Many translators spend most of their time working alone, and even those of us who are lucky enough to work as part of a team can sometimes feel disconnected from the wider translation industry. While online groups, forums and virtual networking can help us keep in touch with our peers, there are many benefits to meeting in person, both personally and professionally.
Here, Emma and the rest of the Priory Translations team have taken a look back over the different types of in-person events they have attended over the last few years and considered how they can be of advantage to translation professionals.
Conferences and trade shows
Large events can sometimes seem very daunting, especially if you are new to in-person events, but if you are in a position to commit the time and resources to attend, they can be a great way to get an overview of what is going on in your industry (or one you work with). To get the most out of the experience, consider what you’d like to achieve while you’re there and plan your visit to help you accomplish this. You can also prepare by researching presenters and exhibitors before the event so you know which talks and stands are likely to be of interest to you.
Co-working days
Co-working days are normally a free or low-cost way to connect with people in real life. Lots of different groups organise co-working events, including language association networks, local councils, regional networking organisations, university business schools and small business groups. They offer a flexible way to spend time with local professionals and can be particularly useful if you are looking to develop your business skills or find out about what support is available in your local area.
Presentations and workshops
Organised professional development opportunities can help you develop your skills, keep your knowledge up to date and meet others with similar professional interests to you. If you're a member of a language association such as the ITI or the CIOL, you can check if regional, subject or language networks run in-person events, and it is also worth investigating events run by professional associations for the industries you work with. Local councils, government-funded business support programmes and business associations also run events for small business owners looking to develop their business skills or understand new technologies.
Networking events
If your goal is to connect with potential clients or suppliers in your local area, networking events can be a good way to do this. There are many different formats, such as drop-in events, speed networking, structured pitches and networking breakfasts, so it can be worth trying out a few to see which ones suit you best. Some networks are open, where anyone can attend and pay for each event separately, while others involve paying a membership fee and can only contain one representative of a particular industry at once. For these closed networks, it is often possible to attend at least one meeting as a guest before deciding whether to join. There are also networks aimed at particular industries or groups of people, such as working parents or female entrepreneurs, so there will almost certainly be a group out there to suit you.
Informal gatherings
In addition to more formal networking, training and co-working opportunities, many organisations will also host less formal events, such as retreats, parties, walking days, lunches, wellbeing sessions and outreach events. These can be a great way to make professional connections in a less formal environment as there is often less pressure to promote your business in a direct way, and to improve your wellbeing by spending a bit of time away from your desk.
So, whether you’re a seasoned in-person networker or a first-timer looking to step outside of your comfort zone, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you to consider.