Frequently Asked Questions

What is the North American Summit on Interpreting?

The North American Summit on Interpreting is an annual gathering designed to bring together leaders, experts and key stakeholders from the many sectors of the interpreting profession. Its unique plenary format provides ample opportunities to network with peers from professional associations, academe, government and the private sector. A detailed schedule of the 2nd Summit can be found here.

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When and where will the Summit take place?

The 2nd North American Summit on Interpreting will take place on June 17 and 18, 2011, at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel (1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, United States 22209). The hotel is located just minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and five minutes walking distance from the Rosslyn Metro Station.

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What does it cost to attend the Summit?

Registration for the Summit is as follows:
Individual Registration:
$350 (Early Bird through April 30, 2011)
$400 (starting May 1, 2011)
Student Registration:
$200 (Early Bird through April, 30, 2011)
$250 (starting May 1, 2011)
Same Day Registration: $450
One Day Registration:
$225 (Early Bird through April 30, 2011)
$275 (starting May 1, 2011)
This cost includes registration, event day breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and a closing reception.

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How do I register for the Summit?

You can register online or by completing a registration form and emailing it to info@interpretamerica.net or faxing it to 831-641-0313. You may also send the completed printed form to InterpretAmerica, P.O. Box 1148, Monterey California 93942. Participants are encouraged to register early since space for the Summit is limited.

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Aren’t there enough venues already where interpreters can interact?

Professional associations span the continent and specialized conferences for specific sectors of the interpreting profession take place on a regular basis. However, the North American Summit on Interpreting is the only venue where leaders and specialists from all sectors can come together to learn from one another and network. The Summit fills a void that has existed for far too long and seeks to envision the future of one single interpreting profession, similar to the way people think of the legal and medical professions.

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I am involved in professional association leadership, why should I attend?

For all of the reasons already outlined. Professional Associations are key to the professionalization of any field. Their leaders are immersed in advocating and building the field to the benefit of its members and those who receive their services. It is critical for all of us as leaders and experts to be fully versed in developments across the entire interpreting profession.

Each sector is pushing the profession forward in unique and important ways, whether it be the development of video and telephonic interpreting technology in medical interpreting, a full-scale certification structure in signed language interpreting, federal and state-level testing available in legal interpreting, or the advance curriculum and degree programs available in conference interpreting. Yet all too often, the benefits, and sometimes disadvantages, of these innovations go unperceived by other sectors, which often start their own parallel efforts from scratch.

Our goal is to provide you with critical information and new connections to colleagues across all sectors of the interpreting profession—information and contacts that will help you in your daily work to better our profession.

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I am a buyer/user of interpreting services, why should I attend?

Those who contract interpreting services need a comprehensive understanding of the field. When asked to provide a “certified interpreter,” what does that mean? Who can certify and in what sectors? What kinds of training and education programs are available and how can you evaluate the competence of interpreters who have gone through them? What are the best practices and differing ethics and standards governing each branch? Only through a broad awareness of the field as a whole can you provide the high quality and competent interpreting services required in today’s market.

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I am a researcher/academic/trainer, why should I attend?

Too often researchers and educators work in isolation from other key players in the field. Everyone needs better access to existing research and studies. And researchers will benefit from a better understanding of the broader profession and market they are studying. The reports and information resulting from this Summit will be of particular interest to researchers.

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I am a practicing interpreter, why should I attend?

When interpreting, the golden rule is “context means everything.” The same is true when it comes to being a professional interpreter. The more information and connections you have to the broader field, the better you will be in your daily practice, the more effective advocate you will be for your job and for the profession, and the more opportunities you will have to advance your interpreting career.

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How will I benefit by attending the 2nd North American Summit on Interpreting?

This Summit is the first of its kind in the United States designed to bring together leaders and experts from the community, conference, legal, medical, military and sign language sectors of the interpreting field with one goal: to discuss the state of interpreting as a profession and industry. (Summit Program)

At no other event can participants expect to:

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Does the North American Summit on Interpreting really bring anything new to me professionally?

Yes! Feedback from the 1st North American Summit on Interpreting was unequivocal. Participants and sponsors alike found great value in the comprehensive overview of the interpreting profession provided. The conference program for the 2nd Summit is based on the themes that emerged from the 1st Summit and promises to build upon the momentum generated. No other meeting provides a forum targeting Interpreting as a single profession and industry. No other meeting provides critical information about the entire profession with the express goal of strengthening the whole to the benefit of all its component parts. No other meeting has commissioned research and reports for its participants.

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Why was InterpretAmerica created?

InterpretAmerica, LLC is a legal entity created to organize the first national forum specifically for the interpreting profession. In recent years, we have observed great interest amongst interpreting leaders and experts from all sectors for broader interaction with peers. There is a lack of awareness and information about how each sector works, where norms, standards, and practices differ, where they are the same, and where overlap could benefit all. We believe in the tremendous value of simple face-to-face networking.

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Is InterpretAmerica a Professional Association?

No. InterpretAmerica’s sole mission is to provide a national forum for the entire interpreting profession. It was formed as an LLC to facilitate the planning and holding of meetings and other events where the entire industry can gather and exchange ideas and knowledge. InterpretAmerica seeks to facilitate the sharing of information and resources, networking, and to support the critical work currently being undertaken by professional associations, vendors, academic institutions and researchers across the field.

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Is InterpretAmerica a Language Services Provider?

No. InterpretAmerica does not provide language services of any kind. If you are in need of language services, we encourage you to contact any of the language service providers sponsoring the Summit. InterpretAmerica's sole mission is to provide a national forum for the entire interpreting profession. It was formed as an LLC to facilitate the planning and holding of meetings and other events where the entire industry can gather and exchange ideas and knowledge. InterpretAmerica seeks to facilitate the sharing of information and resources, networking, and to support the critical work currently being undertaken by professional associations, vendors, academic institutions and researchers across the field.

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