Ways to Get Your Employers to Help Pay for Conference Attendance 
You recognize the personal and professional value of attending the INA Conference, and you want your employers to support your decision to attend. While you request the time off and make plans to attend, you really wish your employers would financially support your conference experience.
Here are some ways you can approach your employers and invite them to not only learn more about INA and Conference, but what the professional development can mean for them in return.
- Ask Directly. If they don’t know about conference, they don’t have the option of supporting your attendance. Approach them directly and state I’d love to attend this industry conference, and would like your support. Give them a printout of what your expenses would be – registration, flight and hotel – and ask what they would be willing to contribute. Some may offer to pay all, and some may not offer anything other than the paid time off, so be prepared for either answer.
- So Many Choices. With 10 hours of continuing education being offered, plus additional networking time, show them the line-up of speakers and workshops being offered, and let them choose 2-3 workshops they would like you to attend, that they feel would benefit their children the most. An investment in your skills and continuing education at conference is an investment in their children’s development. By supporting your attendance at conference, you will bring back all the tools and resources you learn in Cancun, and put them to work with their family. Learn today, use tomorrow is a guiding philosophy of the INA conference programming.
- Priceless Resources. Let them know you will be able to meet and network with industry experts in child care, as well as other professional nannies and industry specialists. All those contacts become resources to your professional nanny portfolio, as well as resources and tools to use with your day-to-day challenges as a nanny.
- Added Value. With your employers’ support of your attending conference, it also goes a long way in showing appreciation for all you do for them, and shows they value you as a caregiver and team player in raising their children. When nannies feel appreciated and valued, they are happier at work.
What ways do your employers support you attending conference?