Get Your Boss to Say Yes!

Museums are feeling the pressure of budget cuts to travel and training programs. Below you'll find resources to help you get the green light to join us in Baltimore.

• "Get Your Boss to Say Yes" letter template

• U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates for Baltimore (for help building a budget)

• This Sample Business Trip Budget from Microsoft.com provides the main components of a simple travel budget

• About.com's Budget Travel section includes information on how to minimize travel expenses

6 Tips to Justify Your Trip

• Focus on what you will bring back to the organization as return for the investment.

• Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation and Q&A to your colleagues to share what you learned. That way, others in your organization benefit from your attendance too.

• Share the on-site program and speaker handouts with your colleagues. As an attendee, you have unlimited access to materials posted by speakers.

• Be ready with a plan showing who will cover for you while you are attending the conference.

• Offer to share a room to reduce hotel expenses by finding a roommate.

• Check the registration page to see if you qualify for lower rates or discounts.