Interview Spotlight with Gordana Antonijević
Last but not least, Gordana Antonijević joins us in our series: ELIA’s Roots: Stories from Our Past Board Members.
In this series, we celebrate the people who have helped shape our association’s journey and take a look back at their memories, achievements, challenges, milestones, and more!
Let’s take a look at Gordana’s unique perspective on serving on the ELIA Board between 2015 and 2018.
- What inspired you to join ELIA?
Having regularly attended the Networking Days events: from my first NDs in Vienna in 2009, being a supporter of ELIA and a true ELIA ambassador, and my company also sponsoring the events; I decided to run for the ELIA Board in 2015 and become even more actively involved in the association. I liked the friendly yet professional atmosphere, working with like-minded people who value both innovation and creativity, and constant learning. And all this while having fun.
- What do you remember most about the early days of ELIA?
For example, my first Networking Days experience was in Vienna in September 2009. It was the smallest conference I’ve ever attended, like a family reunion. And it had so many advantages. I had the opportunity to get to know every single one of the attendees, and I am still in contact with most of them today. Almost all of them took part in the discussions on the topics. Great benefits, right?
However, the next conference was much larger, but had one of the most interesting highlights. It took place in Istanbul in spring 2010. At the end of the conference, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted and paralyzed air traffic, so we all stayed in Istanbul. It was extensive networking – we kept meeting up in smaller groups and thinking about how we could travel back. I stayed four days longer than planned and was lucky enough to keep the same room in the hotel (as of course no one could fly in). It was definitely an unforgettable experience that we still talk about from time to time.
The real challenge was to establish processes as the association grew and needed a better structure. We also needed to maintain continuity with the changing board members. We also had to establish ELIA as an authority in terms of the benefits we offer our members and the content of the conferences, and also technologically; we had to keep up with the development of the language industry. At that time, there were already many conferences and other associations.
- What key milestones did you witness or contribute to during your time with ELIA?
During my two terms on the Board of Directors, I have contributed to the brainstorming, development and shaping of these new conferences/initiatives:
• Focus series:
- Focus on Executives
- Focus on Executives
- Focus on Project Management
- Focus on Sales & Marketing
• ELIA Exchange initiative
• Transfer of the Association’s headquarters from the UK to Brussels
• Constitution of Advisory Council
I was involved in the organization of ND Focus – ELIA’s Networking Days for Executives 2016 in Mallorca, Networking Days 2016 in Brussels, Together 2017 in Berlin, Networking Days 2017 in Bucharest, and Networking Days 2018 in Vienna.
- How has ELIA contributed to your personal or professional growth?
Professionally, it was somehow interchangeable. I brought my skills and expertise to the table, such as my organizational skills, my technical mindset, my knowledge of technology, my knowledge of social media, and other industry expertise. And I learned how to co-lead and help shape such an important association with a pretty solid membership.
For me personally, it was both a challenge to run for a board position and a big step to speak in front of a large audience. I remember our biggest Together conference in Berlin 2017, when I stood on stage and opened the conference together with Arancha and introduced the members of the program committee in front of almost 400 people! A few years before that would have seemed almost impossible to me, but you know, in ELIA you also gain confidence, you learn and share with others, grow together, as I said at the beginning.
And last but not least, I’ve made some really great friends with people I’ve met in or through ELIA.
- What impact has ELIA had on your company’s development?
You know, when you’re a Board Director, your company’s name appears everywhere your name appears. People who didn’t know me before I became a Board Director got to know me then. And they also got to know the company. I think that my active involvement has helped to raise the company’s visibility, which, together with the company’s expertise, has led to really successful networking that has resulted in new partnerships, both within ELIA and beyond.
- In your opinion, what has been ELIA’s greatest achievement?
The fact that ELIA has kept pace with developments in the language industry and has established itself as an authority, despite many players in the field. And this year it will be 20 years old!
Congratulations on your anniversary!
- How do you see ELIA’s role evolving in the future?
I see ELIA as an association:
- with many more active than passive members
- that provides its members with content on for professional development, including hard and soft skills, through various experts (both members and non-members, and from the industry and beyond)
- that continues to collaborate with universities, but not necessarily only with language universities – I was thinking of computer science (AI) and language technologies
- that perhaps collaborate also with the other stakeholders related to AI and language technologies.
- What advice would you give to current and future ELIA members and leaders?
Times have (generally) changed a lot since I was on the Board. Everything is faster and much less “romantic” than back then. There are “new kids on the block”. So I would say keep all the good from the past and add all the new ingredients needed to make ELIA a great and helpful association for its members and beyond.
And for the members: get actively involved in the association. This will benefit both you and your company.
- What is your fondest memory of your time with ELIA?
There are so many memories that it would take me quite a while to list them all. Let’s stick to the ones I’ve already described.
- Is there anything else you would like to share?
I am glad that I was a member of the Board during Françoise Bajon’s presidency. I learned a lot from her, she was a great motivator, and for me, she was a real role model of an association president.
I liked the unwritten rules we followed: e.g. no repeating speakers at the events (at least not too soon), instead try to find new experienced people who contribute a lot to the program; as a Board Member, promote other members, your company is already in the spotlight, etc.
A big thank you to everyone I’ve worked with during my terms in ELIA, especially my fellow Board Members, John and all the ELIA staff. We worked hard, but we knew how to party and dance!
And thanks to everyone I’m still working with as an ELIA Advisory Council member.
What are your thoughts on our last Board Stories article? Check out the LinkedIn post and let us know what you think!
We’ve expanded this series to all our ELIA Members. If you’re an ELIA Member company and would like to share your own story of being a part of ELIA, please fill out this form. Your experiences continue to inspire and guide our community and we would love to share them.
Read our previous articles of the series here and stay tuned for the new Member Stories series!
