Before making your request, explore whether your organization already supports continuing education. Some employers offer reimbursement programs or set aside funds specifically for professional development. If you’re unsure, check with your HR representative—or whoever oversees HR responsibilities at your practice, clinic, or hospital. If financial support is available, learn what steps are required to apply. And if it’s not an official benefit, your HR contact may still be able to guide you toward alternative funding sources, such as departmental budgets or event allocations, and offer insight on how best to position your request.

Use your message to clearly explain why HiVE matters to your growth and to the organization. Highlight how the content aligns with your professional objectives and your team’s needs.

For example:

• Beyond 10 hours of CE, you'll build real-world skills, step by step, by peers who get it.
• Content is intentionally designed for YOU and your role with the space you need to reflect, practice and connect.
• You'll leave with practical skills, renewed confidence and a bigger community close to home.
• Proceedings and course notes are provided. Always.

Review the program schedule in advance and identify sessions that directly support your objectives. Narrow your list to your top five to ten choices and note the practical takeaways you expect from each.

Consider how your supervisor prefers to receive information. While submitting a written proposal is often helpful, some leaders respond better to an initial face-to-face conversation. If that sounds like your boss, start by sharing your interest in attending a HiVE event and explaining that you’ve prepared a summary outlining costs and benefits for their review. When drafting your email or letter, adjust the tone and length based on your boss’s style. If they’re pressed for time, keep it concise and direct. If they prefer detailed analysis, include supporting information and specifics. A sample request template is available below.

While registering early for HiVE does save on cost, attending involves additional expenses such as travel and accommodations. Be prepared to outline these costs thoughtfully. More importantly, emphasize the return on investment. Expanding your expertise benefits not just your individual career, but your employer, your clients, and your patients. Strengthened skills can improve efficiency, service quality, and overall practice performance. Framing attendance as a strategic investment–rather than simply an expense–can make your case more compelling.

Even leaders who value professional development may face budget or timing limitations. If your request isn’t approved, ask whether providing additional details would help reconsideration. If funding for one of year's HiVE events isn’t feasible, explore whether planning ahead for next year could be an option.