AU 2026 | September 15–17
Convince your manager
AU 2026 helps you build skills you can apply right away
Explore 500+ sessions focused across Design & Make industries, get hands-on with the latest technology, and connect with people solving challenges like yours. If you need approval to attend, use the resources below to make a clear, business-focused case, including a customizable email and estimated costs.
Make your case
Below is a customizable email template to help you communicate the value of attending AU 2026 to your manager. The calculator is pre-populated with estimated averages, but we recommend customizing it to reflect your personal AU experience.
Cost calculator
Hi [insert manager's name],
I’m requesting approval to attend AU 2026: The Design & Make Conference, happening September 15-17 in Las Vegas. This event offers targeted learning and practical insights I can apply directly to our work.
After reviewing this year’s agenda, several session themes align closely with our focus on [insert project, challenge, or goal]. Attending would help me develop relevant skills and bring back ideas we can put into practice.
Here’s why I think it’s worth it:
Focused on our priorities
500+ sessions to choose from, tailored to [objective/goal], to gain insights that can be put to work right away.
Skills I can use immediately
Hands-on sessions focused on real tools and workflows that can help improve efficiency and delivery.
Insight into what’s next
Better visibility into where the industry is heading and Autodesk’s strategies for new products and tools, especially around AI in Action, Intelligent Data, and Integrated Workflows, helping inform future decisions and opportunities for our team.
A network we can lean on
Engaging with peers and experts helps to create a network we can rely on for benchmarking, ideas, and problem-solving.
Estimated cost:
The full conference pass is $2,250, and the total estimated cost, including travel and hotel, is around [total-cost]. If I book before August 3, I can take advantage of the early bird rate of $1,999, which is a savings of about 11%. Once I get your approval, I will book early and keep travel costs as low as possible.
What I will do to prepare for and get the most out of this event:
• Create a focused learning plan before attending
• Share a recap with key takeaways and next steps and a summary of impact for our team
• Work with the team to apply at least [insert number] ideas or workflows toward our projects
I’d love to discuss this further in our next 1:1. Since AU is also offering an Executive Track geared toward managers, it seems like there could be meaningful value for you as well, alongside the hands-on learning opportunities for me.
Thanks for your consideration,
[Your name]
Why attending AU 2026 matters
AU offers opportunities for professional development, skill enhancement, and exposure to innovations across the Design & Make industries.
Access 500+ expert-led sessions covering the latest in design technology, workflows, and industry trends.
Network with thousands of peers and industry leaders from around the globe.
Get hands-on experiences with new tools and technologies.
Learn best practices that can be immediately implemented in your organization.
Stay connected!
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