevan, Founder Hot Breads and a serial entrepreneur, who built various brands and businesses said, “Dream big and have the fire in your belly and remember creating Jobs is real success”. Showcasing the advantage of the finance “Concept of essentialism and focused financial Management enhances profits” elaborated Ms. Sangeetha Shankaran Sumesh, Business Coach & Independent Director, IFB, Co-Founder, ThinkUniQ. Mr. D. Suresh, fondly addressed as Solar Suresh explained in realistic terms about the importance of Sustainable living and Climate change and what a common man can do to mitigate the rapid depletion of natural resources.

Mind, wellness, and horizons beyond work are the most satisfying aspects of all the labor and sweat of the brow. Dr. Janani Iyer, Sr. Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Apollo Hospitals spoke of the importance of physical health in the whole circuit of a corporate career while Ms. Sudha Cannan, Faculty & Executive Coach at Coaching Foundation India, Co-Founder, Mind Body Wellness highlighted on the importance of mental well-being. Ms. Meenakshi Ramesh, Executive Director & CEO United Way, Chennai, summed up the day’s session by elaborating on the horizons beyond the workplace and home for the wholesome woman.

The Best Practices Competition award went to Tamil Nadu Chapter for their project titled “Project Lighthouse’, an initiative aimed at providing economic empowerment to the disadvantaged women through Design intervention and Market linkage. The next convention for networking and empowering the audience is scheduled to be held in Kolkata in 2024.