From the President-Elect
Veronika Demichelis
veronika@veronikademichelis.com
There is still time to register for ATA’s 64th Annual Conference! I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new colleagues in Miami on October 25-28, 2023. Our room block at the Hyatt Regency Miami has sold out, so we’ve added a list of nearby hotels and a link to additional hotels in the area. Please contact these hotels directly for room rates and to book a room.
If you’re wondering whether ATA64 is worth the investment, here are 11 reasons you should attend!
1. Learn and Grow:
Choose among 190 sessions in 30 language- and subject-specific tracks and gain new insights from subject matter experts in all areas of translation, interpreting, and localization. We have several new tracks this year, so you’ll find plenty of interesting sessions no matter which field you specialize in or what skills you would like to improve. With new formats like 30- and 60-minute sessions as well as 15-minute ATA MicroTalks, you can build your own schedule and attend as many sessions as you’d like. Gain inspiration from our Distinguished Speakers, participate in interactive Advanced Skills and Training Day courses, and earn continuing education credits approved by ATA and various interpreter credentialing organizations.
2. Get Comfortable with New Technology:
Do you feel lost in a sea of new tools or uncertain about the future of your career in the age of new technology and artificial intelligence? With a dedicated language technology track and many fantastic sessions on tools and technology, we’ve got you covered this year. Discover tips and tricks from technology experts and experienced professionals on how to leverage technology in translation, interpreting, and localization to future-proof your career.
3. Connect with Colleagues:
Don’t go it alone—come face to face with colleagues who share you professional interests. Meet old friends and make new ones at the Welcome Celebration, the Divisions and Special Interest Groups Mix and Mingle, and several off-site events. Discuss important issues related to your specializations and services in our Professional Forums and enjoy conversations during coffee breaks and over lunch. You’ll feel re-energized and inspired!
4. Network with Ease:
There will be many opportunities to network with colleagues and potential clients during ATA64! Our fun and interactive networking sessions will leave you wanting more. From Buddies Welcome Newbies to Stronger Together Networking, Brainstorm Networking, and themed breakfast tables—you can make important connections and find opportunities to collaborate.
5. Discover New Resources and Tools:
Find tools and resources that will help you improve your skills or do your job more efficiently. Discover new products, services, and opportunities when you visit the Exhibit Hall, or attend the T&I Book and Resource Fair to meet colleagues who double as authors or book translators, host podcasts or blogs, or offer training and other resources.
6. Meet and Celebrate Multitalented Colleagues—and Showcase Your Own Talents:
Attend the Awards Ceremony to celebrate colleagues who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements or service to the translation and interpreting professions. Enjoy the After-Hours Café, where you can read an excerpt of your original or translated work and listen to other talented colleagues.
7. Expand Your Client Base:
If you’re looking for agency clients, don’t miss the Job Fair where company representatives will be eager to meet you! Attend as many conference networking sessions as you can to make meaningful connections, discover collaboration opportunities, and gain potential referrals.
8. Connect with Potential Clients, Discover Talent, and Advertise Your Products and Services:
If you’re a language services company looking for new talent, a vendor trying to spread the word about your tools and products, or an organization offering training and other resources to translators, interpreters, and T&I educators, ATA64 is the place to be! There are many opportunities to showcase your company or organization and meet your target audience. Become a sponsor or exhibitor, participate in the Job Fair, and attend daily networking events to connect with ATA64 attendees.
9. Learn More about ATA and Get Involved:
ATA needs your talents! Learn what our Association is doing for members and discover how you can become involved. Attend committee forums to learn about various activities, initiatives, and resources developed by ATA committees, meet committee members, and potentially offer your help as a volunteer. Meet ATA Board members at the Welcome Celebration and Breakfast with the Board. Meet the candidates for this year’s open Board positions and vote in ATA’s Elections during the Annual Meeting of Voting Members. Attend the Annual Meeting of All Members to hear updates about ATA activities and share feedback with the Board. If you’re a division officer, committee chair, or leader of an ATA chapter or affiliate, attend the ATA Leadership Summit to clarify tasks, discuss common issues, share experiences, offer guidance, and brainstorm ideas. Attend the ATA Board meeting to learn how ATA governance works and get a front row seat to what’s happening in the Association.
10. Take Your Business to the Next Level:
After last year’s Annual Conference, I read a testimonial from one of the conference attendees who referred to ATA’s Annual Conferences as “a pit stop, a place where I can refuel, dust off, take a minute to strategize and re-evaluate, and make some tweaks here and there, just so I can go at it again, better and faster.” I completely agree with this description! By attending ATA64, you’ll take some much-needed time to work on your business, not in your business, get a birds-eye view of your professional environment, acquire new skills, and feel inspired to make some changes in your business while future-proofing your career.
11. Enjoy the sun and have fun!
If you read Itzaris Weyman’s article “Welcome to the Magic City” in the May-June issue, you know how much there is to do and see in Miami! Explore the Miami beaches, parks, arts and entertainment, and discover the culinary diversity of Miami’s restaurants. Make sure to check out the Miami Travel Guide on the ATA64 website. Thanks to the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida (ATIF), our ATA64 hospitality group, you’ll also find friendly faces in the registration area, where ATIF volunteers will be happy to answer your questions and offer you advice and directions.
Never Attended an ATA Annual Conference?
Listen to this webinar on how to prepare for ATA64, which includes a question-and-answer session and virtual networking. (The webinar is free to ATA members!) Don’t forget to claim your first-time attendee discount when you register for the conference and sign up for the Buddies Welcome Newbies session to be partnered with a seasoned attendee who will help you get the most out of your conference experience. Connect with members of ATA divisions and ask for tips for your first ATA Annual Conference, watch the ATA63 recap video, and check out the ATA64 teaser for a glimpse of what to expect. Finally, listen to Episode 91 of The ATA Podcast for an overview of all things ATA64-related.
ATA64: The Importance of Gathering in Miami
As a professional association that brings together thousands of language experts of diverse backgrounds, many of whom work directly with historically underserved and marginalized communities, ATA is committed to promoting and facilitating diversity, equity, inclusion, and communication.
Every year, more than 1,000 translators and interpreters from all over the world gather at ATA’s Annual Conference for networking, continuing education, professional growth, and fun.
ATA would like to acknowledge that Florida may not seem like a welcoming place right now for many members of our community. We also recognize that hundreds of thousands of Floridians have been affected by recent controversial legislative actions—and they do not have the privilege of choosing not to visit. We believe that it is more important than ever to gather in Miami and to show our support for those impacted. By showing up, sharing our values, and being a vocal presence advocating for openness, kindness, and togetherness, ATA members can send a powerful message that we stand for justice and equity.
The very nature of our professions as translators and interpreters is to break through communication barriers that disadvantage or marginalize people of diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is affirmed through ATA’s resolution supporting diversity and a statement on racism and inequality. This commitment is further reflected in this year’s Annual Conference program, which features many sessions covering language access, inclusive language, language justice, languages of limited diffusion, and more. Diversity is in our DNA, and it’s in Miami’s DNA, too.
Our conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency Miami, is a unionized hotel that is likewise committed to DEI&A and is dedicated to ensuring all guests feel welcome and safe.
ATA has partnered with SocialOffset to offer ATA64 attendees the opportunity to contribute to local organizations in Miami that make a difference in people’s lives. We invite you to use this campaign to offset any tax spending in Miami by supporting local charities that align with your values. Visit our Social Offset page to make your donation.
Join us at ATA64 to support the diversity of Miami and the state of Florida, share the diversity and values of ATA, and experience Miami’s multicultural history, warmth, and hospitality.