So you want to go to MOMcon, but your piggy bank is on the light side. What you need is a plan, and the good news is you have plenty of time to budget for this amazing event! Start now – while Convention tickets are on sale!

Step 1: Make a realistic expense list; talk to your leadership team about pooling funds and sharing costs.

Step 2: Determine monthly savings to build your event fund. Starting now gives you more time to plan and more time to save.

Step 3: Cut back on expenses to add to your fund. Dining out one less time could add $25-$50 to your MOPS Convention fund each month!

Step 4: Talk to your church about sponsoring part of the cost. Can they match funds, or possibly cover event registration for your team?

Step 5: Fundraise! What can you and your travel partners make/bake/do to raise funds? Determine a realistic goal - $500, $1000, 50% of your event related costs – whatever the amount, set an achievable goal that will give your group a sense of accomplishment while helping to cover event costs.

We’ve done a lot of the budgeting homework for you! Below you’ll find the information you need to start planning for MOPS Convention:

The Event: MOMcon tickets are just $199 through June 18. Register now to take advantage of early bird savings!

Accommodations: Based on quad occupancy at the Marriott or Crown Plaza hotels next to the KC Convention Center: $146-$156 (rate include continental breakfast to-go) 

Airfare: *Rates vary depending on airline, dates of travel, and dates of booking. MOPS staffers found rates of $190-240 per person round trip from different areas of the country into Kansas City.

Gas: Driving a minivan from Denver to Kansas City you’d need 2 tanks of gas (starting on empty) to get there – that’s a 9.5 hour drive. Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and many other cities are even closer. Wichita, Omaha & Des Moines are just 3 hours away. If you live within driving distance of Kansas City, getting to MOMcon is really affordable!

Van Rental: If your team isn’t blessed to have a van at your disposal, rent one! Carrying 7+ passengers in a rented van is cheaper than driving 2 or 3 separate vehicles to the event. We found a deal at www.Hotwire.com for a 7 passenger minivan - $52 per day, unlimited mileage! *Check deals in your area – pricing varies by location, vehicle and dates.

Eats: The Convention Center is within walking distance of the Power & Light District featuring everything from Chipotle to high end steak houses and all price points in between. *At the Marriott or Crown Plaza, breakfast will be provided. Plan for $10-27 per meal for lunch & dinner, depending on your personal taste and budget.

Now it’s your turn! Grab a pen and a piece of paper and start crunching the numbers. With a little planning and teamwork, your leadership team can afford to go to MOPS Convention! We can’t wait to see you there.