International Presence growing at Conferences

At some medical conferences, the international audience can comprise as much as 70% of the total audience. What does this mean for you? 

You probably need to hire qualified interpreters who specialize in your industry. While many of your audience members may say that they speak English, they are likely to get a lot more out of your event if you provide interpreters for their language. Below are three tips to get you started. 

1. Don’t skimp on interpreter services. International audience attendance is growing, but sometimes event hosts are tempted to cut costs by tapping a co-worker who speaks the language, or they hope that their attendees know enough English to “get-by.” Do everything you can to guarantee that your audience fully participates and comes away from your event with new expertise and a willingness to recommend future such events to their colleagues. This includes hiring qualified interpreters. 

2. Begin the hiring process as soon as possible.  If you’re planning on hosting a conference and know you’re going to need an interpreter, don’t hesitate to contact an agency as soon as possible, especially if your conference covers a technical subject. The more lead-time an agency has, the more it can find just the right interpreter(s) for your language and subject matter. 

3.  Provide materials ahead of time. Usually speakers are asked to submit a copy of their presentation to conference presenters at least a week before the conference. Pass these materials along to your interpreters so that they can familiarize themselves with the content before the big day.


Statistics from: http://www.hcea.org/?page=news_info_2012_07

    

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