You Can't Afford Not to Be There!

The materials you need to demonstrate
 the importance of attending the
2009 Annual Fall Conference.

In this economy, utilities and agencies are reviewing which expenses are justified and which can be slashed. Training is an essential expense to every company. Companies know a well-trained workforce is more efficient and resourceful. If you feel that the training you receive at Conference is worth the cost, then you'll probably need to justify it.

CA – NV AWWA Conferences are filled with vital drinking water information, from the latest technologies to the most up to date drinking water issues.

It’s not just a networking conference, 
it’s a Training Conference, You Can't Afford to Miss!

When you propose a conference for approval, don’t focus on how much you want to go; focus on what you will specifically bring back to the organization a return for the investment. Some specific details you’ll need to identify include:

• Session content
  • Sessions that have particular relevance to your utility's or agency's work
    • Sessions focusing on current challenges affecting your utility or coverage area
    • Tools (Pipes, Tanks, Valves, etc.)
    • Technologies (SCADA, Work Order Systems, etc.)

• Vendor contacts
  • Prior to the Conference, list the vendors which will be showcasing the tools and services you use or are evaluating for potential future use
  • The Exhibit Hall is your opportunity to compare competing tools and services

• Best practices
  • Prior to Conference, list the technical sessions that will immediately benefit your department and organization
  • Also include the valuable information to be gained from the Keynote Speaker

You understand the importance of attending the CA - NV AWWA Annual Fall Conference but your manager may not. Below are documents you may find useful to justify your attendance. Use these documents as templates to demonstrate the importance of your attending. Keep that content that makes sense for your specific Utility or Agency and omit the rest.

Customizable Manager's Letter

Benefits Worksheet

When Conference is over, take the time to write down all that you have learned. One suggestion is to create a conference report.  A conference report provides information that can be shared with people that did not attend the conference.  Examples of information that can be included in your report are:

• General conference information
• Technical Session summaries
• Keynote speech summaries
• Exhibitor presentation summaries
• Ideas to be used upon returning from the conference

Many attendees work on the conference report while still at the conference or during their trip home.  This is when the information is freshest in your mind, so it makes the report much easier to write.

Some attendees return home and put together a presentation which they give to their departments to summarize key information from the conference.

Sources: conferences.idug.org and writingassist.com