Is there value in heading overseas to attend a translation conference?

Translation conferences take place throughout the year in key locations around the globe. A quick glance that the Tomedes Conferences page shows that in April 2016 alone there are ten events that would be of valuable use to freelance translators, taking place in locations as varied as Spain, Hungary, Japan, the Czech Republic and the USA. 

Local translation conferences

If you live in or near a big city like New York or Madrid then chances are the translation conferences will come to you. This is ideal if you are looking to network and hone your skills in your local area. 

Attending a local translation conference can be a great way to expand your client base. You’ll get to meet local businesses and fellow translators and thus build up your network. This is particularly important for freelancers, as conferences represent a rare opportunity to meet face to face with your peers and a whole host of potential clients. 

International translation conferences

Translators who don’t have the benefit of attending translation conferences in their local area may consider travelling in order to do so, including travelling overseas. Even those who enjoy easy access to local conference may still which to attend those in other countries as well, to keep their knowledge up to date and stay at the forefront of the sector’s development. 

Obviously attending a conference overseas has a cost implication, so freelance translators need to weigh up the cost of attending versus the value that they will get from doing so. 

Benefits of attending overseas translation conferences 

Networking is a key benefit of attending a translation conference overseas, just as it is for local conferences. Making new contacts and sharing your business card with global companies is an excellent way to boost your business and your income potential. 

Learning about translation from a global perspective is also a great benefit. International conferences provide you with the opportunity to find out about the key issues facing the translation community around the globe, including developments that have the potential to impact on translators everywhere. 

Language immersion is another wonderful advantage of attending a translation conference overseas. Use the event as a part of your ongoing language development and brush up on your linguistic skills while you are there. 

Then there’s the added attraction of the travel itself. Why not add a few days of leisure time to your trip and enjoy discovering a new country as a tourist, as well as attending the conference? 

Final thoughts

Have you ever travelled overseas to attend a translation conference? Is this something you do regularly? Let us know via the comments.