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Call for proposals

Meet Central Europe Conference 2026

We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the Meet Central Europe (MCE) Conference 2026, taking place on 21–22 October 2026 in Krakow, Poland.

This year’s conference will explore how Language Service Providers (LSPs) are adapting to rapid technological change, shifting client expectations, and new business realities across the translation and localisation industry.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Industry professionals aiming to maintain competitiveness and profitability in a rapidly changing market.​​

  • Vendor managers and project managers seeking insights into adapting to technological advancements and market shifts.

  • Freelance translators interested in understanding the evolving role of LSPs and exploring new collaboration opportunities.​

  • Stakeholders interested in the impact of acquisitions, mergers, and AI on the translation industry.​

TOPICS OF INTEREST
1. Transformation within Language Service Providers (LSPs)

  • Exploring how companies adapt to technological advancements and market shifts.​

  • Discussing practical examples of successful transformations and lessons learned.​

  • Addressing the evolving role of vendor managers in the changing landscape.​
     

2. Technology Integration and Automation

  • Case studies of integrating client systems with LSP TMS platforms and the operational impact of such integrations.

  • Practical use of online localisation platforms and ecosystem tools (e.g. Trados Live, Phrase, Crowdin, Smartcat) within LSP workflows.

  • Examples of internally developed AI-powered tools supporting translation, project management or quality assurance.

 

3. Training and Upskilling for the Future

  • Addressing the growing skill gap in AI and other emerging technologies within the language industry.

  • Exploring how LSPs and Single-Language Vendors (SLVs) prepare their workforce—translators, project managers, and vendor managers—for the shifting nature of our work.

  • Discussing practical training initiatives and upskilling strategies to ensure competitiveness in an AI-driven market.

  • Best practices in automated glossary extraction, terminology management and MT customisation.

  • Strategies for client retention and effective client feedback collection.


4. Talent Acquisition and Retention

  • Discussing the challenges of attracting and retaining qualified translators, interpreters and/or project managers in a competitive market.​

  • Sharing strategies for vendor management, talent development, career progression, and creating an appealing work environment.​
     

5. Competitiveness and Profitability

  • Addressing the challenges of maintaining profitability and competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.​

  • Exploring strategies for cost reduction, service diversification, and niche specialization.​

  • Case studies of successful LSP diversification.
     

6. Negotiation Strategies with Clients

  • Effective negotiation tactics to counter downward pressure on pricing from clients.​

  • Communicating value to clients when productivity changes.

  • Addressing misconceptions surrounding translation pricing and the impact of AI on client expectations.​

  • Rethinking pricing models in the era of AI-assisted translation (moving beyond per-word pricing: alternative models and real-world experiments).

  • Negotiation strategies addressing transparency, risk management, and client expectations in relation to MT and AI.
     

7. Acquisitions and Mergers

  • Examining the impact of acquisitions and mergers on companies, including benefits, challenges, and long-term outcomes.​

  • Seeking speakers who have experienced acquisitions to share practical insights and lessons learned.​
     

8. Other Relevant Topics

  • Expanding language services from local to international levels.​

  • The impact of AI on the translation industry and the future of freelance translators.​

  • Augmented language services and their implications for the industry.​

  • Thriving in a globalized market: strategies for success in a globalized language industry.​

  • Current trends in standards related to the localisation industry.

  • Best practices in cooperation with university language departments.

FORMS OF PARTICIPATION

  • Presentations: Duration of 30 minutes, including a Q&A session.

  • Workshops: Duration of 2 hours, including a short break.

  • Panel discussions

​SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please submit your proposal including:

  • Title of the presentation.​

  • Short abstract (max. 100 words).​

  • Short bio (max. 100 words).​

  • High-resolution photo.​

  • Hyperlink to a maximum 1-minute video recording introducing yourself and your presentation (please note that uploading the video itself is not possible, only a link).​

 

​

Important dates​

  • Submission due: 17 April 2026

  • Conference date: 21-22 October 2026​

​

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to Krakow for a conference filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities.​
 

​Please ensure your presentation is neither a sales pitch nor solely a success story from your company. If you wish to promote your tools or services, please contact Geoffrey at sponsorship@meetcentraleurope.com for sponsorship opportunities.​


As a token of our appreciation, speakers will receive a complimentary ticket to the full conference and a €200 travel reimbursement against an invoice submitted to MCE after the conference. Please note that the travel reimbursement applies only to speakers from abroad (i.e., outside of Poland). MCE will reimburse €200 and provide one complimentary conference ticket per presentation, as well as a 30% discount for co-presenters, if applicable.

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