Make Your Case for Approval

Return on investment

Attending the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum is a financial investment. Help your boss see the ROI by detailing how the information and connections you gain will lead to improved performance, increased productivity — maybe even new business opportunities. Estimate the value of the new skills and knowledge you’ll bring back to the team and share it with your boss.

Ways to highlight ROI in your proposal:

• Identify specific pain points that the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum’s content addresses
• Estimate the time and cost savings from implementing new knowledge
• Compare the cost of attendance to external consulting on the same topics

Professional networking is opportunity x 1000

The networking opportunities at the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum are a strategic advantage for your company. They provide access to connections and insights your team wouldn’t otherwise get through day-to-day work.

Let your boss know that investing in your attendance helps the team stay current, build valuable relationships, and apply proven best practices back at the office.

Networking opportunities to highlight:

• Scheduled networking events
• Meals and breaks with all attendees
• Roundtables with leaders in your field
• Potential partnerships with vendors or service providers
• Access to communities of practice in your field

Your professional growth helps everyone

Your growth benefits more than just you — it helps your team and organization perform better. Building new skills leads to stronger decisions, greater efficiency and better results.

The 2026 AFP FP&A Forum delivers practical insights and best practices you can apply right away to improve processes and drive innovation.

Key skill development areas:

• List skill, how it helps your boss/team/company, and session/event where developed
• List skill, how it helps your boss/team/company, and session/event where developed
• List skill, how it helps your boss/team/company, and session/event where developed

Knowledge sharing creates a multiplier effect

Sharing the insights, skills and connections you gain by attending the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum creates a multiplier effect, exponentially increasing their value. As each team member applies and further refines the knowledge you share, the ripples lead to greater collaboration, better decision-making, continuous improvement and a culture of learning that drives long-term success.

Before you approach your manager, brainstorm ways to document and share the knowledge you gain with the whole team.

Team knowledge-sharing strategies:

• Structured knowledge-sharing presentations
• Implementation of conference-acquired methodologies
• Distribution of conference materials and resources
• Cross-training opportunities based on new knowledge
• Enhanced team problem-solving through diverse perspectives

Addressing common concerns

It’s important to anticipate and address any concerns your boss might have, such as the impact of your absence on ongoing projects. Be sure to offer some solutions that could mitigate their concerns, such as providing a plan for task delegation or identifying colleagues who can temporarily step in.

Concern: Project impact
Solution: Create a detailed coverage plan that identifies specific tasks, their owners during your absence, and any prep work you'll complete before leaving. For example: “I've created a comprehensive coverage plan that assigns each of my responsibilities to team members who are fully capable of handling them.”

Concern: Overall cost
Solution: Break down the tangible ROI by identifying specific company problems the conference content could help solve, quantifying potential savings wherever possible. For example, “The total cost represents less than 15% of what we would pay for external consulting on these topics.”

Concern: Budget only allows attendance for one person
Solution: Create a specific knowledge-sharing plan that outlines exactly how you'll distribute insights to maximize the company's investment, e.g., deliver a comprehensive presentation or create a resource library.

Concern: Timing conflicts
Solution: Address specific timing conflicts, e.g., milestones, project deadlines, and busy periods, with concrete solutions. For example: “While the conference does overlap with the start of Phase II, I'll complete all my Phase I deliverables ahead of schedule. I've already discussed this with Rob, who's willing to lead the kickoff meeting, and I'll be available remotely for the planning session on Monday.”

Concern: Time away from regular duties
Solution: Create a focused attendance plan showing which specific sessions address current challenges, with clear ties to ongoing projects. For example: “I've created a detailed schedule to maximize my time, focusing specifically on the sessions addressing our database optimization issues and payments improvements.”

Concern: Communication while away
Solution: Create a clear communication plan that specifies how and when you'll be available during the conference. For example: “I'll check emails during breaks (~ every 2-3 hours) and have added the conference schedule to our shared calendar, so the team knows when I'm in sessions. For urgent matters, I can be reached by text, and I've identified specific 30-minute windows each day when I can join team calls, if needed."

Proposal Templates

Copy and paste the following email template to send to your boss to show them how attending the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum can benefit you and your organization.

Subject: Request to attend the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum - Strategic Investment in [Key Benefit Area]

Dear [Manager's Name],

I'm writing to request approval to attend the 2026 AFP FP&A Forum, taking place in Indianapolis, March 23-25. After researching this event, I believe it represents a valuable investment in both my professional development and our team's objectives.

Conference overview and strategic value
The 2026 AFP FP&A Forum's agenda includes sessions specifically addressing challenges we're currently facing, including:

• [Specific Session/Topic #1]: This directly relates to our current [project/challenge] and could provide insights on [specific benefit].
• [Specific Session/Topic #2]: With our upcoming goals around [company objective], this session would equip me with [specific skills/knowledge] to contribute more effectively.
• [Specific Session/Topic #3]: This aligns with our team's need to improve [specific area] and would provide practical strategies we could implement immediately.

Return on investment
The total estimated cost for attendance is $[Total Cost Amount], which includes:

• Registration: $[Amount]
• Travel: $[Amount]
• Accommodation: $[Amount]
• Meals: $[Amount]

I believe this investment will deliver significant returns through:

• Immediate application of [specific technique/approach] to our [current project/challenge]
• Potential time/cost savings by implementing [specific solution] to address our [specific issue]
• Access to industry experts who can provide insights on [relevant topic]
• Building relationships with peers at [companies in your industry] facing similar challenges

Coverage plan
I've developed a plan to ensure all my responsibilities are covered during the [X] days I'll be away:

• [Task/Responsibility #1]: [Colleague Name] has agreed to handle this
• [Task/Responsibility #2]: I will complete this before departing
• [Project milestone]: The deadline is [date], and I'll [specific action to ensure it's met]

During the conference, I'll be checking emails [frequency] and will be available by phone/text for any urgent matters.

Knowledge sharing commitment
To maximize the value for our entire team, I commit to:

• Creating a comprehensive summary of key takeaways within [X] days of returning
• Delivering a presentation to the team on [specific date]
• Developing an action plan for implementing relevant strategies
• Sharing all relevant materials and resources with interested team members

I appreciate your consideration of this request and am happy to discuss further or provide any additional information you might need to make your decision.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

Links/attachments to consider including:

• Conference agenda with relevant sessions highlighted
• Detailed breakdown of estimated costs
• Any testimonials from past attendees (especially from your company)
• Articles/information about key speakers you plan to see