How To Get Your Boss To Pay For A Conference
Even if it isn’t exactly in your industry.
There are all kinds of ways to invest in your professional and personal growth, but nothing quite compares to attending a conference (in our biased opinion).
By attending an in-person event, you can hear from speakers with expert insights, learn in an immersive environment, and meet some really great people.
Plus, a study by Harvard Business School found that women who attended a conference for women and other business networking events were at least twice as likely to receive a promotion and three times more likely to receive a 10% pay increase.
The challenge remains, how do you convince your boss to invest in your growth by paying for your ticket to attend.
Here’s how:
Get clear on your why
It is important to have a clear reason why you want to attend a conference, especially if it is outside of your industry. Are you looking to expand your network, learn more about a particular topic, or find clarity around a specific challenge?
At RebelleCon, one of the most common feedback we hear is people feel “energized” after attending. If you are looking for new ideas, to get creatively recharged, or connect back with your own inner inspiration, this is a great event for you.
Outline the ways your company will benefit
At the end of the day, you need to present the ROI back to your boss with confidence. Will you be connecting with professionals who are potential clients or referral partners? Is this a team building opportunity for you and other members of your company? Expanding your network in a specific region where your company operates? Learning a new skill or technique you can share with your team following the event?
We love when people bring their teams to attend RebelleCon. They come as a group and then debrief back at their office with fellow coworkers to discuss what they’ve learned.
Articulate what session you are most interested in
Review the conference offering and determine what about it is most exciting to you. Is it a particular speaker or panel topic? A workshop or breakout session? Or are you hopeful to learn about the experience to bring that knowledge back to your business? Having 2-3 specific examples of what you are looking forward to will help you make your pitch.
Lay out the logistics
Let’s face it, time away from work is time away, even if it benefits your company in the long run. Having a plan to have your tasks completed or responsibilities managed while you are out helps to give your boss confidence your absence will be covered.
Make the Ask
If you don’t ask, the answer is already no. Whether you have a budget for external education or you are starting from zero, it is good practice to ask for the things you know will help you be successful. At RebelleCon, we talk about self advocacy, asking for what you want, and setting an example for those who are following you. Putting yourself in a space where you can learn from other women, expand your network, and walk away with energy and inspiration to share when you return to work, is an admirable task to take on. Let’s do it!
And if you need a template to get you started, try this:
Subject Line: Professional Development?
Hi Boss’ Name,
Tickets are available for RebelleCon 2023, and I’d like to attend on behalf of Company Name. It is a conference for ambitious professionals and business owners who want to grow as leaders without burning out.
It is happening here in Richmond, VA on November 9th and will be a great opportunity for me to represent our brand among the attendees, and bring back ideas on leadership, productivity, mental health at work, and communications.
I know that Company Name has supported other ways for our team members to invest in mental health and leadership development. I am excited for the opportunity to share some of our best practices while learning what other local companies are doing.
Please, review the costs below and let me know if I have approval to expense my registration.
They also have an option to send the women on our team. It would be great to take a small group and bring back our lessons learned in a debrief with the larger group.
Let me know what you think! Thank you for your consideration.
We hope to see you at RebelleCon.
