Demonstrating the Return on Investment

Managers are more likely to approve conference attendance when there is a clear plan for applying what is learned.

When requesting approval, consider discussing how you will:

  • Focus on sessions that are directly relevant to your role and your organisation's priorities.
  • Identify practical ideas and solutions that could improve services, processes or patient outcomes.
  • Learn from organisations that have already tackled similar challenges, helping avoid costly mistakes and accelerate implementation.
  • Build relationships with peers and experts who can become valuable contacts beyond the conference.
  • Share key insights, resources and recommendations with colleagues after the event so the wider team benefits.
  • Identify one or more practical actions or opportunities that could be explored within your organisation following the conference.

Digital Health Week is designed around the belief that connection drives action - bringing together the people, ideas and practical experiences that help organisations make better decisions, strengthen collaboration and accelerate positive change across New Zealand's health and disability system.

The template below can be customised to suit your role and your organisation's priorities

Subject: Request to attend the 2026 Digital Health Week Conference in Auckland

Kia ora [Manager’s Name],

I'd like to request approval to attend the 2026 Digital Health Week Conference, taking place on 18-19 November 2026 at the Due Drop Events Centre in Auckland.

The conference brings together more than 1,100 people from across New Zealand's health and disability sector, including clinicians, health leaders, digital teams, researchers, policymakers and technology partners. The programme has over 180 different presentations, focusing on practical case studies, emerging technologies and lessons learned from organisations implementing digital health initiatives.

I believe attending would provide value for our organisation by helping me to:

  • learn practical approaches that can be applied to our current work and future initiatives.
  • stay up to date with emerging developments in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, digital health, data and workforce transformation. 
  • learn from organisations that have successfully implemented digital health initiatives, including the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned.
  • build relationships with peers across the health and disability sector to exchange ideas, explore collaborations and identify new opportunities.
  • identify ideas and opportunities that could improve the way we deliver services. 

To ensure we receive value from this investment, I will:

  • prioritise sessions that align with our organisational goals 
  • prepare a summary of the key insights, innovations and contacts most relevant to our work/team 
  • share practical learnings, resources and contacts with colleagues after the conference
  • identify actions or opportunities that could be explored within our organisation. 

Estimated investment:

  • Registration: [insert registration cost] 
  • Travel and accommodation: [insert estimate] 
  • Total: [insert total] 

I believe the knowledge, ideas and connections gained will provide lasting value that extends well beyond the two days of the conference, supporting both my professional development and our organisation's objectives.

I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

Ngā mihi nui | Kind regards,

[Your Name]