ELIA - Together 2026
Date: February 19-20, 2026
Location: Porto, Portugal
Attendee Registration: Registration open
ELIA Together 2026 brings freelance linguists and language service companies together to shape the future of the industry through meaningful collaboration. Under the theme “The Power of Co-Creation: Collaboration on Focus,” this edition will highlight how combined expertise, clear communication, and mutual respect lead to shared long-term success.
The event features two focused tracks:
- Track A – It Takes Two to Tango: exploring the human side of collaboration, including trust, communication, workflows, and building long-term partnerships
- Track B – Mastering the Moves Together: focusing on knowledge sharing, managing tech and AI realities, pricing strategies, skills evolution, and smart use of technology without the hype
GALA Annual Conference
Date: April 12-14, 2026
Location: Berlin, Germany
Attendee Registration: Registration open
GALA - the Globalization and Localization Association continues to serve as a cornerstone event for the language services and technology industry. GALA’s annual conference returns to Europe in 2026, bringing together professionals from around the globe to learn, share, and network.
The conference welcomes professionals in the translation and interpretation industry, as well as academic institutions, including students and faculty in translation, localization, interpreting, and related programs worldwide. GALA conferences are known for their inclusive environment where attendees can meet translation and localization professionals from around the globe who are eager to learn, share, and network.
BP26 Translation Conference
Date: April 20-22, 2026
Location: Avignon, France
Attendee Registration: Registration open
Known as the “Business and Practice” conference, BP26 Translation Conference is a premier event tailored for language industry professionals, with a particular focus on freelance translators and localization specialists. This dynamic conference offers flexible participation options, combining an immersive in-person experience in Avignon with subsequent virtual sessions, ensuring global accessibility for professionals worldwide.
The culturally rich city of Avignon, with its mighty Papal Palace dating back to the 14th century and the famous bridge, provides a compact and charming setting for this year’s event.
SlatorCon London 2026
Date: May 22, 2026
Location: Nobu Hotel Portman Square, London, UK
Attendee Registration: Registration open
SlatorCon is a leading executive-focused conference series for senior language industry leaders. The London edition typically draws 200+ C-suite executives, technology practitioners, and investors for a concentrated day of insights and networking. The conference features TED-style presentations limited to 30 minutes, with over 20 industry leaders sharing actionable market intelligence on topics including AI integration, M&A activity, enterprise buyer case studies, and the latest language technology developments. Known for its high-caliber attendees and data-driven content, SlatorCon provides a unique platform for executives to benchmark strategies and forge valuable business connections.
ELIA - Execs 2026
Date: May 14-15, 2026
Location: Chania, Greece
Attendee Registration: TBA
The 10th edition of ELIA’s executive-focused event creates an exclusive platform where language industry leaders converge to shape the future of the sector. This specialized gathering is specifically designed for C-suite executives, company owners, and senior decision-makers to engage in high-level discussions, share strategic insights, and forge valuable connections in a collaborative environment.
LocWorld55
Date: June 9-11, 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Attendee Registration: TBA
As the industry’s leading conference for international business, translation, localization, and global website management, LocWorld55 creates a unique space where global business leaders and language industry experts converge to explore emerging trends, share innovative strategies, and shape the future of global digital communication.
Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Dublin is an ideal location with great opportunities for business and a vibrant way of life. The city is a world leader in key innovative sectors and home to world-class companies and research centres in sectors such as ICT, life sciences, gaming, financial services, and localization.
Game Quality Forum Global 2026
Date: June 23-25, 2026
Location: Poland
Attendee Registration: Registration open
A premier gathering for the gaming industry, Game Quality Forum 2026 brings together QA experts, localization specialists, and production professionals to explore best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative strategies that enhance the global gaming experience.
Under the theme “Press Start on the AI Evolution,” this year’s forum focuses on helping Quality Assurance and Localization teams navigate fast-evolving player expectations, expanding platforms, and the growing influence of AI in development. The event explores how teams can use automation and AI as helpful allies, while delivering polished, localized, player-first experiences as gaming worlds become bigger and more complex.
As the only event dedicated to bringing together Quality Assurance, Localization, and Production professionals in one unique forum, attendees can expect practical workshops, engaging roundtables, insightful presentations, and valuable networking opportunities with industry peers from studios around the globe.
