In a world of tight travel and training budgets, justifying the expense and your time away from the office can feel like navigating a maze. But fear not! We've got your back with our handy justification toolkit. It’s not just about justifying the cost—it’s about showcasing the valuable opportunities and insights that make attending a smart investment. Let's make attending this conference a win-win for both your professional growth and your organization's success!

Event Details:

Dates: Monday, May 19 – Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Location: Renaissance Austin Hotel, Austin, TX

Hosted by: LeadingAge Texas

Registration page: www.leadingagetexas.org/conference

General Tips:

• Plan Early: Use the early-bird registration to take advantage of the lowest rate (Register by April 18 to save!)
• Make the Most of the Newbie Discount: Leverage your first-time attendee savings by showing your leadership how this conference is a smart investment in your growth. Use the discount as an opportunity to gain approval for future professional development events by demonstrating the value you bring back to your organization.
• Focus on Specific Benefits: Highlight the concrete takeaways you'll bring back to the organization. Consider preparing a presentation to share key insights with colleagues upon your return.
• Identify Relevant Sessions: Review the conference program to pinpoint educational sessions that address your professional development goals or organizational needs. Share the session descriptions with your supervisor to demonstrate their relevance.
• Share Knowledge with Colleagues: Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation to your colleagues, summarizing key learnings and insights from the conference. This encourages knowledge sharing and extends the benefits of your attendance to your entire team.
• Highlight CE Opportunities: Emphasize the opportunity to earn Continuing Education credits, which can contribute to your ongoing professional development and certification requirements.
• Demonstrate Cost Savings: Highlight the cost-effectiveness of attending the comprehensive two-and-a-half-day conference, which offers 25+ sessions and a two-day EXPO. Attending a single conference reduces expenses and minimizes time away from the office compared to attending multiple separate events. Take advantage of group discounts and included meals to reduce expenses.
• Plan for Coverage: Plan ahead by identifying colleagues who can cover for you while you attend the conference. Ensure smooth operations in your absence to alleviate concerns about workflow disruptions.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend:

1. Stay Updated: Learn the latest practices and discover how other aging services providers are addressing similar challenges during roundtable discussions and networking opportunities
2. Diverse Learning Opportunities: Choose from 25 concurrent sessions across 4 tracks and attend 3 keynote sessions covering various topics, including leadership, resilience, diversity, and career development.
3. Explore the EXPO: Explore a wide range of solutions and tools from trusted exhibitors dedicated to the aging services field.
4. Continuing Education: Earn Continuing Education credits for attending educational sessions.
5. Networking: Connect with LeadingAge Texas members and industry professionals to exchange best practices and forward-thinking ideas.
6. Professional Development: Enhance your skills and knowledge, which you can share with colleagues who did not attend, strengthening your team's capabilities.
7. Group Discounts: Take advantage of group discounts for aging services members, saving $75 per person if 3 or more employees attend from the same campus.
8. Affordable Accommodation: Benefit from a special room rate of $246 per night at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, ensuring comfortable and convenient lodging during the event.
9. Ideal for Newcomers:  Whether you're new to the industry or looking to expand your knowledge, this conference offers a welcoming environment to learn, connect, and grow—and with the newbie discount, there’s never been a better time to attend!
10. Rejuvenation: Reignite your passion for aging services by connecting with peers, discovering new solutions, and gaining fresh inspiration.

Template Email to Supervisor:

Subject: Request for Approval: LeadingAge Texas 2025 Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO

Hi [Supervisor's Name],

I'm writing to request approval to attend the LeadingAge Texas 2025 Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO, scheduled to take place from May 19-21 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, TX.

This conference presents an opportunity to gain valuable insights and network with industry experts in our field. Here are some key points to consider:

• Relevant Sessions: The conference offers a diverse range of educational sessions tailored to my role at [Company Name], addressing key challenges and opportunities within our industry.
  •  [List out any relevant session titles]
• Networking Opportunities: I'll have the chance to connect with industry peers, experts, and exhibitors, fostering valuable relationships and collaborations throughout the two-and-a-half-day conference.
• Innovative Solutions: The Solutions EXPO will showcase innovative products and services that can enhance our organization's operations and services.
• Professional Development: Attendance at this conference will enable me to earn CEs, expand my skill set, and stay updated on industry trends.
• Knowledge Sharing: Upon my return, I'll prepare and deliver a short presentation to share key insights and best practices with our team, ensuring that the benefits of my attendance extend to the entire organization.

I’m confident that attending will provide valuable insights, connections, and solutions that can directly benefit our team and organization." I also wanted to mention that one-day passes are available in case circumstances prevent me from attending the full conference duration. I'm happy to discuss further details or answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your response.

Best regards,
[Your Name]