Convince Your Boss to let you attend #PRIDESUMMIT

Pride Summit 2023: June 12th - 16th

So you’re trying to get your company to cover your Summit ticket?

Fret not, copy the letter below and fill it in as needed to show your boss all of the benefits of #PRIDESUMMIT.
Trust us, it works.

Give This Letter to Your Boss

Dear [MANAGER’S NAME],

I would like your approval to attend the Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit on [DATE]. This event is dedicated to supporting and amplifying queer techies and allies and will specifically offer specialized tech and career tracks providing the inspiration, education, and connections needed to continue being successful in my job.

This is not your typical conference. The Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit is queer, inclusive, and badass. It will bring together their most accomplished techies for an intimate conference focused on technology trends and career growth.

Quick facts about Summit:

  • Convening LGBTQ techies and allies from all over the world.
  • Only event in the world focused 100% providing value to LGBTQ women.
  • Past speakers include: Hillary Clinton, Bozoma Saint John, Stacey Abrams, Susan Wojcicki, Sheryl Sandberg, Kara Swisher, Megan Smith, Lydia Polgreen, and many more!

While attending, I’ll have the opportunity to meet and network with peers who are focused on the same challenges as me. Between the content presented in the sessions, I plan to continue to strengthen my skills in [X], [Y] and [Z], and walk away having learned [potential goals to model/adapt]:

  • Goal 1: Gain 2-3 technical resources to advance my work.
  • Goal 2: Make three connections with peers in my current role from similar companies to strengthen my work and develop a network.
  • Goal 3: Network with senior level executives to further develop my skills as a professional.
  • Goal 4: [if your company is hiring] Share current job openings at my company with job seekers attending the event.
The most recent Summit agenda can be found here and this event will have over 150 talks and current and past summit speakers include:
  • Kamala Harris, Vice President, United States
  • Elizabeth Warren, Senator, Massachusetts
  • Hillary Clinton, Former U.S. Senator & U.S. Secretary Of State
  • Stacey Abrams, Candidate For Governor, Georgia
  • Alicia Garza, Co-founder, #blacklivesmatter
  • Glennon Doyle ,Author & Podcast Host
  • Angelica Ross, Founder, Transtech & Actress, “Pose”
  • Megan Rapinoe, Pro Soccer Player, USWNT
  • Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Of The United States House Of Representatives
  • Gabrielle Giffords, Former United States Representative
  • Mark Kelly, Senator, United States & Astronaut
  • Katie Porter, U.S. Representative from California
  • Bozoma Saint John, Former CMO, Netflix
  • Kara Swisher, Podcast Host & NY Times Columnist
  • Joy Reid, MSNBC Host, The Reidout
  • Sundar Pichai, CEO, Alphabet
  • Sheryl Sandberg, Former COO, Facebook
  • Susan Wojcicki, CEO, Youtube
  • Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder & Chair, Emerson Collective
  • Melinda Gates, Philanthropist & Former GM, Microsoft
  • Chani Nicholas, Astrologer & Author
  • Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder & CEO, Bumble
  • Melody Hobson, President & Co-CEO Of Ariel Investments, Chairwoman, Starbucks Corporation
  • Pete Buttigieg, United States Secretary of Transportation
  • Gloria Steinem, Writer, Lecturer, Activist, & Feminist Organizer
  • London Breed, Mayor Of San Francisco
  • Mary Trump, Psychologist & Author
  • Rosie O’Donnell, Comedian, Television Producer, Actress, & Author
  • Tegan & Sara, Activists & Musicians
  • Layshia Clarendon, Pro Basketball Player, WNBA
  • Marc Benioff, CEO, Salesforce
  • Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary
  • Beth Ford, Ceo, Land O’Lakes
  • Tammy Baldwin, Senator, Wisconsin
  • Indigo Girls, Activists & Musicians
  • Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Author, Speaker, Digital Strategist
  • Roxane Gay, Writer, Professor, Editor, & Social Commentator
  • Sharice Davids, United States Representative
  • Sue Bird, Pro Basketball Player, WNBA
  • Sophia Bush, Actress, Activist, Director & Producer
  • Arlan Hamilton, Founder & Managing Partner, Backstage Capital
  • Jane Lynch, Actress, Comedian & Author
  • The L Word Cast

I know that it’ll cover a huge range of topics related to engineering, product, and design with a culturally relevant perspective. I’m confident that I’ll be able to build a packed agenda full of sessions relevant to what I’m working on.

I’m confident that my attendance at the Summit will directly influence the quality of my work on [PROJECT NAME].

When I get back from the Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit, I’m happy to share takeaways with the team, including those that we can implement immediately and outlines on how we’ll make that happen.

I’ve broken down the approximate cost of my attendance at the Lesbians Who Tech + Allies Summit:

  • Airfare/Travel: [$IF APPLICABLE]
  • Hotel: [$IF APPLICABLE]
  • Event Registration: [$AMOUNT]
  • TOTAL: [$AMOUNT]

The earlier I register, the cheaper it will be. You can learn more about the event at lesbianswhotech.org.

Thank you for taking the time to review this request, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
[YOUR NAME]

“Just wanted to say I’m SO incredibly excited to go the New York Summit! The “Convince Your Boss” letter was a fantastic resource and against all odds, the company said yes and is sponsoring my ticket! I just bought my ticket and am so completely thrilled 🙂 Thank you so much for this opportunity, I’m so excited and honored!” – C.E.