Contact: Jennifer Alexander
National Receptionists Association
NATIONAL RECEPTIONISTS DAY MAY 12, 2010
Larchmont, NY...National Receptionists Day will be celebrated on May 12, 2010, in recognition of more
than 900,000 receptionists nationwide. "Receptionists are worth their weight in gold." says Jennifer
Alexander, Executive Director of National Receptionists Day. "Try sitting in at their job for a couple of
hours and you will have a whole new appreciation for their job."
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National Receptionists Day is celebrated with a giant "thank you" from everyone in the company. We think
it is the least a company can do for the person who represents them all day, everyday. "National
Receptionists Day" coffee mugs and pens are availabe on the website to show appreciation all year. The
website: www.nationalreceptionists.com also has a proclamation form and screen savers to download for
the day of celebration.
National Receptionists Day was officially inaugurated in 1990 to give recognition to two extraordinary
receptionists at the offices of Ferguson Communications, now CommonHealth in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Jennifer Alexander, the director of National Receptionists Day, inaugurated the day at that time. Companies
wishing to recognize the very special role these individual plays in creating and maintaining the company
image observe National Receptionists Day nationwide. National Receptionists Day happens during National
Employee Week in May and is celebrated in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Canada, the UK,
and Australia have joined in as well.
"Since we began National Receptionists Day in 1990, we have received communication from people all over
the country who say they appreciate their receptionists and the job they do but they never took the time to
give them the individual recognition they deserve," added Ms. Alexander.
Receptionists are the 'front line' personnel in the business setting. They are the first person a client has
contact with and that interaction very often sets the tone of the business transaction to follow. Their
interpersonal skills, telephone etiquette and communication skills are very important elements in greeting
clients, responding to inquiries and representing the company. A receptionist fields initial company contact
and takes control of the communication channels with each call during the day. A secretary's role is
different because their reporting contact is usually within the company. In fact, most times the receptionist
even takes the secretary's calls first.
This job function may also fall under other job titles such as Front Desk Clerk, Operator, Host/Hostess, and
Information Desk Personnel. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the number of receptionists is
growing with the advent of voice mail, not decreasing as some may think. In 1990 there were 851,000 and
in 2000 the numbers grew to almost 900,000. Whether a business inquiry, a crank call, or a bomb threat,
the receptionist needs to know how to manage all communications internally as well as externally.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Alexander at the National Receptionists Association, 2005
Palmer Ave., #131, Larchmont, NY 10538, Fax: or voice mail 203-273-1179, email:
jennifer@nationalreceptionists.com . The National Receptionists Association will soon be planning their first
annual meeting so stay in touch. More information can be obtained on our home page:
www.nationalreceptionists.com.
National Receptionists Day
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National Receptionists Association
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Our mission is to gain awareness and appreciation for the position of receptionists in the business setting and
provide support to receptionists nationwide.
The National Receptionists Association is an organization comprised of receptionists who have joined
together to help gain momentum for this recognition. The organization consists of members who want to
help others gain the recognition they deserve and recommend ways to improve their skills.
The National Receptionists Association is an organization funded through dues and corporate sponsorship.
Near term plans include an annual meeting, an email newsletter, recognition awards and other exciting
recognition ideas which will be available from the home page coming soon.
Contact: Jennifer Alexander, Director National Receptionists Association, 2005 Palmer Ave., #131,
Larchmont, NY 10538; Phone: 203-273-1179. Email: Jennifer@nationalreceptionists.com
jennifer@nationalreceptionists.com
National Receptionists Day is celebrated on the second Wednesday in May but it also may be celebrated any
day within the second week of May.
203-273-1179; Fax: 800-827-0465
There is an increasing trend to give receptionists more responsibility and increased exposure in their jobs
with titles such as "Front Desk Manager" or "Director of First Impressions".