Use outcomes, not enthusiasm
My statement had three headings: why this programme, what I will do there, and what I will bring back. I named two sessions, one poster I planned to discuss, and a small reading group I would run afterwards.
Make the budget auditable
Separate registration, visa, travel, accommodation, and local transport. State what is already covered and what you are requesting. Never hide partial funding; reviewers need the full picture.
On day one
Arrive with a short introduction, a question for each session, and a notebook for names and follow-ups. Conferences reward preparation more than confidence.