VALIDATE YOUR ATTENDANCE BY:

• Explaining what you plan to get out of attending and how that will benefit your work, organisation and clients.

• Offering to prepare and deliver a short presentation and/ or a question and answer session to your colleagues to share what you learn, so others can benefit from your attendance.
• Be ready with a plan that shows who will cover for you or what strategies are in place while you attend the Conference.
• Creating an itinerary of all the sessions you plan to attend, including backups.
• Sharing the program handbook and speaker handouts with your colleagues.
• Offering to share a room to reduce hotel expenses.
• Searching for plane tickets and other transportation early to secure the best rates.
• Stating a reason why you would like to attend and specify why it would be beneficial if you attended the Conference (see below).
  

BENEFITS OF YOUR ATTENDANCE:

• Will obtain new ideas.
• Sharing what works.
• Inspiration and rejuvenation.
• Networking.
  
• Knowledge gathering (speakers).
• More knowledge gathering (exhibitors).

If you would like a head start, here is a sample letter to help you seek support to attend the Conference.