BP25 :: Programme

A serious, structured approach towards terminology might be the hidden gem you can add to your service portfolio in order to substantially increase the value you deliver to your clients. Whether you work with translation agencies or direct clients, as a lone freelancer or as part of a team, you will greatly benefit from the tools, procedures, and tricks that will be shared in this hands-on workshop. From termbase design, setup and maintenance to multiple CAT tool integration and QA enhancements, this workshop will help you become a terminology ace.

Carlos has forged a professional career linked to Information Technology, Languages, and Education. With 20+ years of experience, he has lived and developed his skills in 10 different countries, working as Technology Trainer, Localization Project Manager, Teacher, University Lecturer, and Freelance Translator. His natural inclination towards sharing knowledge and gathering new experiences has driven his career through unbeaten paths, mixing academic and business life in an ever-changing global scenario. He lives in a cozy village near Pisa.

Ildikó Szemők is a certified terminologist with over 21 years’ experience as a freelance reviser, proofreader and editor. She specialises in law, business, economics and finance. The pandemic led her to a new specialisation in health sciences and inspired her PhD on the terminological aspects of medical translation. Ildi enjoys going to the theatre and concerts. As an empty nester, she also has some new hobbies: salsa and bachata dancing, and teaching translation at university level.

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore tried and tested generative AI prompts that can be added to a translator and interpreter’s toolkit. We’ll start with a tour of the main GenAI chatbots available today. Then, we’ll try out our prompts in the various chatbots to assess their output and determine their usefulness for translation and interpreting tasks. The workshop will end with a step-by-step guide with a free tool to quickly store and retrieve prompts for easy access. Attendees should bring their laptop computers.

Nora Díaz is an English-Spanish translator and conference interpreter who enjoys using technology and finding ways to increase productivity, which combined with her love of teaching, has led her to share what she has learned through a blog, articles, webinars and workshops. Nora is the Chair of the American Translators Association Professional Development Committee. She has co-authored a book called The Translator’s Tool Box. Nora was listed as one of the Top 30 Women in the Language Industry by Multilingual Magazine in 2023 and was the recipient of the American Translators Association’s Innovation Award in 2024.

Will AI displace me? How can I future-proof my career? Denying technological developments or competing with machines on price is less likely to be a winning strategy of the future. There is an alternative: reframe the developments as an opportunity. Let technology augment your work, increase your productivity, and offer value your clients appreciate, exactly in the areas where technology currently struggles. This requires a certain mindset and up-to-the-minute skills. By keeping an open, adaptable mind, you are better able to master new tools and workflows, flourish in new business models, and prepare for the next disruption. Now is the time to be ingenious, experiment, and actively shape the future tools of our trade and the future landscape of our industry.

Daniel Šebesta has 20+ years of experience working at the intersection of language, business, and technology. He has an MBA with a specialization in pricing and strategy and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists as well as a sworn translator in Czechia and Germany. In addition to running his business in language services, he has in-house experience from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation, writes about AI for Slator, and consults with toolmakers, language services providers and localization buyers on pricing and language technology. He is the administrator of ATA’s Language Technology Division. https://linktr.ee/danielsebesta

“Times have changed, times are strange”, Ozzy sings.
Should we still be called —and call ourselves— “translators”?
The nature of the tasks we accomplish on an average day and the nature of the requests we receive have drastically evolved over time, particularly with the advent of modern technology-based workflows.
So, does it make sense to undergo classic translation training today?
What about Continuous Professional Development for established translators? Should we stick to our guns? Or should we shift focus and learn the key tech skills that will eventually be in high demand by the industry?
Is it worth pursuing emerging roles, or can we reach a balance with our previous self by developing our training needs wisely?
In this presentation, Carlos will provide some sharp insights on the current and future ecosystem of professional training in the language industry (covering academic studies, real-world CPD training, and industry research), focusing on the skills that are currently in high demand and how to best leverage our background and skill set to get ready for what’s to come, even if you feel you are being left behind in this crazy tech race.

