How to write a business trip proposal.

Learn how to write a business trip proposal that will get approved quickly so you can organize and confirm company-related travel.

There are many reasons to take business trips. You can attend conferences, visit other company locations, or just go on a team-building retreat. Of course, you won’t be going anywhere without your company’s approval. That’s where learning how to write a business trip proposal comes in.

What’s a business trip proposal?

A business trip proposal is a document designed to convince management to let employees leave the office for work-related travel and to cover all (or at least most) of the travel expenses.

This proposal is essential because it opens the door for an opportunity to network with new and old clients and potentially reach new markets. The business travel proposal sets clear expectations for management and all who are traveling to set the trip off on the right foot and ensure everyone is on the same page.

What to include in a business travel proposal.

If a business is going to pay for an employee’s trip, there needs to be a good reason. That’s why it’s important to include all the trip details (plus a little persuasion) so the company can determine if it’s worth the investment.

Be sure to include at least the following information in your business trip proposal:

• Reasons for attending
• Destination and dates
• Names of company attendees
• Detailed itinerary
• Expenses, including hotel, airfare, rental cars, meals, and more

If you make a strong enough case, management will sign off on the business trip proposal so that you can finalize travel plans for yourself and your colleagues.

3 steps to writing a business trip proposal.

To create a business trip proposal, you need to take the following steps — choose potential business travel accommodations, create a business trip itinerary, and finally write your proposal.

1. Choose potential business travel accommodations.

When choosing accommodations, you should consider the price and convenience of the location. You should prioritize accommodations that are close to where your travel destination is rather than a deluxe resort stay. Keep in mind local events, holidays, and other occurrences that may increase traffic during your stay.

2. Create a business trip itinerary.

Include as much detail as possible to help plans run smoothly and ensure that you are in control of your schedule. Any dates, times, transportation details, addresses of the accommodations, and reservations should be included. Leave time for potential traffic delays, traveling, and general breaks in between events.

3. Keep your business travel proposal short.

When creating your business travel proposal, you should include plenty of details while keeping information concise. Business leaders are booked with meetings and tasks all day, so use a simple format with a font that is easy to read. Support your proposal about why this trip is essential to business success with examples and stats, if possible.

Make your business trip proposal approval ready.

To make sure there aren’t any miscommunications down the road, you should aim to get a signature on any business trip proposal. Once signed, it means you have the approval needed to not just propose the trip but also confirm the details.

To make it easy to approve business trip proposals, use e-signature software like Adobe Acrobat. Your manager can add their legal signature with the click of a button right from their computer or nearly any mobile device.

Explore what more you can do with Acrobat to make creating and approving business trip proposals fast and easy.