Sample Justification Letter

Do you need help convincing leadership to support your registration and travel to the IEDC 2025 Rural Retreat? Our team has compiled key talking points to help you garner professional and financial support from your organization.

If email is best, we’ve prepared the following template to share the benefits of attending this year’s Rural Retreat and an outline of estimated expenses. Or you can use the same talking points in a conversation with your supervisor.

Request for Approval to Attend the 2025 IEDC Rural Retreat 

To: [Supervisor’s Name] 
From: [Your Name] 
Date: [Insert Date] 
Subject: Request for Approval to Attend the 2025 IEDC Rural Retreat – June 23-25, 2025 

I am requesting approval to attend the 2025 IEDC Rural Retreat: Rural Recharged – New Energy, New Possibilities, taking place June 23-25, 2025, in Great Falls, Montana. This event is a premier gathering of 400+ rural economic development leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders dedicated to fostering economic growth, resilience, and innovation in rural and tribal communities. 

The conference is planned in partnership with rural leaders, for rural leaders, with an emphasis on cross-sector collaboration, best practices, and transformative strategies to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in rural economic development. 

Attending the 2025 Rural Retreat will provide: 

  • Access to Leading Experts & Peer Exchange: Engage with thought leaders, policymakers, and economic development professionals to discuss cutting-edge strategies that directly impact our work. 
  • Actionable Takeaways: Gain insights into best practices, tools, and case studies that can be applied to enhance economic development initiatives. 
  • Opportunities for Collaboration: Build connections with potential partners, funders, and community leaders committed to strengthening rural and tribal economies. 
  • Firsthand Exposure to Rural Economic Success Stories: Learn from innovative projects and policy initiatives that are transforming rural communities. 

Conference Details 

  • Event Name: 2025 IEDC Rural Retreat – Rural Recharged: New Energy, New Possibilities 
  • Dates: June 23-25, 2025 
  • Location: Mansfield Convention Center, Great Falls, Montana 
  • Expected Attendance: 400+ rural economic development professionals 
Key Themes & Tracks: 
  • Igniting Entrepreneurship and Innovation  
  • Revitalizing our Mainstreet's  
  • Powering the Future: Energy, Infrastructure, and Utilities 
  • Tourism as a Catalyst
  • Solving Rural Housing and Workforce Challenges  
  • Attracting and Growing Rural Industry

Sample Program:  

 

Estimated Costs 

Expense 

Cost Estimate 

Registration 

[Insert Cost] 

Airfare 

[Insert Cost] 

Hotel (3 nights) 

[Insert Cost] 

Meals (covered meals included) 

[Insert Cost] 

Transportation (rental car, rideshare, or shuttle) 

[Insert Cost] 

Miscellaneous (parking, incidentals, etc.) 

[Insert Cost] 

Total Estimated Cost 

[Insert Total] 

IEDC has negotiated special hotel rates with limited availability at various hotels in Great Falls, ensuring cost-effective accommodations. 

Return on Investment 

By attending this conference, I will gain: 

  • New insights on rural economic trends and strategies that align with our organization’s goals. 
  • Tangible tools and case studies that can inform our rural economic development initiative
  • Opportunities to connect with funding sources for rural and tribal economic development projects
  • A network of industry professionals for future collaborations. 


I appreciate your consideration of this request and would be happy to discuss how this opportunity aligns with our strategic objectives. 

Thank you for your time and support. 

Sincerely, 
[Your Name]