Upvote:1
Are the authorities issuing visas going to have a problem with the fact that I'm arriving before the date on the invitation?
Virtually every embassy knows when one is going for an official event, the participant/applicant needs to arrive before start date. It is perfectly fine to request a visa start date earlier than your work start date. As to question 2, it depends on the airline and the check in agent. Some may allow you to board and some may not.
Are the people at the airport going to have a problem with the fact that I'm departing at a time when my visa is not yet valid?
Ultimately this is opinion based and there are many variants of such questions here including Arriving in Zurich the night before Schengen visa validity begins. It depends on the airline policy, the check in agent, etc. There is no definitive answer, you will find out if/when you get there.