Why I Keep Returning to the NTIF

The Nordic Translation and Interpretation Forum, or NTIF, is an annual event for the translation industry in the Nordic and Baltic regions, held each year in a different Nordic city. The first edition was held in 2011, and since then it has gone from strength to strength, consolidating its position as a central hub for the industry in our corner of the globe.

This year’s event in Malm? was yet another insightful and inspiring occasion, with talks on interesting topics stretching from technology and new services to how we can support Ukraine and design accessible terminology. So for this edition of my blog, I thought I would talk a little about my experiences at the NTIF over the years, the 2022 edition and my hopes for its future.

Early Inspiration

I have attended the NTIF so many times over the years that I have lost count of the number or even when I went for the very first time, but I do know that the conference has brought me to cities such as Copenhagen, Helsing?r, Stockholm,?and most recently, Malm?. Not forgetting one virtual edition in late 2020, after the pandemic put paid to all kinds of physical gatherings for at least a year.

It was curiosity that drew me to my first NTIF – that and a desire to find some guidance in my journey towards establishing COMUNICA as a boutique translation agency specialising in the Nordics. I soon found that my instincts had not led me astray, and those early visits led to meetings and links that would help put me on the path to where I am today.

Two very inspiring and generous women in particular proved to be pivotal connections brokered through the NTIF. Cecilia Enb?ck , CEO of Translator Scandinavia, and Anne-Marie Colliander Lind , CEO of Inkrease Consulting AB. Both have become business partners of mine, and they taught me the value of attending international gatherings and making connections across our industry.?

Malm? 2022

This year’s edition was held in Sweden’s third city, Malm?, between the 16 and 18 November, just before that first heavy snowfall of the year swept in across Scandinavia, grinding the traffic and city life to a halt. The venue was the Clarion Hotel at Malm? Live, a vibrant and modern facility in the heart of this bustling harbour city.

Over the course of the event, we heard from a number of interesting speakers. These included keynote speaker Andreas Ekstr?m who spoke about the Power of & – in his words: “a new mode of thinking that goes against many people’s ideas of strong leadership and harks back to methods used successfully for years before digitalisation.”

AV translator Tiina Kinnunen (she/her) spoke to us about the chemistry required in matching companies and LSPs, with insightful and tongue-in-cheek references to dating platforms like Tinder.

And finally, Brona Nilsson spoke to us passionately about how the Ingka Group has worked to implement machine translation tools and processes within the IKEA group to increase capabilities for reuse and to boost workflow automation.

Think Tanks

Another key aspect of the conference was its innovative use of think tanks which were held in the so-called unconference style, meaning they are participant-driven rather than based around a presentation or talk.

I attended a very interesting think tank on integration in which we brought our different perspectives (end clients, LSPs, TMS providers) to bear on the challenges of automation and the integration of tools. The other think tanks touched on subjects such as interpreting, terminology, industry associations and end clients.

The idea of the think tanks was a very fruitful and insightful addition to the programme, offering an opportunity and a space for us all to put our heads together and discuss some of the most pressing issues and challenges that we share.

As has been the case at previous editions, I made the journey back to Spain feeling inspired and abuzz with fresh insights and news ideas – eager and ready to return to the winter sunshine in Fuengirola, where I live, and continue our journey here at COMUNICA.

What is it that makes the NTIF such an important fixture for me?

Ever since those early days, the NTIF has been a central fulcrum in my working year and an event which I always strive and endeavour to attend. There are many reasons for this.

Firstly, it is because the NTIF represents a unique opportunity to network with peers and also to meet potential clients and grow my business. It is a platform for idea incubation but also an opportunity to reach out and create links with others that can help drive us all forward.

Secondly, it is a great way to keep abreast of new trends and developments in the industry. Other LSPs are able to present new ventures and technologies and this allows me to get a sense of where the industry is at and where it is going. The importance of this cannot be underestimated, as it means we can keep ahead of client expectations and remain at the cutting edge of new developments.

Thirdly, it is also a great social occasion that allows me to meet new people and create new connections within the industry, whether over a cup of coffee during the day or a glass of wine in the evening as we dine, chat and explore all that our host city has to offer.

I feel confident that I will return to the NTIF once more in 2023, and I hope that the conference will only continue to grow and develop in the future. Long live the NTIF!