Persuasion Kit « Bridge Conference 2024

Persuasion Kit

JUSTIFY YOUR TRIP TO BRIDGE

We want to see you at the 2020 Bridge Conference! And we know you want to be there too. We also know that getting sign off can be something of a struggle – you’ll need a watertight case to present to the person in charge of controlling your time and the budgets.

The good news for you is that we’ve put together a Persuasions Kit which includes a letter and handy excel spreadsheet! So, here’s your chance to arm yourself with an argument SO persuasive, that they won’t be able to say anything but “Yes”.

 

Dear [insert manager or director’s name],

I would like to attend the 15th Annual Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference, July 15 – 17 at the Gaylord National Hotel, National Harbor, MD adjacent to Washington, DC. I thought I should present to you why my attendance is absolutely essential – not just for my own career development but for the future of [insert your organization name] as well!

For the last 14 years, the Bridge Conference has evolved to become the industry-defining event for nonprofit professionals like us. I will learn what’s going on in the industry and how today’s trends can be incorporated into our practices. I’ll also find out what people are doing now and discover how they are tackling challenges like the ones our organization faces.

This is the event for nonprofit professionals and encompasses the entire industry. The Solutions Showcase highlights the latest technologies, products and solutions available – so I’ll meet new supplier partners and learn how they could potentially help us – the Solutions Showcase is an extension of my education and fact-finding efforts. In fact, I can research suppliers for [insert current project you are working on; if you don’t have anything in mind, do not include this sentence].

Additionally, networking is an enormous part of this conference; the community aspect is huge! Coming together with other nonprofit professionals and hearing what colleagues are doing—or not doing, for that matter—provides a phenomenal learning opportunity. You know in this competitive market for the donor dollar, learning where the successes and failures of organizations in our same sector is invaluable.

My projected costs for attending 15th Annual Bridge Conference are [insert cost from worksheet]. This includes registration, transportation, lodging, events, and meals. This estimate assumes that I register by March 27, 2020, to receive the Best Value Rate.

The Bridge Conference is integral to my professional development. Rather than having to attend multiple events throughout the year, this one will cover everything. I will bring back innovative ideas, best practices, and solutions that we can implement right away. Additionally, I will develop an overview of what I’ve learned and actionable takeaways for the team so that we can work together to move the department and [insert organization name] forward.

I hope you will consider my request and grant me approval to attend – as it is absolutely crucial I attend this year.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

 

 

BRIDGE COST WORKSHEET

Download the 2020 Bridge Cost Worksheet and create your own expense worksheet for the 2020 Bridge Conference.