The answer is dependent on what the primary reason you are attending the Conference for is
Let me explain:
Scenario 1: You are primarily attending as a representative of your company and in a very much official capacity.
In this case – it is the responsibility of your company to provide you with the tools to do your job. Think of it like any other expense claim for a work-related trip: They pay your hotel fair, your travel costs, your meal costs etc. This is no different.
Now – you have some options
- Get it in writing that you will procure a laptop for the sole purpose of attending this conference and work will reimburse you for it – may need to get some specs or spending limits agreed.
- Ask your company if there is an old Laptop in stock or from an employee who has recently left – ask to wipe it completely, so that it can be used for this purpose.
- Present a quote to your company for the cost(s) for you to completely back-up your current laptop, wipe it, attend the conference, wipe it again and restore from backup and get them to agree to pay it.
Scenario 2: You are primarily attending as yourself, a professional in the field with only a tangential link to your company.
For example – if I want to go to a conference that I am interested in my field of work – but my company is not particularly interested in me attending, I may still go, Work might approve the time off – but it is me that is going not an employee going.
Here – if this is more like what is happening – then it is your responsibility to get all the tools that you need for it – which I would suggest getting a second-hand laptop from the likes of Trademe (NZ represent!) or the regional equivalent and be done with it.
In short – if you are going in an official work capacity – they should provide it or reimburse you, if you are going in more of a personal capacity, then it is on you