Convince
Your Boss to Send You.
Four ready-to-send letters built around the case your manager actually needs to hear. Download, fill in the blanks, hit send.
Get your letterChoose Your Letter
Each letter is built around a different type of manager. Pick the one that matches yours, click to preview, and download a clean copy to edit.
ROI-Focused
Your manager runs on numbers. This frames the ask around cost-per-insight and measurable outcomes.
Professional Development
Your manager has a growth plan for you. This ties attendance directly to your role trajectory.
Team Impact
Your manager thinks in team output. This positions your attendance as a group investment with shared returns.
Cost-Risk Balanced
Budget is tight. This offers three approval tiers so the answer doesn't have to be a flat no.
The numbers-first case
Hi [Manager's Name],
I'm writing to request approval to attend the Women Who Code Summit in New York City, October 6–8. Total estimated cost is $[total], detailed below.
The conference brings together senior practitioners from major tech companies for three days of sessions on AI adoption, product strategy, and leadership. Past speakers have included the CEOs of Uber and Microsoft AI, Google's VP of Assistant, and Autodesk's CMO. The programming is applied, not aspirational.
Two areas directly relevant to our current priorities: [Topic A, e.g., AI integration in product workflows] and [Topic B, e.g., enterprise partnership strategy]. I'll map specific sessions against our [Q4 / current quarter] goals and deliver a written summary with actionable recommendations within two weeks of returning.
On cost: at $[total], this is roughly $[total ÷ sessions attended] per session — comparable to a single-day professional training. I'll also use the trip to have intentional conversations with [specific partner type or company profile], which could offset the investment if [specific outcome, e.g., one qualified intro leads to a follow-up meeting].
If approved, I'll submit a one-page post-event action plan within 10 business days.
Conference registration: $[X]
Travel: $[X]
Hotel (2 nights): $[X]
Meals and incidentals: $[X]
Total: $[X]
Happy to discuss before you decide.
[Your Name]
The growth-plan case
Hi [Manager's Name],
I'd like your approval to attend the Women Who Code Summit, October 6–8 in New York City. Cost breakdown is at the end of this note.
This conference is specifically designed for senior women and nonbinary professionals in tech — not a broad industry event, but a peer group that maps directly to where I sit professionally. The programming is structured around leadership, technical depth, and cross-functional strategy, which aligns with [your current development goal or role trajectory, e.g., the leadership skills we discussed in my last review].
Two concrete takeaways I'm targeting: [e.g., a session track on engineering leadership I can apply to our current team structure challenge] and [e.g., a workshop on data strategy that maps directly to our roadmap]. I'll bring back notes formatted for the team, not just personal learning.
The time away is three days. I can prep coverage in advance and flag any critical deadlines that week so nothing falls through.
Post-event, I'll share a structured summary and flag at least two immediately applicable ideas within two weeks of returning.
Conference registration: $[X]
Travel: $[X]
Hotel (2 nights): $[X]
Meals and incidentals: $[X]
Total: $[X]
Let me know if you have questions.
[Your Name]
The team investment case
Hi [Manager's Name],
I'm requesting approval to attend the Women Who Code Summit in New York City, October 6–8. I want to frame this as a team investment, not just a personal one.
The conference runs over 200 sessions across tracks on AI, engineering, product, and leadership. I've already mapped [3–5 sessions] to challenges we're working through as a team right now, including [specific challenge, e.g., improving cross-functional handoffs / evaluating new AI tooling]. I'll document findings in a shareable format and can run a 30-minute team debrief within two weeks of returning.
Beyond content, this event is one of the stronger networking venues in tech for the audience we're trying to reach. I'll be intentional about conversations with [specific company type, partner profile, or candidate type] and will log any relevant contacts in our CRM the same day.
This is also a low-risk way to evaluate whether group attendance in future years makes sense — the conference offers team rates, and a scouting trip now saves budget guesswork later.
The time away is three days and I can prepare coverage in advance.
Conference registration: $[X]
Travel: $[X]
Hotel (2 nights): $[X]
Meals and incidentals: $[X]
Total: $[X]
Happy to discuss in detail before you decide.
[Your Name]
The flexible-ask case
Hi [Manager's Name],
I'd like to attend the Women Who Code Summit, October 6–8 in New York. I know budget is a consideration, so I'm proposing three options depending on what works.
For context: this conference is not broadly attended by our direct competitors, which means the peer network I'd build here is additive rather than redundant. The programming skews applied, and I've already identified sessions relevant to [specific company goal or current initiative].
Let me know which option makes the most sense, or if there's a budget ceiling I should work within.
[Your Name]
Talking Points That Land
Not sure how to start the conversation? These arguments address what most managers actually care about.
Leadership Development
At WomenWhoCode Summit, leadership development isn't just theory. It's real-world strategies, expert guidance, and insights you can apply immediately. The Leadership Development track covers strategic decision-making, change management, and effective communication — skills that move the needle at the mid-to-senior level.
Workforce Training & Upskilling
Highlight specific workshops or keynotes that align directly with your role and current projects. Whether it's mastering new tools, strengthening strategic thinking, or deepening expertise in a particular area — demonstrate how these learning opportunities drive success in your current responsibilities and future initiatives, not just your career generally.
Why WomenWhoCode Summit
Emphasize the conference's track record: thousands of influential attendees, a lineup of top-tier speakers, and a proven space for networking, career development, and professional growth. WomenWhoCode Summit offers access to industry innovators and conversations that shape the future of tech — in a room specifically built for people at your level.
Extra Ammunition
Leverage Insider Intel
Reach out to colleagues who attended previous WomenWhoCode Summits before you send your letter. Ask them about knowledge gained, connections made, and ways they applied new insights at work. A first-hand quote from a peer inside your company is worth more than any bullet point you can write yourself.
Pitch for Group Attendance
Take it further and make the case for bringing a team. Group attendance opens doors to shared learning and deeper networking opportunities — and sets your team up for long-term impact.
Email sponsors@womenwhocode.com to ask about group ticket packages.
Maximize Your ROI
- Map sessions against your top 3 company priorities before you travel
- Log every relevant new contact in your CRM within 24 hours
- Deliver a written summary within 10 business days
- Schedule a 30-minute team share-out within 3 weeks
- Come with at least 2 specific, actionable recommendations
Don't Accept the First No
- Ask for a budget ceiling and resubmit with Letter 04
- Offer to split the cost personally
- Propose conditional approval tied to a Q3/Q4 target
- Ask to put it on the plan for next year, in writing