tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post2086506366925984391..comments2008-03-16T09:41:39.236-04:00Chris Blatnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663915882578156454noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-56713039387348047922008-03-16T09:41:00.000-04:002008-03-16T09:41:00.000-04:00@Hutch...well...I spoke at ILUG last year and I happen to be on the list for this year as well, so that's not the problem. ;-) <BR/>The thing is trying to get there without having to have it all be out of *my* pocket! <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, I don't happen to have any customers outside of the "Cle-berg" area. lol!Chris Blatnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663915882578156454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-20065215597978264222008-03-16T09:35:00.000-04:002008-03-16T09:35:00.000-04:00One of the best ways I've found to get approval for conferences is to participate. Give a talk, chair a session, etc (and get that speaker/chair discount to boot!). <BR/><BR/>Also, it helps if you can dove-tail side trips to customers, vendors, others to justify the trip.Hutchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270166398294817830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-382476165721819322008-03-06T14:12:00.000-05:002008-03-06T14:12:00.000-05:00Chris, tell him you need to check out sales tactics used by the sponsors. So it's basically sales training for you. <BR/><BR/>Giuseppe: Now that is REALLY easy. It goes like this: "Honey, would you like to go to Dublin with me for a few days in June?". Tried that with my wife last year and it worked perfectly.Joerg Michaelhttp://jmichael.eunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-63162686866892052642008-03-06T12:21:00.000-05:002008-03-06T12:21:00.000-05:00You are lucky: How do I convince my wife to let me go to ILUG?Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09380983503224868116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-88924987632918553872008-03-06T12:03:00.000-05:002008-03-06T12:03:00.000-05:00@chris<BR/><BR/>How about ...<BR/><BR/>"Dear boss, in a most unexpected turn of events I find myself pregnant. My doctor has found me to be some what anemic and has prescribed a course of Iron Supplements. Alas I find myself highly allergic to these tablets and as a result of several tests it has been worked out that the only Iron I can ingest is in liquid form. As Guinness is an excellent source of Iron I humbly request a week of absence to attend therapy sessions in Dublin. By happy coincidence this happens to be at the same time as ILUG..... "<BR/><BR/>Worked for me last year....;-)<BR/>SteveSteve McDonaghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09211785785682223613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077086.post-27739362536250488202008-03-06T11:41:00.000-05:002008-03-06T11:41:00.000-05:00You will have at least two Pittsburgh people at ILUG if that's any help :-)Declan Lynchhttp://www.qtzar.comnoreply@blogger.com