Carlos has forged a professional career linked to Information Technology, Languages, and Education. With 20+ years of experience, he has lived and developed his skills in 10 different countries, working as Technology Trainer, Localization Project Manager, Teacher, University Lecturer, and Freelance Translator. His natural inclination towards sharing knowledge and gathering new experiences has driven his career through unbeaten paths, mixing academic and business life in an ever-changing global scenario. He lives in a cozy village near Pisa.

Is there anything worst than spending hours writing your quotes and then get them rejected – or even ghosted? As interpreters and translators we need to know on which aspects we need to focus to grab our clients’ interest and have them say yes to our offers, as well how to speed up our quotes writing process without wasting time: let’s deep dive together into quotes writing and turning prospects into loyal and long-standing business relationships.
Whether you are taking your first steps as translator and interpreter and do not know where to start for your quotes, or you have already been working in the field for a while and would like to get some new ideas, this session will give you food for thought!

Francesca is an Italian interpreter, translator, transcreator and copywriter working with English, German and French, owner of Punto F since 2014. Her fields of expertise are weddings, marketing, tourism, food and wine, beauty and fashion. She wanted to share her knowledge and experience as a freelancer and business owner, that’s why she founded the Freelance Lab, the first Italian mentoring program for wannabe freelance translators and interpreters. She is active on social media and on Freelance Lab’s blog (in Italian), where she shares bright and bad sides of daily freelance life. She was invited to give speeches during many international conferences for interpreters and translators, as BP Conference, LEO Conference and ATA Conference. She’s a member of AITI, IAPTI, CIOL and ITI.

You may also find her on LinkedIn and Instagram 

As AI redefines professional roles, translators are prompted to evolve beyond traditional tasks. In this presentation, you’ll learn how language professionals can adapt by leveraging their deep cultural insights and linguistic skills in roles such as localization consultants, language advisors, and cultural experts. The speaker will share her experience in this exciting transformation and offer practical strategies to help you stay agile and relevant as a language professional.

Dorota Pawlak is a localization consultant and translator specializing in IT (from English, German, Dutch into Polish). She holds an MA in Translation and an MSc in Multilingual Computing and Localization. Dorota teaches online localization courses and writes articles on topics related to localization, freelancing, and generative AI. You can find out more about Dorota on her website at www.dorotapawlak.eu.

As the translation industry continues to grow, relationships with clients are becoming increasingly important. In this session we will discuss how translators can adapt to change, win trust, and stay relevant in a competitive, technology-driven market. We will discuss some of the most important challenges, such as changing client expectations, increased reliance on technology, and tighter deadlines, and present strategies for dealing with these complexities. Specific areas of discussion will involve proactive communication, consistent quality, and understanding client-specific needs, especially in niche areas like legal, medical, and technical translations. The role of technology, including CAT tools and AI, will also be discussed, placing the emphasis on how these tools can support workflows while retaining the human touch appreciated by clients. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen their client connections, foster long-term collaborations, and thrive in the “new normal”.

Daniel has been a distinguished Mexican linguist and Certified Translator in Federal and State Courts for over a decade. With an impressive 12-year translation career, Daniel’s expertise shines in legal, finance, and business fields. Having graced the stage as a speaker at renowned BP Translation Conference, his insights resonate globally. Join Daniel, a seasoned globe-trotter, at this translation conference, where precision meets passion, and language transcends borders.

Throughout my entire career as a translator, I’ve been told to specialize, over and over again. I’m here to tell you the opposite!

The rise of AI is exciting to some, but feels like a threat to others. In a context where many businesses are turning to machine translation, traditional translators are faced with a harsh dilemma: follow suit and radically change their methodology, or look for alternative career paths?

