National Receptionists Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
New York Senate Resolution J5006 describes National Receptionists Day as the second Wednesday in May and records its 1991 creation by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
About National Receptionists Day
National Receptionists Day is observed on the second Wednesday in May and recognizes receptionists and front-desk professionals.
A New York State Senate resolution records that the observance was created in 1991 by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
Why National Receptionists Day matters
The day highlights the role receptionists play in communication, scheduling, visitor support and the first impression of an organization.
It is an unofficial workplace-appreciation observance rather than a federal holiday.
History of National Receptionists Day
New York Senate Resolution J5006 says National Receptionists Day was created in 1991 by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
The resolution states that the observance is celebrated each year on the second Wednesday in May.
On 20 April 2016, the New York Senate introduced the resolution memorializing the governor to proclaim 11 May 2016 as Receptionists Day in New York in conjunction with the national observance.
The reviewed legislative record does not identify the exact first observance date in 1991 or explain why the second Wednesday in May was selected.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Director of the National Receptionists Association
New York Senate Resolution J5006 states that the unofficial national holiday was created in 1991 by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
Memorialized the governor to proclaim May 11, 2016 as Receptionists Day in New York in conjunction with National Receptionists Day.
New York State Senate · Resolution J5006
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
8 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Receptionist Day
How to Observe National Receptionists Day
Thank receptionists and front-desk staff for the communication and coordination work they handle.
Give reception staff time and support rather than treating appreciation as a substitute for good working conditions.
Learn how reception roles have expanded across scheduling, security, customer service and administrative systems.
If organizing a workplace celebration, include the people being recognized in deciding what would actually be useful.
National Receptionists Day Facts
National Receptionists Day is observed on the second Wednesday in May.
New York Senate Resolution J5006 says it was created in 1991.
The same resolution attributes creation to the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
A 2016 New York Senate resolution sought state recognition for that year’s observance.
National Receptionists Day Messages
Thank the people who manage calls, visitors, schedules and countless small details.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
New York State Senate — Resolution J5006 (opens in a new tab)
State Legislative Record
Days of the Year (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Receptionists Day?
Second Wednesday in May (13 May in 2026) The documented recurrence rule is: Second Wednesday in May.
Does National Receptionists Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is National Receptionists Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / workplace appreciation observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Receptionists Day?
The documented basis is: New York Senate Resolution J5006 describes National Receptionists Day as the second Wednesday in May and records its 1991 creation by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.. Supporting evidence includes New York State Senate — Resolution J5006. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is National Receptionists Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / workplace appreciation observance.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-09.
When is National Receptionists Day?
It is observed on the second Wednesday in May.
Who created National Receptionists Day?
A New York State Senate resolution says it was created in 1991 by the Director of the National Receptionists Association.
Was Jennifer Alexander the founder?
A modern secondary source names Jennifer Alexander, but the legislative source reviewed here gives only the founder’s role and association, so the guide does not upgrade the personal name to primary-source status.
Is it an official federal holiday?
No. The New York legislative record itself describes it as an unofficial national holiday.
Other observances on May 12
These observances are also listed on May 12, 2027.
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day / International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Fibromyalgia Association Canada states that Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is observed annually on May 12; current 2026 government proclamations in Michigan also recognize May 12 for the year.
International Day of Plant Health
A/RES/76/256
International ME/CFS Awareness Day
CDC and NIH recognize May 12 as an international ME/CFS awareness date; May12.org traces the broader May 12 CIND awareness movement to Thomas Hennessy Jr. and RESCIND in 1992. This record i…
National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day
Creator Anne C. Totero states that she created and began advocating for Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day in 2020, with an unofficial first observance on May 12, 2020. Wisconsin later…
National Tampon Day
National Day Archives identifies May 12 and TOP as the 2020 founder; TOP co-founder Denielle Finkelstein later stated first-hand that TOP founded the day in 2020. FDA guidance is used only…
National Third Shift Workers Day
UFCW national and local materials identify National Third Shift Workers Day on the second Wednesday in May and document union observance activity by at least 2017.