Build a Business Case for GitHub Universe
Conference season is here, and GitHub Universe 2022 is on the horizon. If you want to attend in person, you'll likely need budget approval from your manager. Getting that "yes" is easier when you come prepared with a well-structured request. Here's how to make the case.
Know the Event Inside Out
Before you ask for anything, research the conference thoroughly. You should be able to answer basic questions without hesitation: What attendance formats are available (in-person and virtual)? What are the exact dates and times, and do they conflict with your current workload? What do tickets cost? Who are the speakers, and what sessions are on offer?
Details for GitHub Universe 2022 are on the official website. The full schedule of sessions, workshops, and speakers is set to be published by mid-October.
Frame the Value for Your Team
Next, articulate how attending benefits your organization, not just you. The 2022 conference features content tracks spanning security, community, cloud, and AI, along with networking opportunities, demo spaces, and hands-on workshops. Attending means you can learn directly from industry experts in real time—knowledge you can bring back to your role.
Map the conference agenda to your team's current goals and projects. Show how a specific session or workshop could help solve a problem you're working on or inform your roadmap.
Do the Cost Calculations Yourself
The easier you make the approval process, the better. Come to your manager with a complete cost breakdown already prepared, including:
- Airfare
- Lodging
- Food
- Local transportation to and from the airport, hotel, and venue
- Conference ticket (in-person or virtual)
Note that GitHub Universe tickets are 20% off until September 30. Timing your request with that discount strengthens your case.
Write a Concise Formal Request
Once your numbers are ready, send a formal email request to your manager. Keep it short and to the point—your manager is busy, and a clear, easy-to-approve request is more likely to succeed. GitHub has provided a template you can adapt for this purpose.
Promise a Knowledge Share
Close your pitch by committing to share what you learn. Tell your manager you'll deliver a post-conference briefing to your team, connecting the content from Universe directly to your company's objectives. This demonstrates that the investment has ongoing value beyond your own development.
To make that briefing useful, plan to take notes throughout the event and engage actively in workshops, talks, and demos. Recording short video content while you're there can also give your team a more immediate sense of the experience when you return.
GitHub Universe 2022 covers the critical topics of cloud, security, community, and AI. Whether you attend in person in San Francisco or virtually—the virtual pass is free—the event is designed for developers looking to stay current in their field.
