Dear [Insert your manager’s name]:
I’m writing to request your approval to attend the 24th Annual E Source Forum in Denver, Colorado, on September 19-22, 2011. I believe my attendance at the E Source Forum will provide important benefits to our organization and enable me to learn from a number of utility-specific seminars on [Select topics relevant to your job: energy-efficiency technologies, customer service, business marketing, residential marketing, demand-side management, smart grid, account management] that are directly applicable to my job. I would also gain from networking with other utility program managers and industry experts. Many of the presentations will focus on how to increase program participation, reduce costs, or deal with regulatory compliance issues.
Special rates at the conference hotel have been arranged and Denver offers many different public transportation options, so I won’t need a rental car or have to pay for parking at the hotel. There is also free wireless Internet in my room. All of these factors will bring down the travel costs. The total cost for the conference is $XX. The detailed cost breakdown is listed below. Conference fee: Free! Because we are members of E Source, there is no cost for me to attend the conference. [If you are not an E Source member, registration is $1,500.]
[Next, insert your actual travel costs in the following sections:]
Airfare: $[XX]
Transportation: $[XX]
Hotel: $[XX]
Meals: $[XX] (remember, breakfast and lunch are provided)
After reviewing the conference agenda, I have identified a number of sessions that will allow me to gain knowledge and understanding in the areas of [Insert topics from above] and provide insights that could immediately be put to use with the [Insert project(s) you are working on]. The presentations will be facilitated by industry experts, my peers, and vice presidents and directors from utilities across North America. These sessions will greatly reduce my own research time and accelerate the implementation and effectiveness of our programs:
[List the titles of sessions that would provide the greatest benefit to your company. The list of sessions by “Track” will be posted on the Forum agenda web page http://www.esource.com/ee/event/agenda/38586]
Summary of Benefits
Attending the 24th Annual E Source Forum will enhance my knowledge and skills in the area of [Insert topics from above], which will enable me to provide better [Select based on job function: customer service, program implementation, technology selection, recommendations]. When I return, I’ll share what I’ve learned with my colleagues through post-Forum trip notes, copies of the Forum presentations, and highlights of the information I plan to act on right away.
The opportunity for me to develop key contacts with other utility managers and industry experts and to gain knowledge in the areas listed above makes my attendance at this conference a wise investment, and I’m confident the benefits far outweigh the cost. Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Insert your name]
