Every member has experienced the added value that IAAP provides to participants at all its events. But sometimes it’s difficult to convey to execs exactly what’s in it for the corporation. Here are a few tips that will convince your manager that sending you to the 2008 IAAP Convention and Education Forum provides a profitable return on their investment.

1. Schedule a private meeting with your exec. Choose a time that is as stress-free as possible.

2. Share with him/her issues and concerns in the office that you and other staff have been dealing with and the effect it is having on productivity and the bottom line.

3. Tell your exec you have been studying the problem and have some possible solutions that might remedy the situation.

4. One remedy that you have is attending a number of seminars given by experts in the field where you can learn new ways of handling such matters. Individuals that have worked with corporation worldwide have the knowledge and the judgment to provide solutions that work!

5. Show your exec the convention registration mailer. Indicate some of the cutting-edge programs that are being offered and how pleased you are that IAAP provides such highly rated speakers and programs for its members.

6. Point out particular sessions that address the problems you have identified and indicate how you expect these sessions will help you improve the work environment.

7. Let him/her know that you have an additional option of personally talking with the expert speakers and getting their ideas and input.

8. Tell him/her that you also will have many opportunities to meet with other admins in positions similar to yours. They can be resources for you to call upon, to learn what their companies are doing and options available to you.

9. Offer to attend the training videos available at the convention and further your “research” – at no extra charge – it’s included in registration.

10. Mention the vendors you will personally visit at the Office Expo and how it would benefit your company.

11. Be sure to mention that you will receive a list of attendees so that you can continue to professionally network after you return home.

12. Remind your exec that you will share all the information gleaned with other associates in the office. So, you will be providing some no-cost in-house training for staff.

13. Reinforce that being an administrative professional requires that you keep current on new technologies and how they are shaping the workplace of the future, ways to ensure effective communications with internal and external customers, and tips for getting your work done better, faster, using fewer resources.

14. If it has been some time since you’ve attended a major conference, remind him/her of that. Tie attending convention to your long-range work plans and professional goals.

15. Be willing to put your proposal in writing and follow up on anything promised when you return to the office.

16. Thank your exec heartily when he/she agrees to fund your attendance (all or partial). Be sure and bring him/her a souvenir from New Orleans. A book personally autographed by the keynote speaker addressed to “The Greatest Boss in the World” might be nice.