But chances are, you aren’t looking to spend your company’s travel budget to change your employees’ lives. You’re more interested in changing the bottom line, and that’s what will happen when you send your creative staff to the most important annual design event of the year—HOW Design Live will give them the tangible benefits that will make them more productive, more efficient, more effective as designers.

In other words, you’ll see real ROI.

Here’s how HOW Design Live will help your creative team save or make your company money.

They’ll strengthen (and broaden) their skill set.
From creativity to business to the latest technology, the HOW Design Live program covers every facet of graphic design in one four-day event. Your team will get real-world information and processes they can put into practice as soon as they get home, balanced by inspirational work from industry stars and up-and-coming designers.

They’ll be more proficient in design software.
Software gurus—many of them actively involved in software development—will explore all the bells, whistles and practical features of the newest and best design software. They'll help your team make the most of their current design tools, too, even if they can't upgrade to every new version.

They'll learn how to save the company money.
Sponsored technology sessions presented by the makers of graphic design products and services are designed to help your team use their tools more efficiently and cost-effectively. And in the Exhibit Hall, your designers will meet new vendors with new solutions (and maybe even better pricing). This is all information they can put to use when you have to negotiate the purchase of new products, services or printing. As a bonus, they’ll head home with armfuls of free samples—information to fuel a future project or inspire a new production process.

They’ll learn how to make the most of the resources you already have.
Whether you want them to inspire their co-workers to greater heights of innovation or need to get by on an older version of design software, your team will learn tips for capitalizing on your current resources.

They’ll learn how to be more creative, consistently.
Each of the four HOW Design Live conferences has plenty of sessions on creativity—from brainstorming techniques to unusual brochure folds to building designs around typography.

They’ll pick up ideas you can apply to your own business.
The presenters at HOW share real-world case studies from a broad spectrum of companies who’ve proven that good design = good business.

They’ll make valuable connections.
From networking events like Lunch with a Speaker to receptions inside the Exhibit Hall, your team will meet accomplished creatives with unique skills and experiences to share—a collaborative network they can tap long after the conference. They can even look for potential hires in the Portfolio Review.

They’ll find new vendors and resources.
The HOW and Dieline Exhibit Halls are packed with innovative suppliers of printing, paper, stock imagery, software and other tools of the design trade—all with the potential for better pricing, better results or both!

They’ll help our company stay current.
With sessions on app design, new type technologies for the web and making your way in a digital world, HOW is the place to explore trends and learn new skills—from the smartest and most creative minds in the industry.

They can share what they learn with officemates after the Conference.
Combining their own notes and ideas with the session handouts provided by HOW, your team will have plenty of inspiration and information to share when they return. And for an additional fee, they can place your order for audio MP3s of most sessions while on-site, with delivery within 30 days post-Conference.

Conference costs may be tax deductible.
Since the conferences of HOW Design Live are a continuing education expense taken to maintain and improve your team’s professional skills, registration fees, travel, meals and lodging may be tax deductible. But you should check with the company CPA just to be certain.

HOW Design Live is an investment for your company.