This is the tenth –and last– post in a series of weekly blog posts with tips to get the most out of translation industry events (click here to see a full list of previous posts). As explained in the first part, tips are grouped into “before the event”, “during the event” and “after the event” for easy reference. Please feel free to post below and share your tip(s)!
After the event
Tip 10: organize your own event
As mentioned in the first part of this series, translation industry events are probably one of the most important parts in the marketing strategy of many language professionals. By attending conferences, workshops, seminars and other industry events, translators and interpreters not only get the chance to learn about new industry trends, but also to network with colleagues while promoting themselves. The same principle applies to organizing translation industry events, where organizers can not only learn and network with colleagues, but also do something different that enhances their translation business and professional profile.
So, what are the benefits of organizing a translation industry event? Why would anyone want to devote time and effort in setting up a conference, a seminar, a workshop? Initially, language professionals who have organized at least one translator event have reported the following benefits:
- Interaction with people from all around the globe.
- Networking not only within the local community, but also within the international translation community.
- Acquisition of new interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Relationship with companies, associations and other major players in the industry.
- Gained exposure.
Organizing an event is not for everyone though -it requires a great deal of time, responsibility and dedication. Willingness to interact with other language professionals and form relationships with them is a must, but organizers should also meet other criteria if they want to organize an event that has the purpose of providing language professionals with the opportunity to network, learn, expand their businesses and have fun. These criteria include:
- Experience with industry events (as attendee, co-organizer or organizer).
- Active participation in the translation community.
- Reactive, responsive and collaborative attitude.
- Task orientation.
- Business understanding (keeping in mind that the organization of an event is a business investment for all involved, including for event attendees).
- Creativity.
If you believe that you have all of the above and you would like to learn new skills, network with colleagues and market yourself, you may consider organizing an event for translators in your country. There are several ways to do it either individually or with the support of colleagues, private companies or associations.
Becoming a ProZ.com event organizer
Rather than seeking to organize events on its own in locations around the world, or on a variety of topics, ProZ.com normally seeks to provide others with the tools, support and promotion that they need to organize events.
Applied in varying degrees for various events and event formats, this “enabling” approach make it possible to offer low-cost events that have a local focus, or that delve deeply into a given topic. It also makes it possible for ProZ.com events to be held in many languages.
ProZ.com conferences, powwows, workshops and virtual events.
Utilizing both online and offline approaches, a variety of specific event formats have evolved at ProZ.com:
Powwows – informal meetings, usually carried out in-person, often over a meal.
Virtual events – events with planned agendas, carried out primarily online using video, chat, etc. (sometimes with a corresponding real-world component).
In-person events – events with planned agendas, carried out primarily in-person (and ideally streamed and recorded).
Events have been held with various other formats, and more formats (for example, hybrid formats that combine virtual and in-person elements) can be imagined and explored.
If you would like to give it a try at organizing an event with the support of ProZ.com, go ahead!
In the end, the translation industry is like other industries, in that it is important for professionals to have opportunities to learn, network and socialize among peers. Then why not get the most out of an industry event by organizing it yourself?
Have you ever organized an industry event or considered organizing one?
Please share.
Apenas pasadas las ocho de la mañana del sábado 8 de noviembre de 2014, los asistentes al 
Translator T.O. 