Interview Spotlight with Asta Rusakevičienė from Diskusija

Next up in our new interview series celebrating our 20th Anniversary, ELIA’s Roots: Stories from Our Member Companies, is Asta Rusakevičienė from Diskusija.

This interview series is a continuation from our Past Board Members series, and this time we turn to the ones who have allowed ELIA to grow into the association it is today and showed support and engagement throughout the years: our Members.

In each edition, a Member Company shares their unique story with ELIA, from special memories and Member value, to business milestones and industry connections.

Now, let’s hear from Asta Rusakevičienė on her ELIA journey since 2007.

When did you first join ELIA, and what brought you to the association?

I joined ELIA in 2007, during one of its very first events – if I remember correctly, it was held in Berlin. My company, Diskusija, became a member just before that event (naturally, we wanted to enjoy the membership discount! 😊). I first heard about ELIA from some of my fellow Eulogia members who were also among ELIA’s founders. They encouraged me to attend the event. At that time, many of us were eager to learn and grow – we were hungry for knowledge, and industry associations like ELIA provided the perfect platform to gain expertise and exchange experience.

What is one of your favourite memories from an ELIA event or within the community?

I have so many wonderful memories that it’s difficult to choose just one. However, the first that came to mind was our Istanbul event, when the eruption of an Icelandic volcano kept us in the city longer than planned because flights were cancelled due to volcanic ash. That experience brought the community even closer together and left us with unforgettable memories. It seems that shared challenges really do strengthen friendships, so the volcano did a great job for ELIA! 😊

And, as someone who loves dancing, I must mention the Vilnius event (Focus on Execs 2022) and our dance competition 😊. I was so happy and grateful to see everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to take part in everything we at Diskusija, as the sponsor and organiser of that dinner, had planned for that memorable evening. It showed how open and genuine people are within ELIA, something that can only happen in a strong and connected community.

What do you value most about being part of the ELIA community?

I value the openness within the ELIA community. Sometimes it shows more in private conversations than in public discussions, which is perfectly understandable. I also treasure the friendships I’ve built with so many people here. It’s such a nice feeling to attend an event after missing a few and realise that nothing has changed – you meet familiar faces and it feels as if no time has passed at all.

I also appreciate how welcoming the community is. New attendees of the events are embraced easily and quickly become part of the group, which says a lot about the spirit of ELIA.

How has ELIA impacted your business or your professional journey?

I joined ELIA in 2007, during what I would call the language industry’s information and knowledge “vacuum”. At that time, it was very difficult for small and medium-sized language companies to find practical information about best practices, procedures, or management. ELIA filled that gap by creating a truly valuable platform for sharing knowledge and experience.

ELIA wasn’t the first or only industry organisation I joined, but what made it unique was the format of its events. They offered very practical workshops with a limited number of participants and a clear focus on specific topics. This was a major difference—and a great advantage—compared with other associations. PR, project management, sales, vendor management… these may sound like simple subjects, but the sessions were hands-on, concrete, and directly applicable to our work. They contributed greatly to the growth and development of small and medium-sized translation companies.

For me personally, these events, along with other studies and organisations I was part of, helped me better understand how to structure Diskusija, build relationships, and transform the company into a well-established language solutions provider.

At the same time, ELIA influenced my professional journey in another important way—by strengthening my self-confidence. The community of like-minded professionals, where you can exchange not only knowledge but also laughter, where you can ask for advice and offer it to others in a safe and supportive environment, has helped me grow both personally and professionally.

All the memories we have created together at ELIA events continue to strengthen our community and deepen my appreciation for this industry and for the work I do.

Looking ahead, what do you see for the future of ELIA and our community?

It’s very hard to predict. Associations, and especially their events, are no longer the only platform for members to access information and knowledge. Today, information is easily available everywhere. However, a forum where professionals can share their experiences, challenges, and insights, learn from each other, get inspired, and build cooperation is still very relevant—perhaps even more important than before.

At the same time, the language industry itself is going through a period of transformation, trying to redefine its identity in a rapidly changing environment. Industry associations are its backbone, and their role in shaping this new identity is crucial if they want to remain relevant. Associations are as strong as their members, and, in turn, companies can become stronger when associations do their job well and contribute to their success.

I see a temporary decline in participation at industry events, and ELIA’s events are no exception. Still, much depends on the direction ELIA takes and the added value it can continue to offer its members. In other words, the future will depend on energy, creativity, dedication, and deep understanding of the industry among those guiding ELIA. So far, our community has shown great unity and strength, and I hope it will stay that way.

I already see bold initiatives that help members stay in step with industry developments. The more initiatives we have, the better our chances of keeping members active and engaged. We already have a wonderful community; the key now is to keep it engaged by delivering real value and staying in tune with the pulse of the industry.

Thank you to Asta for sharing Diskusija’s ELIA journey! Your engagement and support continue to inspire and guide our community and Members, and we are grateful for the ELIA Family we have fostered together.

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Stay tuned for the next ELIA’s Roots article.