KTLC (Translation and Localization Conference)
Date: TBA 2026
Location: Warsaw, Poland (hybrid format)
Attendee Registration: TBA
One of the top translation industry events in Europe, KTLC (Konferencja Tłumaczy + Translation and Localization Conference) has established itself as a premier gathering for the entire spectrum of language professionals. The conference typically attracts around 400 participants (200 onsite and 200 online) with a uniquely balanced audience: approximately 50% freelance linguists, 25% LSP employees and managers, and 25% corporate, academic, and sister profession representatives. KTLC is known for its welcoming, community-focused atmosphere and features both English and Polish-language tracks, making it accessible to international and local professionals alike.
ALC 24th Annual Conference
Date: September 23-25, 2026
Location: San Diego, California
Attendee Registration: Registration open
The Association of Language Companies’ 24th annual summit provides a platform for LSP owners and senior executives to network, share insights, and learn from industry leaders. This three-day conference in vibrant San Diego is a premier opportunity to expand and strengthen your business through insightful presentations, dynamic panel discussions, and invaluable networking with leaders across the language industry.
The event is designed to help language service providers engage with peers, learn from industry experts, and discover new strategies to drive success. This cornerstone gathering for the language services community in the United States offers attendees the chance to explore emerging trends, exchange best practices, and build meaningful connections that help their businesses thrive.
Meet Central Europe Conference 2026
Date: TBA 2026
Location: TBA (rotating between Central European cities)
Attendee Registration: TBA
MCE 2026 welcomes translation and localization industry professionals, including C-level management, freelance linguists, language service companies, and project managers. This conference is co-organized by national translation company associations from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
ATA67 Annual Conference
Date: October 28-31, 2026
Location: San Francisco, California
Attendee Registration: Registration open June 2026
The American Translators Association’s 67th annual conference stands as North America’s premier professional development opportunity for language service providers. This four-day conference delivers cutting-edge educational sessions, industry-leading speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities, attracting translation and interpreting professionals from around the globe who seek to advance their expertise and connect with peers.
Languages & The Media
Date: November 4-6, 2026
Location: Senate House, London, UK
Attendee Registration: TBA
Languages & The Media returns for its 16th edition as the leading international conference for audiovisual translation, accessibility, media localization, and language technology. The 2024 edition in Budapest welcomed over 460 participants from 48 countries, making it the largest and most successful edition to date. Under the 2026 theme “Moving Images That Move Audiences: Localizing with Intent,” the conference will bring together accessibility professionals, researchers, technology providers, and content creators to explore the deeper purpose and societal impact of media localization. This three-day event features expert panels, hands-on workshops, and extensive networking opportunities for professionals working at the intersection of language, media, and technology.
TCworld Conference 2026
Date: November 10-12, 2026
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Attendee Registration: TBA
This technology communication focused gathering brings together technical writing professionals, thought leaders, students, and exhibitors from across the globe. Held annually in Stuttgart, Germany, the conference explores key aspects of technical documentation including standardized formats, content management strategies, and effective localization processes that make technical information accessible to diverse audiences worldwide.
Through expert-led lectures, industry exhibitions, and specialized training sessions, participants gain insights into best practices for creating clear, user-focused technical content that can be effectively adapted for international markets.
Looking ahead
As we look ahead to 2026, the localization industry continues to evolve with technological advancements and changing market demands. Key themes expected to dominate these conferences include:
- Artificial intelligence integration and responsible AI use
- Machine translation developments and quality assurance
- The changing landscape of language services
- Human-AI collaboration in localization workflows
- Sustainability and ethics in the language industry
- Emerging technologies in translation and interpretation
- Collaboration between freelancers and language service companies
Many events are still finalizing their dates and registration details, so be sure to check the official websites regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Explore machine translation in Gridly
Learn more about how to automate your localization workflow
The past years have seen an explosion in AI-driven localization tools, and studios across the world are racing to understand where and how they should fit into their pipelines. This panel brings together localization and AI specialists to unpack how workflows are evolving, where trust and integration friction still hold teams back, and which metrics matter when evaluating AI-assisted output.
What you'll learn:
- Where AI can realistically add value in game localization workflows
- How roles and skillsets may adapt as AI tools mature
- What still prevents broader adoption (integration, trust, quality, cost)
- How to measure success and evaluate tradeoffs like speed vs. quality
- Real-life examples shared by industry experts
