Don't set yourself up for failure. If you do get the opportunity to go, make sure you bring back content you learned from the sessions, new regulations or techniques you learned, or new safety equipment to help you with an issue with your workforce and management. The more times you go to a conference and don't come back with any additional knowledge then it just was a boondoggle. I also like to do as others have mentioned in previewing the classes that will be available and share those with your boss. Additionally, if you have a Safety Team (Safety Committee or Steering Team) but they are not going, ask them to look over the brochure to see if there are some sessions we should attend to help with a topic we are currently dealing with (LOTO, Respiratory Protection, etc.).

In addition to the advice provided, check the expo hall list if you’re in the market for any specific Safety products, gear, solutions, etc - that could be another reason to go.

If you have a certification to maintain, the cost of going to one conference may help you satisfy a chunk of points.

I recommend pulling the sessions you plan to attend and discuss how they match both your professional development goals and the company goals (post-conference knowledge sharing, relation to any company initiatives, department programs, etc.).

I would show them the itinerary and speaker list for the events. Normally they get great speakers who provide fantastic functional content for safety.