<human>: Condense the text into a few key points

I'm in grad school and was recently picked to go to a national competition in another city, all expenses paid by the school. It's a good learning opportunity for me.

I told my boyfriend about it, and noted that it will fall on the weekend of his birthday (his birthday is on a thursday this year and the competition is on Saturday/Sunday). He asked if he could come along. I said I'd prefer we go on a trip a different weekend, since I'll be competing all day both Saturday and Sunday and won't get much time to hang out.

This triggered a day (and counting) of the cold shoulder treatment. If I enter a room, he'll move to a different one. I apologized and he asked what the upside of the competition is for me. I said it's an opportunity to learn, and it might be fun. He did not respond. 

He's being a dick, but he's also clearly deeply hurt by this and I want to make it right. Suggestions / advice?
<bot>: boyfriend is hurt that I'll be competing out of town on his birthday weekend and don't want him to travel with me.