Have you heard of GALA? Well, our very own Katharine Allen and Barry Olsen-Slaughter (founders of InterpretAmerica, which was established in 2009 to provide a national and international forum for the interpreting profession), help bring interpreting content to the GALA conference.
InterpretAmerica’s mission is to help raise the profile of interpreting. They provide an open and ongoing forum where key players from all branches of interpreting can gather and foster a greater connection among its many sectors. Barry and Katharine do their very best to bring the interpreting side of the T&I market into the GALA conference (and organization) to help GALA learn from us interpreters.
The GALA conference will be held in San Diego, California, and the organizers have reached out to the ATA ID with a request for proposals from our members. This is a first!
GALA is the international version of ALC (The Association of Language Companies), an association of language company members. It has a great and relevant conference, but it is not a conference targeting individual interpreters and translators per se (especially in terms of cost – it’s expensive).
That notwithstanding, speaking at the GALA conference would allow you to reach a very different audience in our profession, as its perspective is the global market. Interpreting is one of the most dynamic and greatest growth sides of the translation and interpreting industry – and yes, like it or not, at this level we are an industry.
If any of you are in the position to submit a proposal, it would definitely help you reach the “players” in the T&I field. I see it as an opportunity to educate language companies who are starting to offer interpreting services (or those already doing so) about how we do what we do and how to provide services the right way: the way that fosters respect for our trade and supports the LEPs we service, the businesses that rely on our expertise, and the tech companies wishing to jump into the VRI scene.
GALA has the power to shape the future of our industry, and that will impact all of us. GALA 2020 is looking for bold leaders who will help them define their needs, expand their thinking and determine the future, through a series of innovative sessions. I know there are many of you out there who fit this bill.
If you are interested, you must act fast. GALA invites any and all proposals that address the Future of Interpreting, to be submitted by September 20, 2019.
GALA 2020 will be held in San Diego, March 15-18, 2020. You can find more details here.
Go for it!
Lorena
ATA ID Assistant Administrator
Image used with permission
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