That changed this week when key people who help businesses run smoothly across the city got together at the first meeting of a new executive assistants networking group.

When they arrived at Peoplecare on Monday many met for the first time but knew of each other because they had previously spoken on the phone.

Illawarra Assistants Network (IAN) is specifically for people in the executive and administrative support workforce.

It is a forum to network, share knowledge and offer support to like-minded peers.

Co-founders Laura Price and Danica Vujic, of Peoplecare, had more than 100 enquiries for the first meeting and more than 30 turned out.

Ms Price said the plan was to hold the events every three months with the next one in October.

But they are doing a survey of those who attended the first meeting to see what executive assistants want in the way of formalities and speakers.

Culinarius did the catering for the first meeting.

Rebecca Armstrong said the business had catered for a number of functions at Peoplecare over the years and had a great relationship with a lot of PAs and EAs in the Illawarra.

It is really lovely to be here on the first night. There are so many of you I have dealt with over the years. And thank you to the Peoplecare girls for doing this. It is a real honour that you thought of Monika and I to look after tonight, she said.