There is no right or wrong, of course. But my goal is to show that there are many jobs out there that align with our particular skills. Diversifying means more variation in your day-to-day professional activities, more cross-pollination between various lines of work, leading to more creativity and different perspectives, and a healthier financial balance thanks to a wider range of clients, seasonal opportunities and a larger network.

Join me as I discuss my experience in various language-related industries. I’m also very curious to hear about your experiences.

Sam Michielsen is a translator. And an interpreter. And a teacher. And a tour guide. His working languages? Dutch, English, French and German. And Spanish and Italian for some assignments. Jack of all trades, master of none? Perhaps. But as a perfectionist, he’s not willing to compromise when it comes to quality. Whatever the assignment, assessing whether he can uphold this level of quality is key.

He obtained his Master’s degree in Translation and Applied Linguistics in Brussels, in 2006. After a Postgraduate degree in Japanese Language and Culture (Nagoya, Japan), he spent 2 more years in Antwerp getting a Postgraduate degree in Conference Interpreting and a Teaching Certificate. For some 10 years he worked in IT, Sales and HR for various companies around the world. Since 2017, he’s been active as a self-employed translator, teacher, interpreter, copywriter and tour guide. He shares his time between Antwerp, his hometown, and more exotic places, such as Portugal, Italy, the Philippines and New Zealand.

Are you ready to master the art of effectively marketing in-person and online? Join me for a transformative session to arm you with vital tools to promote your services, such as CVs, brochures, cover letters, business cards, and portfolios. By grasping the unique functions of these documents and planning their creation strategically, you’ll discover valuable tips and techniques that you can apply immediately in your journey as a translator or interpreter. This essential knowledge will empower you to highlight your strengths and secure lucrative opportunities with potential clients.

Success in self-marketing demands a strategic mindset and keen attention to detail. It’s not merely about possessing the right materials; it’s about presenting them effectively to showcase your unique value. By mastering how to create and strategically utilise these resources, you can make a memorable impact, attract the right opportunities, and build powerful professional relationships. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, these insights will give you a competitive edge in today’s crowded marketplace and help propel you toward your career goals. Let’s explore the world of marketing materials together and unlock your true potential!

Ileana Cari is a certified professional translator and interpreter, specialising in English, German, and French to Italian. With nearly 20 years of experience and certifications from ANITI, DVÜD, and SFT, she offers a unique approach to helping premium businesses create exclusive content tailored to their target audiences. Her localised and distinctive messages blend translation and transcreation, infused with a marketing touch. This method serves as a bridge between cultures, effectively communicating a brand’s value through inspiring and engaging language, thereby significantly contributing to its success. Ileana specialises in luxury market segments, including beauty, fashion, hospitality, and wellness, making her services particularly appealing to clients in these industries.
As a consecutive interpreter, she primarily assists businesses at international exhibitions in Italy and abroad. Additionally, she interprets for business meetings, events, company visits, training sessions, and weddings, providing her expertise as an interpreter and linguistic consultant both in person and remotely.

Staying within the translation bubble might feel safe, but it can limit your growth and opportunities. Stepping beyond this space can be transformative, helping you gain fresh skills and perspectives that open new professional doors. My talk will explore how venturing beyond translation – into corporate environments or other creative industries – can break you free from niche constraints, broaden your expertise, and add more value to your clients. I’ll share lessons from my own journey, revealing practical strategies for adapting to industry shifts, enhancing your skill set, and reframing your career to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

Rafaela Mota Lemos has always felt like she’s lived a thousand lives, but one constant has tied them all together: her love for language. With a five-year degree in Translation, Rafaela built her foundation as a multilingual storyteller, translating and localizing content across English, Italian, French, and Spanish into Portuguese. Her passion for communication led her beyond translation, into the worlds of creative copywriting, content strategy, and social media management, where she honed her ability to connect ideas, people, and brands.

Rafaela’s career spans freelancing, corporate roles, and creative ventures. From managing translation projects to crafting social media strategies for major brands, she’s learned to navigate the intricate balance between creativity and business. She’s lived and worked in diverse settings, from Milan to Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, each chapter enriching her perspectives and fueling her curiosity.

