About ND 2025

Welcome Drinks

Venue

Open Registration

Event Opening, ELIA Board & Keynote Introduction

Opportunity Knocks: Do you Know the Rules?
Understanding how to Thrive Amidst AI-Driven Disruptions

The localisation industry is no stranger to change, but the pace Show more...and nature of today’s shifts are something else. AI, client expectations, internal fragmentation… the ground keeps moving. But with change comes opportunity.

In this session, Renato Beninatto will break down how LSPs can not just cope, but actually benefit from the current disruption. Drawing from decades of conversations with buyers and decision-makers, he’ll share what clients really care about and how to align with their needs and expectations , especially when there’s no localisation team on the other side of the table.

Renato will also challenge attendees to rethink how they present their value. Not everything is about translation. It’s about results. It’s about business outcomes. And it’s time we talked that way.

Expect hands-on examples and a few provocative exercises designed to shift your thinking. This isn’t about tools or workflows, but about mindset. Because if you don’t reframe how you see your work, someone else will do it for you.

Group Discussions and Q&A about the Keynote

Coffee Break

Introduction to the Discussion Group Format & to Topic 1

Opportunity Knocks: Who’s Got the Winning Hand?
Mastering the Shift from Selling Services to Selling Solutions

Is your language service company's offering keeping pace with Show more...the rapidly changing demands of the localisation industry? If you’re struggling to transition from a traditional service sales approach to a technology-focused solutions sales process, this session is for you! We will cover the strategic transformation needed to effectively sell solutions that incorporate technological advancements:

• Can you enhance service sales with technology to increase their value?
• Can you turn around the value proposition to talk about technology first and services second?
• Are you ready to become a software company? Should you build, or buy and resell?
• Strategies for developing a reseller approach with existing software and curating a meaningful portfolio, adding value both for customers and for the software vendor
• Success stories and case studies where AI-driven service offers were effectively sold as technology subscriptions or solutions

Buffet Lunch

Introduction to Topic 2

Opportunity Knocks: What’s the Real Price of Entry?
Dealing with the Illusion of No-Cost AI Services and Preserving your Value

Are your localisation clients under increasing pressure to incorporate Show more...AI into their workflows in order to dramatically reduce costs?
Have they discovered that the solutions available are failing to meet their expectations?
How can we understand the client’s needs and create meaningful offers that help them reach their goal but give us a part of the cake, too?

In this session, we come together to discuss the current landscape on the buyer side, where clients are striving to leverage AI for their localisation needs. What can we do if translation is expected for free? How are our know-how and services still valuable?

• Analyse the pressure on clients to utilise AI and the resulting impact on the localisation industry
• Examine the solutions clients are experimenting with and the challenges they face
• Identify which LSP services are becoming obsolete and evaluate opportunities for new services
• Address the misalignment between buyers' expectations and the reality of AI capabilities
• Think of strategies to help customers save costs while maintaining the relevance of language service providers

Coffee Break

Wrap Up of Day 1, ELIA Celebration & Introduction to the Self-Organised Networking Session

Networking Dinner at Öbölház

(optional)

ELIA Update

Panel Discussion

Coffee Break

Introduction to Topic 3

Opportunity Knocks: Are you Still in the Game?
The Essential Skills and Training to Stay Competitive

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the future of Show more...the language services industry, the need for retraining and reskilling at LSPs has become paramount. What can we as individuals do to stay relevant in the era of AI and natural language processing? What should we learn?

This session focuses on the specific opportunities for LSP leaders, management and staff to adapt and thrive in this new landscape:

• Pinpoint the essential skills and knowledge areas necessary for your company to stay competitive
• Discuss where you can obtain relevant training, including industry associations, peer networks, consultants, and external institutions. Can ELIA help?
• Evaluate the existing training programs that are specifically designed for the language services industry. Are they effective, practical, up-to-date, and aligned with AI advancements?
• Share actionable plans for integrating reskilling into your workforce, starting from leadership down to every team member

Buffet Lunch

Introduction to Topic 4

Opportunity Knocks: Time to Cash Out?
Planning your Successful Exit Strategy from the Localisation Business

As the SME part of the language services industry continues to Show more...experience a downward business trend and many company owners are facing declining revenues, it is not unreasonable for us to think about the options for a controlled exit.

This session will explore personal exit strategy options:

• How should we read the signs and understand when the time is right?
• What are the different exit options language service companies can pursue in the current market?
• Discuss who might be interested in acquiring language service businesses today, including industry peers, larger corporations, or investors
• Outline what steps need to be taken now in order to plan for a successful exit in the future
• Explore where business owners can seek advice and support, including industry associations, consultants, and external advisors

Coffee Break

Event Closing

Danube Private Cruise

(optional)