Our signature panel, What the Future Holds, with Rosanna Balistreri, Jay Marciano, and Geoff Koby, among other most relevant issues explored the role of AI — its benefits and limitations. One metaphor stuck with us all: interpreters as surfers riding the waves of innovation, not merely watching from the shore.

As one attendee reflected, “I plan to spend half a day each month learning about technology to become more efficient for my interpreting practice — so I can be the one surfing.”

Examples such as AI-assisted note-taking for interpreters opened minds to practical applications of technology. For professionals who have experienced decades of technological shifts — from electronic dictionaries on CDs to modern tools — AI was seen as the next step in a long line of innovations that complement human skills. 

Professionalize Your Practice was a session for freelance interpreters, translators, and aspiring entrepreneurs. With her clear, engaging delivery and practical insights, Valeria Delmar provided a step-by-step guide on how to establish and elevate a language services business. From Zoom backgrounds and fonts to letterheads and logos, she demonstrated how even seemingly “superficial” elements play a critical role in presenting a cohesive, professional image to clients. Her message was clear: “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.”  

Valeria’s advice on organization, systems for tracking time, and building professional relationships offered valuable lessons applicable across career paths. Her session was described as one of the most practical and actionable presentations of LEO10. Attendees appreciated the wealth of resources and templates she provided. Valeria’s personable style and passion for helping others grow left a lasting impression, inspiring participants to embrace their role as business professionals and take concrete steps toward success.

One participant noted: “Her presentation made me think of the gaps in my freelance business. I took extensive notes to improve my rate sheets and outreach strategy.”

Bruce Adelson offered a clear, understanding of the legal landscape surrounding accessibility compliance for businesses in the language industry. His insights into federal and state laws, such as the ADA, Section 508, and evolving web accessibility regulations, offered a timely and necessary reality check. 

Bruce managed to strike the perfect balance: neither overly optimistic nor alarmist but instead offering a well-rounded view of the future under the next administration. Attendees appreciated the wealth of up-to-date information he provided, as well as his detailed answers to questions, including topics such as accessibility for businesses with physical locations. 

As one participant shared: “This was an interesting topic, unfamiliar to me. As an interpreter, I usually do my job without thinking of the impact organizations face when not providing access. It’s one of the reasons I attend LEO conferences.”

Bruce’s ability to blend legal expertise with practical examples made this session not only informative but also actionable. Attendees left with a greater understanding of how accessibility laws impact public organizations, schools, healthcare systems, and businesses — as well as the role interpreters and translators play in promoting inclusivity.

The next presentation by Gosia Wheeler also focused on accessible digital communication and collaboration. A masterclass in inclusivity, it was packed with practical insights and actionable strategies to ensure that everyone has a seat at the digital table. Her calm and engaging delivery made a complex topic approachable. 

One of the most impactful takeaways was the reminder that some disabilities are invisible, and that accessibility isn’t just about compliance, but about creating an environment where everyone can participate fully. One attendee remarked: “I learned a lot about tools that improve accessibility for vision-impaired and color-blind individuals, and I will now pay more attention to my design choices.”

Gosia’s discussion of accessible tools and resources offered practical steps attendees could implement immediately. One participant remarked after the conference, “I gained knowledge on tools to make my presentations and documents more accessible, and I’ve already applied what I learned to my work.”

Balancing the Scale panel with Jorge Mejia, Mad Haddad, Javier Castillo and Cynthia Navarro brought much-needed focus to the well-being, addressing the personal and professional challenges many of us face daily. Each panelist shared unique insights and experiences, creating a conversation that felt inclusive, authentic, and inspiring. 

Jorge’s perspective on being treated as just another tool and developing practical strategies for self-care struck a chord with many. Majd’s honesty about balancing motherhood and career aspirations offered an empathetic reminder to avoid comparisons and embrace our unique journeys. Javier’s advice on setting priorities, adequate sleep and remuneration had a clear message: we can’t pour from an empty cup. Cynthia brought a critical perspective as a remote interpreter, sharing her feelings of disconnection and the importance of creating meaningful feedback loops to ensure interpreters feel seen and valued. This was a call to action for language companies and other organizations working with interpreters, with one attendee reflecting: “It reminded me to go above and beyond to make interpreters feel SEEN and KNOWN by us.” 

Another LEO conference staple, the Legal panel featuring Bruce Adelson and Carla Fogaren explored compliance and equity. Attendees praised the panel for its real-world insights and the ability to address complex legal and ethical issues with clarity and energy.  

Carla’s firsthand perspective as both a registered nurse and language access advocate resonated deeply. Her insights into equity in healthcare, including the importance of auxiliary aids and the role of designated coordinators, helped attendees better understand the compliance frameworks shaping the industry. Discussions around recent cases, policy projections, and actionable strategies gave participants tangible tools to navigate uncertainty. As one participant remarked: “These two, I could listen to all day! Such a wealth of knowledge and experience.” 

Francesca Manicardi delivered a practical and insightful session on transitioning to a paperless workflow while maintaining efficiency and organization. Her step-by-step approach reassured attendees that going paperless does not need to be overwhelming and can lead to significant time savings and fewer headaches. 

 A key takeaway for many was the emphasis on simple, accessible tools. Francesca showed how widely available apps can streamline workflows without expensive, complex software. For interpreters and business owners alike, the session provided actionable strategies for digitally organizing expenses, invoices, and documents. Francesca’s insights made even those employed in non-freelance roles reflect on their workflows and organization strategies. 

Gulnara Shigabutdinova’s session was a refreshing exploration of how interpreters can optimize their memory, cognition, and mental processing to overcome challenges and perform at their best. Her thoughtful and engaging delivery resonated deeply with attendees, offering practical tools, relatable anecdotes, and strategies for managing common cognitive hurdles. 

Gulnara shared elegant solutions to address brain freezes while maintaining professionalism and composure. The session also emphasized mindfulness techniques and cognitive exercises that interpreters can use to strengthen their mental agility. Attendees loved the interactive nature of the presentation, particularly the drills and games, and many committed to implementing these strategies in their daily practice. As one participant stated: “I never thought of making my mind a ‘cozy’ place for myself! It was a very sweet perspective to have and one I will work on.” 

The Ethics panel with Janis Palma, Shawn Norris, Mireya Perez and Natalya Mytareva tackled tough questions with clarity and passion, reminding us of our core role: accuracy and neutrality. 

Participants highlighted valuable discussions around pre-interpreting interviews, self-esteem through improved standards, and the need for interpreters to master their “meta language” — a concise, confident way to explain our role. As one attendee noted, “We must prove we are professionals and emphasize the mental processing, cultural insights, and ethical awareness we bring to the table.” 

From handling family members who step in as interpreters to Mireya’s creative ChatGPT example underscoring why AI can’t replace humans, the panel struck the balance between theory, real-world examples, and valuable reminders of why ethics remain the backbone of our work. 

The main conference program wrapped up with Eliana Lobo’s masterclass on mental agility and professional growth, which offered actionable techniques to enhance short- and long-term memory, manage stress, and boost focus during interpreter assignments. Her interactive approach made the session both practical and enjoyable. 

The session introduced memory-strengthening drills, shadowing exercises, and the concept of active listening. Many found the exercises humbling yet inspiring, with one participant noting: “This session challenged me to push my limits and embrace continuous improvement.” 

Eliana’s presentation style — calm, insightful, and supportive — was a highlight for many, especially seasoned interpreters looking for ways to refine their craft. Her passion for the profession shone through, leaving attendees motivated to elevate their performance with renewed focus and determination.