Now, as she returns to freelancing after eight years in corporate life, Rafaela is blending all she’s learned into a unique approach that empowers her clients and redefines her own career. A firm believer that language is more than just words, Rafaela sees it as a tool to build bridges, tell stories, and open doors to new possibilities.

Word is a well known tool. Or at least this is what many people expect. However, the documents created in Word are rarely well formatted. There are several formatting errors most users do not notice. Even many technical redactors could do better.
Using styles and proper formatting in Word makes life easier. With a properly formatted document the effort of adapting the formatting of the translated document may be reduced or sometimes even completely avoided.
I will use a PDF document converted to plain text to show how to get a nicely formatted document, which will be better than any conversion in the world would do.

Born in Cracow and living since over 38 years in Germany Jerzy is a full-time translator and interpreter for German and Polish. Due to his education as mechanical engineer his main fields include railways, automotive and machinery. For a long time Jerzy was also Trados Studio trainer. He is also LILCS auditor for the ISO standards 17100, 18587 and 20771.
When time allows, scale models are build.

Are you struggling to attract and convert high-quality clients for your online language service business? In today’s competitive landscape, standing out and consistently attracting ideal clients can be overwhelming. This session will equip you with the tools to create irresistible lead magnets and build effective marketing funnels that do the work for you. You’ll learn how to design lead magnets that speak to your audience’s pain points, capturing attention and prompting action.

We’ll also cover how to nurture leads with automated email sequences and personalized follow-ups that guide prospects smoothly through their customer journey. You’ll learn techniques to optimize your marketing funnel for higher conversion rates, ensuring a seamless experience from the first interaction to the final sale.

By the end of this session, you’ll have an actionable plan to attract more qualified leads, convert them into loyal clients, and scale your business confidently. Stop relying on chance—discover how to build a predictable, sustainable system that helps you sell more effectively and grow your online language service business in 2025 and beyond.

We’ll explore the strategy behind nurturing leads through automated email sequences and personalized follow-ups that keep prospects engaged and smoothly guide them through their customer journey. Additionally, you’ll uncover techniques to optimize your marketing funnel for higher conversion rates—ensuring a seamless experience from the first interaction to the final sale.

Jason Willis-Lee, MITI, is an ITI-Certified Medical Translator with 25 years of experience specializing in Spanish-English and French-English translations for clinical trials, medical reports, and academic research. With a medical background, including three years at Bristol Medical School and hospital training, Jason offers a deep understanding of medical terminology and life sciences standards.

Beyond translation, Jason is passionate about helping freelance translators navigate the AI-driven market. He provides strategic guidance on client acquisition, personal branding, quiz marketing, and email list-building to help translators boost visibility and build lasting client relationships.

Jason is also a dedicated trainer, offering courses such as How to Find More Direct Clients and hosting the Freelancer Training on How to Find More Direct Clients Podcast. He co-founded Medico-Legal Translations and is based in Madrid.

Freelancers must take charge of their retirement planning, as traditional savings can be slow-growing and vulnerable to inflation. In this presentation, we’ll share how we approach investing—our personal journey, the strategies we use, and the steps we’ve taken to build a diversified portfolio. Join us to learn how we’re securing our financial future while navigating the unique challenges of freelance translators.

Silvie is an English to Dutch translator from Utrecht with a Master’s degree in Translation Studies from Utrecht University. She has been translating since 2011 and specializes in marketing, tourism and e-commerce. Her first BP was BP15 in Zagreb.

Hailing from cold and rainy Netherlands, Silvie enjoys a workation once in a while, and lots of vacations without her laptop. Her passion for travel is reflected in her business name The Traveling Translator. She is an avid reader of thrillers, historical novels and any self-help book she can get her hands on, loves Zumba and is a sucker for Italian food.

