Administrative Professionals Week (APW) was established by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in 1952 in an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions to the workplace and to promote the secretarial/administrative career as a profession.

In 1965, the observance date of National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. The event name was changed to Professionals Secretaries Week in 1981 and changed to Administrative Professionals Week (APW) in 2000 to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the administrative workforce. The intervening Wednesday is designated as Administrative Professionals Day.

Over the years, this event is celebrated worldwide including community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities in recognition of administrative support staff.