You recognize the value of attending DC5G 2018, but how do you communicate this to those responsible for approving your professional development requests? We know that travel and training budgets are tight, and it’s difficult to get approval to attend events and conferences, which is why we’re here to help!

When speaking with management, stress the content of the sessions you will attend, the types of people you will meet, and the experts you will hear from during the event.  A few ideas to include when compiling your request:

Letter to Management: Compile a letter to management outlining the benefits of attending DC5G. Click here for a sample letter to use.

Training others when you return: Make the conference more valuable by offering to bring back what you’ve learned. Get extra copies of hand-outs and take notes. Then, set up a training session or send out information when you’re back.

Conference Sessions: Highlight the conference sessions most applicable to your job.  Bring the highlighted program to management to reinforce the value your attendance will bring to your company.

Speaker Line-up:  DC5G attracts key stakeholders to speak. You will have direct access to these industry experts since information sharing, question-answer sessions and networking are a vital part of the DC5G experience.

Networking Opportunities:  Interact with people you don’t have access to on a regular basis. We’re bringing together the telecommunications industry, local municipalities, commercial enterprise markets and federal government who share your same goals. Contacts you make through networking can be invaluable once you return to work and can provide insight in future endeavors at work for years to come.

Cost-Saving Features:  We understand that spending two days away from your job can be expensive, so we’ve worked to bring you savings wherever possible.

• Group Discounts: If your company is interested in sending a group of 5 or more, contact Isabel Burnham to set up a discounted group registration package.
• Hotel Discount:  DC5G has set aside a block of discounted rooms at the Capital Hilton. Book your hotel in the official hotel block.
• Airline Discounts:  DC5G has secured discounts on airfare with participating airlines.  Visit our Hotel & Travel page to learn more.

Sample Trip Report: Create a trip report after the conference. This report should discuss the sessions you have attended and how you will apply those concepts to your job. Once your supervisor sees how much you have learned during the week and how it can be applied in your organization, they will be more likely to send you to a conference again. Click here for a sample trip report that may be used when presenting your request.

Download the PDF Registration Form