When she hit the big 3-0, Silvie thought it was time to start thinking about her financial future. She learned about investing and is now on track to reach a fabulous financial future as a freelancer.

Marianne is an English to Dutch translator with a Bachelor degree in Translation. She lives in Warnsveld, next to the Hanseatic city of Zutphen, hence her business name Hanse Translations. She has been translating since 2021, after a long career in customer service. Her first BP was in Utrecht in 2022.

As a foodie and wife of a former chef, Marianne’s passion for food reflects her work. She translates marketing texts, culinary recipes and cook books. Because she loves food, she also needs to work out, so running and bodypump are a much needed part of her life.

About four years ago, Marianne started to look into the world of investing. When she became a fabulous freelancer, the need to secure her own financial future grew. After reading a lot about the subject, she has made a plan, and so far, it’s going well. By sharing her and Silvie’s journey, Marianne hopes to help other fabulous freelancers in creating their own future financial freedom.

A strong personal brand can help you stand out amidst a sea of online marketing content and buzzing networking events. It can help you connect with your audience and allow them to find you when they most need you. In this talk I’ll share examples of translation professionals with a strong brand and actionable tips on how to identify and maintain a brand that is unique, authentic and truly unforgettable.

Martina Abagnale is an Italian translator based in the Netherlands.
She set up her company, Picobello Translations, in 2019 and has since also worked as a trainer, industry speaker and event organizer, sharing her passion and knowledge about finance.
In 2025 she co-launched Lemon Twist, a business-management software for freelance translators.

Your finances can make or break your freelance career. In this presentation, you’ll discover five common financial mistakes freelancers make and how to avoid them. I’ll share practical strategies to improve your cash flow and effectively manage your freelance finances, ensuring you can pay yourself, your editor, and your taxes—without breaking a sweat.

I’ll also show you step-by-step the software and framework I use to manage the cashflow in my business. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to run the financial side of your business like a pro.

Kristal Fellinger is a CIOL-certified German-to-English translator and copywriter and has been working as a freelancer since 2017. She started off in video game localization but quickly found her niche in transcreation and copywriting. With a comprehensive suite of copywriting, translation, and email strategy services, she helps German-speaking companies reach their English-speaking customers with authentic, effective marketing.

She has studied freelance business management and money mindset with some of the best, and believes financial management is a language every freelancer should speak fluently.

It has often been said that if you go out for a meal with a translator, you will waste the first thirty minutes while your dinner guest scours the menu for typos…
So how do you deal with other people’s translation mistakes – and still come out smiling?
This presentation, based on many years of suffering other people’s attempts, looks at the pitfalls of being a translator in a world that no longer seems to care. In an age where ‘self-styled amateur translators’ or overrated MT programs claim they can do anything, is this something we will have to get used to?
Does the rest of the world see linguistic perfection as sacred, or is communication more important than pedantry? We don’t need to lower our standards, but maybe we need to raise our awareness and ask ourselves, ‘How much does it matter to most people?’ or ‘If it’s good enough for them, why should I worry?’ A risky topic, especially when presenting to professional linguists…

Nigel Saych is a creative translator and outsourcer. In previous lives he has also been an International School teacher and a tour guide. With more than twenty presentations at conferences throughout Europe and beyond, he has a reputation for being a bit of a maverick, but still a professional linguist. With three failed attempts to retire, he is looking forward to being back at a BP event. 

Ever wondered how much you should charge for a particular service? Hands up those who have ever asked a colleague or done some online research before setting their rates! But, how about if we tried a different approach?

Join us in this session on establishing sustainable rates that cover your own particular needs while reflecting your skills and also align with market expectations. We will explore practical tools and techniques to understand the value of your time, the different rate levels you need to establish, and how these translate into pricing models for the various services a translator or interpreter may offer.

We will also explore how to remain competitive in your market or niche and through effective market analysis techniques. Equally, we will cover persuasive negotiation tactics that allow you to sell your service while communicating your value effectively.

