San Antonio ATTENDANCE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE CONNECT. DISCOVER. ELEVATE. February 3-8 I Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

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1 2018 ATTENDANCE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE February 3-8 I Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Visit golfindustryshow.com for more information

2 You want to expand your knowledge, network with your peers, and be on the cutting-edge of golf course technology and tools of the trade, all to benefit both you and your facility. The Golf Industry Show featuring the GCSAA Education Conference, Trade Show and GCSAA Golf Championships is just the ticket for all of those things and more. We realize it might be difficult to justify your time away or convince your supervisor this is a valuable event you should attend. Therefore, we ve provided you with this resource to assist in those areas. THIS TOOLKIT INCLUDES: General Tips Cost Benefit Chart Sample Expense Worksheet Sample Justification Letter 2018 ATTENDEE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE 2

3 GENERAL TIPS The more information you can share with your supervisor regarding your plans in San Antonio, the better. Let them know this is a professional development opportunity that will benefit both you and your facility in the long run. Some other things you can consider when justifying your time away and the expenses that will be incurred include: Find out what products and services your facility plans to purchase soon and calculate the amount of money you could save by researching these products in person and capitalizing on trade show-only discounts Evaluate the numerous seminars, sessions and events available at the GCSAA Education Conference and Trade Show, and select those most applicable to your facility s needs Highlight the things included with your event registration such as educational sessions, networking opportunities with leaders in the industry to discuss best practices and cost saving measures, and hours on the trade show floor Prepare a detailed work schedule that shows all of your responsibilities at the facility being covered while you are attending this event Offer to deliver a short presentation upon your return that showcases what you learned during the week so your entire team can benefit from the knowledge you bring home COST BENEFIT CHART Your team/facility s needs Learn about new products and technologies Networking with peers Hands-on review of the most innovative products in the market Learn cost-saving techniques Career-advancing assistance How attending the Golf Industry Show can help with these needs For two days, over 500 exhibitors will be on the Trade Show floor showcasing their newest products and services Countless opportunities throughout the week provide ample time for networking, including the GCSAA Golf Championships and Trade Show. Back by popular demand, Inside the Ropes gives attendees the chance to demo electric equipment on a live, 13,000+sq.ft. fairway and green, or drive carts and turf utility vehicles. Numerous educational sessions and seminars provide the latest tips and tricks to help you save both time and money at your facility One-on-one career consulting helps you with everything from resume boosters to professional career advice 2018 ATTENDEE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE 3

4 SAMPLE EXPENSE WORKSHEET INVESTMENT COST SAVING TIPS COSTS Conference Registration Full Package member registration includes: GCSAA Education Conference sessions GCSAA Opening Night Celebration Trade Show admittance, including education on the show floor GCSAA Closing Celebration GCSAA Education Conference Seminars GCSAA Golf Championships Registration includes: Welcome Reception Networking events Breakfast each morning prior to your round On-course drink tickets Tee prize Flight/Travel Lodging Meals Registration is free for first-time member attendees, all student members & retired members.* Register by January 5, 2018 and save $100. Registration is separate and fees vary by length of seminar. Register by December 20, 2017 and save $50. Tournament registration closes January 3, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is approximately 15 minutes from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, an approximate $25 taxi ride. Lock in the guaranteed lowest rate at one of our 26 official partner hotels at golfindustryshow.com. Housing will be open October 17, Lunch included for those taking full day or two (2) half-day seminars. Total *Contact GCSAA with questions 2018 ATTENDEE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE 4

5 SAMPLE JUSTIFICATION LETTER Below is a sample letter that you can customize that explains your desire to attend and give your supervisor a clear picture of the return on investment that is available to your facility through your participation in this event. Download the document to personalize. < Date > Dear < supervisor s name >, I believe that <insert facility name here> would benefit greatly by my attending the 2018 GCSAA Education Conference, Trade Show and GCSAA Golf Championships during the Golf Industry Show, Feb. 5-8, in San Antonio. The GCSAA Education Conference offers 97 seminars and 20 sessions featuring practical solutions to the biggest issues facing superintendents and facilities today. The education available in San Antonio offers the latest tips, techniques and tools for continued success in the industry. Subjects include managing turf through drought, plant health, water conservation, soil health and fertility, weed management, increasing the ROI of our course, building and managing successful teams, and budgeting. The most prominent experts in the industry who consistently provide innovative solutions to everyday problems lead these courses. Nowhere else can I gain access to all of this expertise in one place. The Trade Show is an opportunity for me to preview the newest products on the market, identify equipment that could save the facility time and money, learn about new technology to benefit the facility, and spend valuable face time with knowledgeable vendors. This is also my once-a-year opportunity to network with and learn from other golf course management experts and colleagues from around the world. Participation in the GCSAA Golf Championships provides me with 30+ hours of networking with over 400 of my peers. This gives me the opportunity to discover solutions to challenges we re facing today and develop long-term relationships with other industry professionals. I will also benefit by finding out first-hand how other prominent facilities successfully maintain and manage their courses. After reviewing the education offerings, I have identified a number of courses that I am confident would make me more valuable to the facility. I chose each of these classes carefully because they directly relate to an issue we are dealing with currently or may face in the near future. Being able to obtain the information in a seminar format will greatly reduce the time and expense that we would normally incur while researching these topics. Below are a few examples of the courses that I am interested in: <insert seminars and sessions here>. I would like to further discuss the value of my attending the 2018 Golf Industry Show. The cost for me to attend this event is a solid investment that will ensure this facility continues to be successful well into the future. In order to give you a better idea of the costs that would be incurred, please see attached. I have included an estimated cost next to each as well as a total cost. Sincerely, < your name here > 2018 ATTENDEE JUSTIFICATION RESOURCE 5