About the OIVAC
When OIVAC Began
Founded in 2005, the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC) is an educational and networking platform.
OIVAC was founded by Sharon Williams, President of The 24 Hour Secretary, who envisioned that if Virtual Assistants could eliminate geographic boundaries, they would participate in a unifying and educational activity. Determined to bring this vision to reality, and identifying internet technology that could facilitate the international convergence she dreamed of, Sharon founded the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention and brainstormed with personal and professional VA industry contacts.
International Virtual Assistants Day (IVAD)
OIVAC is the proud sponsor of International Virtual Assistants Day (IVAD) a day set aside to acknowledge the effort, determination and commitment of virtual assistants around the globe. The day takes place on the third Friday in May each year and is included in the Days of The Year Calendar online.
Because of the nature of their jobs, virtual assistants usually make extensive use of the latest technology, mostly the internet, to undertake their duties from a remote location. Because they don’t work for their clients or employers in person, it’s easy to take these support people for granted. While it might be natural to thank an assistant in person by buying them a cup of coffee or taking them out to lunch, a virtual assistant tends to fly under the radar and miss out on these opportunities.
International Virtual Assistants Day is sponsored by the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and the celebrations are held during the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention.
The Alliance for Virtual Businesses, which is composed of a team of virtual professionals as the originators of this day, which is usually celebrated annually on every third Friday of the month of May. Its main purpose is usually to create awareness about virtual assistants’ services in the business community.