Bringing a Team Member to Conference?

“Taking a local team member to the conference was a game-changer in the best way – not only for our personal friendship but for the business!” – Elisabeth Tabor, Coastal Bend Mom Collective Owner

Considering bringing a Team Member to Conference?

We are thrilled to be able to once again offer an opportunity for not only Sister Site Owners but their team members to attend Sister Site Conference 2022. Team Members have been attending Sister Site Conference for many years and have seen tremendous benefit. Here are just a few of the many quotes we have received from local team members who have attended:

Alamo City Team | Sister Site Conference 2020

“There is an undeniable sense of community when all of the sites are together in the same room. It re-energizes to feel that connection and provides a sense of togetherness that can’t be matched. We are all collectively working towards the same goals and dreams, all the while wanting to better our business. Plus, it’s incredibly fun and I haven’t laughed that hard in months!”
– Erin Ross, Alamo City Moms Team Member
“Sister Site Conference is a great way to connect with other moms who are in a similar position as you. Whether it’s a site owner or a team member, everyone has something to learn from someone else about their role. I’ve always believed in the importance of face-to-face interaction so conference makes the time together so valuable. I always leave the conference inspired and with so many new ideas to take home and implement with our site.”
-Katie Goncalves, Detroit Mom Team Member

Not sure yet? We have answers to the most common questions Site Owners have as they decide who to bring with them to Sister Site Conference.

Ft Worth Team | Sister Site Conference 2019

1. How will it benefit your business? Think about how the conference session programming and/or networking opportunities are beneficial for the professional development of your organization and how it specifically relates to the local positions of each of your team member(s). Professional development is an incredible benefit that can grow your business both by solidifying community connections within the network and spurring on new ideas within sessions while sitting with like-minded team members learning together.

2. How will it benefit YOU, as the business leader? We know that site ownership can feel lonely at times and having devoted team members makes a huge difference. Many site owners find that the attendance of their team member(s) is incredibly beneficial for them, as the site owner, as it brings a team together n a space dedicated to brainstorming and growing the business.

If you decide to bring team members with, it’s important not just to bring them along, but to be intentional to ensure that you make the most of your time together while in attendance. Additionally, this gives you the chance to benefit from more of the sessions directly by making a plan with your team as to who will attend each session. In fact, you benefit most when you attend sessions apart from your team, then come back together at the end of each day to share what you’ve learned and how it can move your business forward.

3. Have you considered how bringing some, but not all, team members might impact your local relationships? If you aren’t able to bring your whole team, some Site Owners have rotated team positions that attend conferences. If this year your Sales person attends, perhaps the following conference you can invite your Editor. Even without your full team attending, you can make everyone feel involved by planning a recap meeting after the conference where you, and those who attend with you, share the ideas learned and bring the rest of your team into the conversation.

Kansas City Team | Sister Site Conference 2019

4. Have you considered the costs to the business associated with bringing a team member? There are costs associated with a team member attending the conference (Event Ticket, Travel, Accommodations, etc).  While site owners decide independently how they will manage this with their team members, you’ll want to be thoughtful in budgeting for a team member’s attendance. Please see notes below regarding proper payment structure recommendations.

5. As it relates to the costs for bringing a team member to the conference, have you considered the legalities in bringing a team member to the conference?  We highly recommend you seek independent legal counsel in your community for any specific questions regarding the legal operation of your site, contracts, agreements, etc. An attorney licensed to practice law in your state will best be able to ensure that all circumstances, language, and education revolving around the way you work with your local team adhere to local and state laws and account for individual circumstances.

It’s up to each site owner to decide if they will be covering the cost of their team members’ travel, lodging and registration fees. Should you choose to cover the costs to bring your local team members, and because most of our sister sites hire their team members as contractors, rather than employees, it’s important for us to note the following as you make your plans to join us in Scottsdale this year.

Our understanding of contract law for most states as it relates to continuing education travel for your contractors is that your team members should be paying for all costs outright, then submitting to you for reimbursement. Again, we are not lawyers and cannot provide you with an authority of legal understanding as it relates to contract and employee law in your state, but we do encourage you to look into that, do you due diligence, then make a plan for how you will work with your team to manage payment of registration, travel and lodging.

Final Note: Team Member attendance is dependent on their site owner’s invitation.