Whether you are a seasoned freelance or just starting out in the translation industry, this session will equip you with the tools you need to pricing sustainably and achieve better financial outcomes in your business model.

Diana Gordaliza is a certified EN><ES translator and interpreter specializing in legal work. She works with law firms and B2B clients, offering top-notch legal translation, SEO, and copywriting services. Her passion for marketing and her belief that there is a better more sustainable way to freelancing led her to create DUAL, an online Marketing for Translators Program in 2023, alongside her amazing colleagues Maite and Marian.
After a decade in the UK —where she gained invaluable experience and stories to share, Diana is now back in her home city of Madrid. She shares her lively household with her husband, three energetic young kids, and a dog whose energy knows no bounds.
When she’s not juggling work and family life, Diana loves to train or escaping to nature for a run. On quieter days (or moments!), you might spot her enjoying a perfectly brewed coffee in one of Madrid’s speciality coffee shops.
With a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping others succeed, Diana is here to share practical insights and connect with like-minded professionals.

Connect with me on dianagordaliza.com | programaempresarial.com

Words are powerful. They inspire, motivate, and unite; however, when used inaccurately, they can harm, divide, and exclude. That’s why writing inclusively, free from bias, is paramount. Gender, race, and culture are significant parts of the conversation but are not the only ones. Ableism, ageism, and classism can also creep into our writing without noticing. In this talk, we’ll explore how to recognise and avoid biased language to make the copy and content we write, translate, or transcreate more engaging and relatable to a broader audience.

Elina I. Nocera is a bilingual Italian-English marketing translator with 17 years of experience, including 13 as a freelancer, who has recently branched out into copywriting.
Elina helps brands and creative service-based businesses connect with their international audience through compelling copy and a natural tone of voice.
She is a member of IAPTI, MET, and the Italian Copywriters’ Association (Associazione Italiana Copy).
Elina is based in Umbria, Central Italy. When she’s not glued to a computer screen, she’s probably travelling, participating in a local theatre lab, or watching tennis or the latest season of her favourite TV shows.

As agency rates crumble, more translators think high-profile — often “direct” — clients are the solution. Or at least a solution. So off they go — and good for them! Only to discover a different universe, with different gatekeepers and skill sets in play.

This presentation draws on the speaker’s experience of how often genuinely skilled, well-meaning translators with limited experience of such clients struggle to enter the arena. And how die-hard behaviors absorbed while staking out territory in the dog-eat-dog world of commoditizers can lead to missteps, flailing, and being passed over altogether. We’ll look at a few hands-on strategies to help you find your voice and connect. Navel-gazing, raising bars and rates will be mentioned.

Chris is empathetic, experienced and successful at translating for serious clients who take her seriously (and pay her bills). Also no-nonsense at times. She believes that without massive restructuring of T&I markets, skilled translators will have to ditch most agency work in the years ahead, and has something to say about how that might work. She’s based in Paris, France, where she works (Fr>En) for demanding clients who set a very high bar.

A full day trip to the Dunajec river, on the border of Poland and Slovakia.  The highlight will be an hour and a half on the river, either in inflatable boats (groups of 4 or 6) or wooden rafts, where you’ll be sitting on a bench.

Either way, you’ll be going through some mild rapids, and admire the natural beauty of the area.

A rented bus leaves at 8:00 from the conference hotel, and arrives around 10 at the river.  After getting your life jackets, you’ll hit the water around 10:30 or 11.  

After the journey, you can have some snacks on the Slovak side.  You can return to the starting point by bicycle or by bus (the same rented bus).  The bike ride takes about an hour (10 kms, easy path along the river) on the right (Slovak) bank of the river.

We’ll have lunch somewhere along the way, and have a look at the medieval Niedzica castle.  Arrival back in Kraków around 18:00.

You can buy a ticket for the day trip under Registration below.