Creating a map - linking numbers from an excel table to the symbol on the map

I'm working on a map with 40+ points of interest.  I have a corresponding excel table that has a number to represent the POI and the name of the POI.  In the AI file with the map, I have a symbol with a number in it to mark the POI.  Is there a way to connect these two so that as new POI's are added, I can update the excel table and the map will update to reflect the excel table?  I'm having to add new POI's frequently and the list of POI's needs to be in alphbetical order.  My current workflow is to update the excel table and manually re-label the map which is time consuming and a huge potential for error.  

Thanks in advance for any advice.