On 19-20 February 2026, the ELIA Community gathered at the Crowne Plaza Porto for ELIA Together 2026, a two-day event dedicated to collaboration, learning, and meaningful connection. Under the theme The Power of Co-Creation: Collaboration on Focus, freelancers, LSPs, vendor managers, and academics explored how stronger partnerships and shared insight can help the language industry navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
From the very first moment, the atmosphere reflected the spirit of the event: open, welcoming, and centred on community. As one attendee shared:
“This was my first time at ELIA, and I must say I’m surprised with the ambiance, the vibe, the relaxed tone of all conversations (although sometimes about difficult topics). There is a noticeable willingness to engage, share, talk, discuss and have fun at the same time.” — João Campos
The programme combined strategic insight with practical takeaways, featuring a keynote session, two parallel talks, two hands-on workshops, and a lively panel discussion. Across the two tracks, speakers addressed topics ranging from collaboration frameworks and networking strategies to creativity, resilience, and the responsible integration of AI in localisation workflows.
Opening the event, keynote speaker Sophie Solomon delivered The Art of Adaptability, setting the tone for discussions about relevance, resilience, and professional growth in an industry shaped by rapid technological change.
“The message was simple—but not easy: IQ helps you perform. EQ helps you connect. TQ helps you operate. But AQ—Adaptability Quotient—determines whether you continue to matter.” — Alina Brisan
Sessions throughout the programme explored collaboration from multiple perspectives. In Partners in Evolution, Tiago Cruz examined how freelancers and LSPs can co-create more effective workflows through trust, communication, and human-centred processes. Other sessions focused on practical relationship-building, including Oleg Semerikov’s science-based framework for purposeful networking and Fiona Gray’s session Find Your People, which emphasised the importance of strong professional communities.
As attendee Ana Sofia Correia reflected after the event:
“Different angles, different styles, but a shared theme: growth requires intention. And collaboration is a skill that now, more than ever, deserves to be developed consciously.”
Beyond the conference sessions, ELIA Together 2026 provided numerous opportunities for participants to connect face-to-face. The return of the Together Job Fair created a dedicated space for freelancers and LSPs to meet, exchange ideas, and explore new partnerships. Networking continued during informal breaks, shared meals, and the networking dinner at Casa da Música.
“What ELIA Together does really well is giving people the space to network and talk, and just have those conversations.” — Fiona Gray
This emphasis on genuine interaction is a defining feature of the event. As Nuria Castro Gay noted after presenting at the conference:
“What makes ELIA Together special is its atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like a crowded conference where you fight for attention. It feels open and welcoming. A space where conversations flow naturally and where collaboration happens.”
For many attendees, the biggest takeaway was the renewed sense of community. As Juliana Zmetáková summarised:
“Beyond the inspiring talks and the many conversations I was fortunate to have, one thing stood out to me: the power of human connection.”
The result of ELIA Together 2026 was an event that not only explored collaboration as a concept, but demonstrated it in practice. With the Porto edition now behind us, the conversations and partnerships sparked during these two days will continue to shape projects, businesses, and careers across.
Continue reading our attendees’ insights and takeaways on LinkedIn using #ELIATogether, and revisit our photo highlights on Instagram and the Facebook album.
We now look ahead to the next opportunity to connect: ELIA Focus on Executives 2026 in Chania, Greece, on 14-15 May.
