29-31 May 2017

Adelaide, South Australia

SUPPORT TO ASSIST YOU TOGAIN APPROVAL

This short document and the associated Letter to Request Approval have been produced to assist you to gain approval to attend the Australian Smart Communities Conference.

ASCA understands that you may need to justify spending the time and money to attend. We also understand that the community or communities with which you work are looking to stay competitive in today’s market by embracing the opportunities of the digital age. This Conference will provide you with insights into how to achieve this outcome.

Follow these guidelines and use the attached letter to gain support from your supervisor or manager.

Step 1

Review the Conference program–Check out the presentations and the thought leaders you will learn from. You have the opportunity to attend each session and use the dedicated networking functions to meet, share and learn from peers and smart community leaders to find solutions to your community’s challenges and identify new opportunities.

Step 2

Save money:

  • Register and pay before 17 April 2017 and save up to 15% on the conference registration fee.
  • Take advantage of coffee breaks and lunches to help cut costs of eating out.

Step 3

Complete the Request Letter templateand submit to your supervisor / manager. This letter will help you demonstrate why you should attend the Conference.

Step 4

Report your learnings.Commit to a post-conference briefing with your team or senior management to highlight what you’ve learnt and what can be implemented within the community or communities where you work. Speaker presentation slides will be made available wherever possible.

We look forward to seeing you in May 2017!

Dear [Supervisor],

The Australian Smart Communities Conferenceis the leading event of its kind in Australia, run by practitioners for practitioners at a host location with demonstrations of existing installations both in Australia and overseas.

The conference is attracting attendees from a wide range of organisations, including business innovators with new smart community technologies, digital hero companies playing a part in making Australia a connected series of smart communities, and local, state and national government decision makers who drive implementation of smart projects and policies.

Next year’s conferencefollows the success of ASCA’s inaugural event on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in March 2016 which attracted 160 delegates, sponsors and exhibitors. It showcased technologies, case studies and presentations from thought leaders representing leading technology, telecommunications and infrastructure providers, as well as local government, universities and key research organisations.

ASCAis a not-for-profit organisation built on the premise of sharing information and advocating for the resources to assist the localised transition to a digital economy. The organisation facilitates, promotes and advises on how communities can build liveable, sustainable, workable smart cities. ASCA puts citizens, local businesses and stakeholders at the core of its activities.

ASCA members are made up of local governments, Regional Development Australia committees, Regional Organisations of Councils, industry, businesses and individuals who collectively represent 8.1 million Australians - or 1 in 3 Australians.

ASCA wants Australian communities to have the infrastructure and capacity, and to demonstrate the innovation, to forge thriving digital economies. TheConference program reflects this fact.

The adoption of smart technology in city/town management, energy, water, health and transport, along with high-speed broadband is tipped to add more than 70,000 jobs to the Australian economy and bring 1.5 percent growth to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product within five years.

In this way, the 2017 Conference provides first opportunity in Australia to connect with, be introduced to, learn from, and become inspired by national and international leaders at the forefront of what it takes to become a smart community.

The conference theme of Creating smarter cities and communities will highlight case studies which are relevant and applicable to communities across Australia, such as Adelaide’s deployments in smart parking, energy and lighting management. It will also feature international and national speakers who will guide delegates on what government and communities need to do to:

  • Bring about transformational change to the way communities are managed.
  • Embrace the right technologies to build robust, smart economies.
  • Focus attention on enhancing skills to take greatest advantage of digital connectivity.
  • Promote innovation and creativity to the benefit of everyone in society.

The Conference provides exceptional opportunities for education, networking and professional development. After reviewing the conference program, I have identified that the majority of sessions will provide much useful information which I believe I will be able to apply to my role and our organisation. In fact, I believe my participation is critical to bring new ideas and approaches to our organisation and further my professional development.

The event is being held from 29-31 May 2017 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, in South Australia.

I request approval to attend.

The following costs are associated with attending the Australian Smart Communities Conference:

Airfare$______

Hotel$______

Registration fee$______

Miscellaneous (meals/taxi)$______

This investment will pay off in more efficient practices, proven solutions, new insights and ideas. In addition, I can provide a report of my key takeaways and recommended actions to our team.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I will work to make sure we get the full value of my participation.

Sincerely,

[Your name]