Convincing Your Employer That You Need to Attend GIS-Pro 2010
You know that GIS-Pro 2010 will provide the education and contacts you need to help you and your organization excel. But how do you convince your employer?
Come to GIS-Pro 2010 for:
- New Ideas - People at GIS-Pro 2010 will not only be talking about what works today, they will also be talking about where things are going. You will leave the conference with a long list of things to try and investigate further, usually too many to start on right away. You will also find ways to bring new value to your organization, value in a time when budgets are being cut and more is expected with less.
- Sharing What Works - There will be endless opportunities to talk to other people who face the exact same problems as you do. Not only will you learn from others, but you will form networks of people to talk with throughout the year. (Be sure to collect business cards and jot down a reminder of your conversation. Also, don’t be afraid to skip a session or two if you get involved in an in-depth conversation.)
- Inspiration & Rejuvenation - You will be exhausted at the end of the conference, but when you get back to the office you'll be re-energized and full of good ideas. Something about being around some of the top minds in the industry and feeling like you are getting the inside scoop on things really will get you going.
- Knowledge Gathering - Listen to the speakers and also listen to those who ask questions during sessions. Don’t be afraid to approach a speaker after his/her presentation to explore an idea further (and collect a business card for future follow-up) and be sure to connect with those fellow attendees who may have asked a question that grabbed your attention.
- More Knowledge Gathering – If there were no sponsors, there would be no conferences. Take advantage of the time to interact with the sponsors, ask them questions and learn about their products and services... in a safe, low-pressure environment. You can return to the office with solutions that can be implemented quickly without wasting hours on independent research.
Convincing your boss to let you attend a conference is as simple as preparation and information. You must educate yourself on everything that will be going on at the conference and prepare a persuasive presentation for your boss. Explore every piece of the event that may help your organization excel and that will help you do your job better. Make your boss an offer he or she can't refuse!
To help you get the support you may need from your manager to attend GIS-Pro 2010, URISA has prepared a customizable letter that you can adjust as appropriate. Download the Word document and make necessary changes in the areas marked in red and present it personally, if possible, so you can answer any immediate questions and get your approval right away.
