"Once you put together lost wages or fees, accommodation and flights, it doesn’t take long before this becomes a serious financial commitment. I wonder sometimes whether people who attend presentations whilst being on company wages and expenses really appreciate that."
What contractors sometimes fail to appreciate is that it isn't necessarily easier for permies, just different. We still have to ask the company to pick up the tab for our expenses (not to mention lost billing for us consultants), and the company reserves the right to say, "No, you cannot go". For some reason Open World is a harder sale than UKOUG. Perhaps our bosses think going to San Francisco might be more of a jolly than going to Birmingham....
Fortunately I have have some supportive managers at LogicaCMG and my business case has finally been approved. So I'll have to dig out that company polo shirt again.
