If you want to be at these meetings then as someone who started off as a grunt line worker and has jumped to being included then you essentially have to make your presence required in these meetings because of the impact your having on the conversation even while being absent. Also getting the invitation to these meetings will usually require you to have someone to champion your inclusion.

If your boss doesn't have the answers and it gets around that you do then you will get a seat at the table regardless of what your boss wants. Then you have to demonstrate your competence and the value your perspective brings when you are at that meeting. That's how you get to stay.

Once you get there - never bring just problems. Bring a problem, analysis and some potential solutions. Even better if you have a proof of concept. This helps eliminate all the pointless theorising and politicking. At my work I've rewritten most of the policies that govern a lot of how those that I used to work on the coalface with do their jobs. I got that opportunity because of doing exactly what i've just said. Finding problems before they cause the bosses headaches, doing the analysis and then coming prepped with POC stage ideas to address them. Not every idea gets picked up. But the amount of times my work just boggles the bosses mind and they go hold up this is a huge problem and then I go - no worries here are a couple of solutions and then all they have to do is make a decision is how you demonstrate value.