Make the case for attending Button
Want to go to Button but need budget approval? Here’s everything you need to make the pitch to your manager — talking points, a pre-written email, and answers to the questions they're most likely to ask.
The one-liner for Slack or email
"Button, the content design conference happens September 24–25, fully online. I'd love to attend this year. Can we find a few minutes to talk about it?"
The goal of the first message is just to get a conversation, not to close the deal. Keep it short.
Talking points for your pitch
I’ll come back with knowledge I can apply immediately
Button sessions are led by practitioners doing this work right now. The talks cover AI, content systems, UX writing, and leadership, and I'll bring back ideas and frameworks I can put to use on current projects.
It's online — no travel cost or time away from the office
Button is fully online, September 24–25. No flights, no hotels, no out-of-office coverage needed. I can still be available if anything urgent comes up.
I’ll learn alongside people facing the same challenges we are
Over 1,000 content designers from 40+ countries attend each year, from companies like Amazon, Atlassian, Microsoft, and SAP. The conversations in Q&As, watch parties, and the Button Slack are where some of the most valuable learning happens — direct access to how other teams solve the same problems we face.
Recordings ensure I can stay on top of work while still getting full value from the conference.
Every session is recorded and available through September 2027. If I can’t watch something live, I can catch it later. The whole library is included with a pass.
If budget is a concern, there are discounts available
Button offers $100 off for nonprofit employees, government employees, students, self-employed practitioners, and people who are currently unemployed. And if it makes sense to send a few of us, team passes bring the cost down further.
What attendees say about Button
“Button was literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my professional career. I learned a ton and feel as though I’ve been initiated into a community full of the most wonderful, supportive, and inspiring people I’ve ever had the privilege to learn from. THANK YOU.”
“Hearing from the people who get [content] and can explain it is validating, liberating, and electrifying. This entire experience recharges my batteries and reframes my lens of the world.”
Questions your boss might ask
“Is this a good use of conference budget?”
Button is specifically for content designers, not a general tech conference where content design is one track among many. Every session is relevant to the work I do.
“How is this different from just watching talks online for free?”
The live experience is different — Q&As with speakers, watch parties with peers, access to the Button Slack community where conversations continue after the conference. Button is participatory, and the relationships built there tend to last.
“What will you actually bring back?”
I’ll write up key takeaways and share them with the team. Sessions are recorded, so I can share insights from specific talks that are relevant to projects we're working on. I'll come back with concrete ideas I can put to work right away.
“Can we do this next year instead?”
The program this year is particularly relevant to what we're working on — [AI and content / content systems / whatever fits]. Early-bird pricing ends May 29, so waiting costs an extra $100. I'd like to go this year while the topics are timely.
Pre-written email to your manager
Customize the bracketed parts and send, or use it as a starting point.
Hi [Manager name],
I'd like to request budget approval to attend Button 2026, the content design conference. It's September 24–25, fully online — so no travel or out-of-office time needed.
The program this year covers [AI and content design / content systems / UX writing leadership — pick what's most relevant], which maps directly to [the project / challenge / area we're focused on]. I think it would be a high-value two days.
A few specifics:
Cost: Individual passes are $595 [or $495 with early-bird pricing through May 29]. [Add applicable discount code if relevant: nonprofit, government, etc.]
Format: Fully online. I can attend from work and be available if anything urgent comes up.
What I'll bring back: I'll write up key takeaways and share insights and notes from all the sessions that are relevant to the team's current work.
Happy to share the program so you can see what's on.
Would you be open to approving this?
[Your name]
Ready to register once you have the green light?
See pricing options and register for Button 2026.
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