Moss Drake
Three Steps … How To Attend the PNSQC Conference
You’ve heard the buzz about PNSQC 2022: Top-flight speakers, powerful technical program, and three days (Oct. 10-12). You want to attend! But will your boss give you the green light? More importantly, will the boss let you put the bill on the company tab?
We are here to help you get to Yes! Here are tried and true steps for convincing your boss to cover your attendance.
Do the Three-Step
- You want to convince your boss the program is first-rate, designed to enhance your professional status.
- You want to be clear about the cost of attending.
- You’ll want to be sure your boss knows that you will provide value to the company and others after the conference is over.
Step One – Promoting the Program
Access the conference agenda and outline the sessions you plan to attend and how they will benefit from your work. Then, identify how these workshops and invited speakers will help you with a current or future project. Be specific. The complete technical track information is available online now to help you build your case.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you make the list of program highlights
- Look for sessions that help you solve a specific pain point within your team or organization.
- Identify presenters who promise to add to your skill set.
- Seek opportunities for exposure to new tools, technologies and/or processes that will benefit your company. Call out specific tools that your company currently uses or plans to use that are covered in one of the many sessions at the
Networking, Networking, and More Networking
While making this list, don’t forget that the PNSQC offers many networking opportunities. Be sure to let your boss know that you’ll be able to network on various fronts.
Our networking sessions let you in on what other companies are doing to solve problems that you and your teammates may be experiencing at your company. They’ll offer insight into what the competition is doing. In an informal setting, you’ll meet peers who may be the perfect candidates your company is looking for.
Step Two – The Expense is an Investment for the Company
Justify the cost of the conference by comparing it to other educational courses and offerings. Almost any alternative will have you out of the office longer while costing the company more.
If you get any pushback on cost and you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go, consider offering to use some of your PTO so the company will only be covering the conference-related fees.
Here is the Registration Page where you can get current Registration Information with the conference pricing.
Helpful hint: Have a plan for who will cover for you at work while you are at the conference.
Step Three – After the Event
Let the boss know that you have specific follow-up objectives and strategies to share what you have learned at the conference with others at your company.
Make sure your boss knows exactly how you’ll communicate this information to others. Here are some ideas:
- Consider using a staff meeting to share new industry trends presented at the conference, or write an article for your company newsletter.
- Write a blog post or two about something you learned.
- Prepare a presentation on the major takeaways that you can share with your teammates.
- Share what you learn on your company podcast.
- Turn one of these articles or posts into a talk abstract, and apply to present at PNSQC 2023!
Helpful hints
Some additional things to consider, to help convince your boss:
- Give your boss a copy of the conference agenda and ask if there is anything specific that they would like you to gather information about and report on.
- Have a plan for who will cover for you at work while you are at the conference.
- When reviewing your experience with your boss, focus on the benefits you derived from the conference.
- Be sure to pick the right time to approach your boss about attending the conference. Make a plan to speak during a time of day that is least stressful for both of you. Avoid doing so when the boss may be hungry or at the end of a day filled with back-to-back meetings. The best arguments can fail miserably when up against low blood sugar.
And, lastly, consider the Group Discount you’ll get if multiple people from your company attend.