Justification Letter

This email or memo outlines the benefits of attending so your supervisor can see the value on paper. Make sure to customize it as necessary.

DOWNLOAD LETTER

 

Strategies for Acquiring Funding Approval

The tips and ideas provided here are designed to help you make a strong and effective case for attending the NTCA Marketing + Sales Conference. Use any or all of them to suit your unique situation.

1. Emphasize the Benefits of Attending

Talk to your supervisor about how your organization can profit from the new ideas, information, connections and innovations you will acquire as a result of attending. Here are some key points:

• "I can find new ways to save the company money."
  The new strategies, best practices and innovative solutions available here will help increase marketing effectiveness, reduce costs and boost impact on our bottom line — potentially offsetting the costs of attending.
   
• "This is the best way to compare and evaluate vendors."
  The Solutions eXchange is an unbeatable one-stop resource that enables me to source new suppliers, get ideas to break through the clutter and reach our prospects more effectively and understand the trends that work best with our sales goals — all in one place.
   
• "The educational opportunities are geared specifically for the rural broadband community."
  I will take home insights on all aspects of marketing and sales — from branding and logo design to community outreach and sales strategies for business development. The event offers new solutions and actionable ideas that I will be able to put into practice to gain a competitive edge, establish meaningful relationships and build brand loyalty for [your company name].
   
• "What I gain from two days participating at the event would take months to acquire any other way."
  Piecing together an experience that is equivalent to the NTCA Marketing + Sales Conference would be very difficult — and would keep me out of the office much longer and cost much more than this online event in May.
   
• "It is the perfect opportunity to share ideas and learn from my peers."
  By joining them, I will stay abreast of the industry, learn more from my peers and maintain a level playing field.

2. Demonstrate How You Intend to Spend Your Time

Put your plan on paper to show your supervisor that your time at the NTCA Marketing + Sales Conference will be productive:

• Use the agenda to build an itinerary that includes sessions, networking functions and the Solutions Showcase.
• Study the education sessions and choose the ones that best apply to your position, as well as your company's specific objectives.
• If you purchase products and services for your company, check the sponsor list and Solutions Showcase for companies that offer what you need. Include the vendors you would like to speak with in the written plan that you show your supervisor.
• Is money the make-or-break issue? If so, see if you can quantify the value of certain aspects of attending. For instance, can you attach a dollar estimate to the savings you negotiate in the Solutions Showcase? How about the cost-cutting techniques you learn in the education sessions?

3. Crunch the Numbers to Illustrate the Value

Your boss will want to know, not just what it costs to send you to the conference, but what it is worth. Use a cost and budget analysis to break it down and be sure to emphasize the early-bird discount if you register before April 8 and the savings if you are an NTCA member. Write out the key takeaways and the estimated value or contribution to the company so they can see the breakdown in writing.  

4. Follow Up After the Conference

Assure your supervisor that you will give a full report on your conference activities upon your return. Use the Post-Event Report to demonstrate the value of your attendance.

We hope these ideas will be effective for you in getting approval to attend the 2024 NTCA Marketing + Sales Conference.