Get Approval to Attend

Attendance at ProMat 2013 can make the difference between your manufacturing and distribution operations stalling, surviving or even thriving during these challenging economic times.

If you need senior management's approval for travel and training expenditures, it's worth it to develop a proposal so you can attend ProMat 2013.

Gain Buy-In

Study the ProMat 2013 Web site for product sourcing and educational opportunities. Identify educational sessions and exhibitors that address specific needs within your manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations. List your current initiatives, such as managing risk, cutting costs, sustainability, streamlining processes, building relationships or other specific challenges, and then find corresponding education and solution providers at the show. Prepare a list of the benefits that can be realized by your attendance. Then, explain the relationship between these ProMat 2013 activities and your organizational goals. It's important to be able to list the benefits to your organization and how you can make an impact.

Here are some benefits of your attendance

By attending ProMat 2013, you and your company will reap the benefits of best practices, success stories, tools and practical solutions. You will also have the opportunity to transform your biggest challenges into your greatest accomplishments when you learn from the experts and leaders in the field and fellow practitioners.

Everyone Benefits

Be a force of change in your organization by bringing the knowledge home. Everyone in your organization can benefit by your attendance. You will be able to learn successful methods and best practices from leaders in material handling and logistics. You will also learn how to apply these methods in multiple situations.

Develop a Proposal

Put your ideas in writing and submit a formal proposal to your department head. Include your intended schedule of educational sessions, solution-providers and why the knowledge gained will be valuable to your operation. Strengthen your proposal by listing department goals and their corresponding ProMat 2013 exhibitors and education. Also, list all areas where your department faces challenges and how your intended workshops will help you overcome these challenges. Don't forget to include the cost of airfare, meals and lodging in order to make it an all-inclusive proposal. Remember that your ProMat 2013 registration is offered at no cost for you to attend the exhibits and all educational sessions.

Download the "Justification to Attend" letter - everything you need to present your business case. The template is simple to fill out and drop off with your supervisor for approval.

Full Circle - Provide Feedback to Management

Follow up with your direct supervisor after you return from ProMat 2013. They will want to know firsthand your impressions, whether you gained something from it and how you will be able to apply lessons learned. This is where you will refer to your original proposal and goals to achieve while at ProMat 2013. Let your supervisor know what you have learned and how you will implement this knowledge. Most importantly, let your manager know that your participation in ProMat 2013 was a worthwhile investment for your company.

So, plan your strategy, prepare your proposal and secure your approval to attend ProMat 2013. Bring the benefits of knowledge home to your company!