From the President-Elect
Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo
madalena@accessibletranslations.com
Twitter: @mszampaulo
Planning is well underway for this year’s Annual Conference, set to take place October 27-30 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Last year we took on a new conference model, a fully virtual event, and this year we’ll be doing the same as we shoot for a hybrid conference (in person and virtual).
I’ve heard from many colleagues who enjoyed ATA61 that they can’t wait to get together again in person. Well, if all goes according to plan with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and there are no major hiccups along the way, we’ll celebrate another exciting conference and the joy of meeting again in person! Yes, things will look different. You can expect social distancing for all events and sessions, masks required throughout the conference venue, special precautionary measures for serving and consuming meals, etc. But rest assured that we’re on top of the planning and will do our best to make attendees feel both welcome and safe.
The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is ready to receive us and the hotel staff has been lovely to work with as we plan this new-to-us conference. They are equipped to sanitize rooms and common areas frequently so that attendees feel comfortable during their stay. The hotel also offers several dining options, as well as 24-hour access to the Stayfit Athletic Club.
Whether you attend ATA62 in person or virtually this year, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! The deadline for session proposals was March 1, and I’m excited to see what educational offerings are in store for this year’s attendees. We’ll hold the division annual meetings online, outside the conference dates, which opens up more slots for educational sessions. We plan to stream and record a wide variety of live sessions for our virtual attendees and look forward to offering networking opportunities that everyone can take part in. While we do expect fewer people to attend the in-person portion of the conference, we’ll take advantage of the cozy atmosphere (with proper precautions in place!) and all that Minneapolis has to offer.
In January I attended the virtual site visit of the host hotel for ATA62, and the location and setting will be wonderful, just as it always is when we come together. The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is a block from the convention center, 12 miles from Minneapolis International Airport, and within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and more. It’s located on the Loring Greenway, an urban pedestrian walkway with art, playgrounds, and more, connecting the downtown area. And the Minneapolis Skyway System connects buildings across 9.5 miles (or 80 city blocks), including the host hotel, so you can get around easily and comfortably in colder weather.
Our host chapter, the Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association (UMTIA) is excited to have us! If you’ve ever visited this area of the Upper Midwest, then you know that the “Minnesota Nice” is one of the best things about visiting the Twin Cities. Don’t believe me? Just check out the welcome video that UMTIA shared with us last year during the ATA61 Closing Session! (See links below.)
As conference organizer, I look forward to this year’s conference planning as a familiar challenge with some new components tossed in for fun. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. Whether in person or virtually, I look forward to seeing you this year for ATA62!
Check Out the Host City (and Our ATA62 Host Chapter)!
Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center
http://bit.ly/visit-Minneapolis
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
http://bit.ly/Hyatt-Minneapolis
Loring Greenway
https://loringgreenway.org/welcome
Minneapolis Skyway System
http://bit.ly/Minn-Skyway
Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association (Host Chapter for ATA62)
https://umtia.org/
Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association Video: “ATA62 in Minneapolis in 2021”
https://umtia.org/ATA-Conference-2021