Work and Play

   This week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in St. Augustine for the Florida Public Relations Association's annual conference. I am an incoming board member for the Ocala chapter (president-elect) and felt strongly about attending this conferene. The original cost of the conference was $595 plus lodging at $130/night for 3 nights. Including the cost of travel and food, this conference WOULD HAVE cost me over $1,000, which is not in our budget.

   So what I did, was write a proposal to my administration outlining what I would get from the conference both professionally and personally. This is most comonly known as an ROI, return on investment. What is your employer going to get back from their investment in sending you to the training? Some of the highlights included in my proposal were crisis communications, event planning, social media tactics and leadership development. I sent a complete agenda with my letter and indicated which sessions I found to be most interesting and beneficial for my position at work. My request was approved.

  Not only did my agency pay for this training and the lodging expenses, I was authorized to take my department car - saving on gas, and I was given a per diem check for food expenses.

   I tell you I drove to St. Augustine, stayed in one of the nicest resorts in the state - the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort (Google it, it's sick), received 3 days of professional development training and delicious food while I was there, for nothing. I spent my last $5 on the afternoon of my return on a cup of Starbucks cofee.

   If you have the opportunity to travel for work, ask that the company pay for as much as possible. Keep receipts for everything you pay for personally, which is tax deductible. Also, while you're working, try to "play" during all your free time so you get some personal benefit from your trip as well.