From the President-Elect
Corinne McKay
corinne@translatewrite.com
Twitter handle:听
Whether you鈥檙e attending ATA鈥檚 Annual Conference for the first or the 40th time, you鈥檒l want to make the most of the experience. Attending the conference is a significant investment in terms of time and money, but attendees also tell us that the conference is the highlight of their year and that it inspires them to pursue their professional goals with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
It鈥檚 always instructive to read our attendees鈥 feedback after each conference. At ATA56 in Miami, 96% of our attendees told us they made new business contacts and 93% said they learned new professional skills. At ATA57, we expect over 1,800 attendees from 60 countries. If you haven鈥檛 yet registered for ATA57, it鈥檚 not too late to join us. Visit today to learn more.
Once you鈥檝e decided to attend the conference, it鈥檚 time to think about how to maximize your time in San Francisco. I attended my first ATA Annual Conference in Toronto in 2004 (and haven鈥檛 missed one since!), and every year I try to add to my list of insider tips. Here are a few:
- If you鈥檙e attending for the first time, make sure to visit the 鈥淩esources for First-Time Attendees鈥 page at
. There, you鈥檒l find a free webinar presented by veteran translator and conference-goer Jill Sommer, a link to our Newbies and Buddies program, and information on how to sign up for our ATA57 Newbies listserve. All of these resources will help you learn what to expect as a first-timer! - Start planning your schedule now. With the session and event schedule set (view it at ), it鈥檚 not too early to choose your educational and networking opportunities, and then slot in some social time as well! New this year are our Advanced Skills and Training Day (Wednesday) and our Job Fair (Thursday), and you definitely don鈥檛 want to miss Wednesday鈥檚 Welcome Celebration, or the always-exciting Brainstorm Networking event on Friday.
- Step outside your comfort zone. If you鈥檙e an experienced translator attending your 10th, 20th, or 30th conference, it鈥檚 easy to spend all your time with people you know, attending sessions by presenters you know. While connecting with longtime friends is definitely a highlight of the conference, it鈥檚 also important to expand your range of professional knowledge (attend a session that focuses on an area of the profession that you鈥檇 like to explore) and help the next generation of translators and interpreters integrate into ATA (volunteer to be a Buddy, or attend Friday鈥檚 Brainstorm Networking event).
- Take an active role in your association. ATA is over 10,000 members strong, and each one of you has a unique perspective to contribute. At the conference, we offer a variety of opportunities for you to give ATA鈥檚 leadership your feedback and ideas for the future. To keep ATA thriving, we need to know what programs and services you enjoy the most, and what we can do to better meet your needs in the future. You can have breakfast with the Board, offer a comment at the Annual Meeting, and attend a Board meeting. Learn more about these and other opportunities to have your voice heard at
. - Remember that the conference experience continues after you return home. If you鈥檙e intent on making the most of your investment in the conference, you鈥檒l leave with a large stack of business cards from the contacts you made in San Francisco. During the conference, make sure to write down why you have those cards and the names of the people with whom you need to follow up. Once you鈥檙e back in your office, make sure to actually write those follow-up e-mails. It鈥檚 also a nice touch to write a thank-you e-mail to any speakers whose presentations you particularly enjoyed.
Happy planning, and I look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!