Delivering on-site interpretation for a large-scale enterprise tech conference

For this global technology event attended by more than 30,000 participants, the company required secure live interpretation for a group of international media representatives. The sessions involved confidential product announcements, increasing the need for both accuracy and discretion.  

The client selected RWS based on years of trusted collaboration and consistent quality in written localization. As Program Manager Amra Selimovic explains, “The client knew our quality has been strong and that we understood their needs. They wanted us to do this work for them.” That established trust proved critical since the event required discretion, rapid mobilization and technical adaptability. 

Coordinated execution across venues 

Delivering simultaneous interpretation at a high-profile enterprise technology event requires knowledge beyond linguistic fluency, namely careful planning, technical alignment and the ability to adapt in real time. For this engagement, RWS needed to support two sessions with very different preparation conditions while maintaining consistent quality across both. 

Preparation under confidentiality constraints 

Planning required a multi-pronged approach. For one of the sessions, interpreters were given documentation to help them prepare for delivery, and they were able to go through critical information before the live interpretation took place. Because pre-event documentation was limited for confidentiality reasons, RWS recommended that interpreters arrive one day early to prepare on-site during rehearsals. This ensured familiarity with required terminology and session content prior to live delivery. 

Alongside this session, another major challenge required RWS to utilize its full expertise in quality translation and live interpretation logistics. A second event, kept secret from the public and intended to be a surprise, required interpreters to be flexible and draw on their full experience interpreting in the moment.  

Operating without advanced scripts for this event required interpreters to rely heavily on their subject-matter expertise and familiarity with appropriate terminology. In high-profile product launches, even minor mistakes can alter meaning or create confusion among media representatives. RWS needed to ensure interpreters were up to the challenge and had expertise in the language, the terminology and these types of specific events.

Simultaneous interpretation presents inherent challenges, particularly in highly technical environments. Japanese and Korean require interpreters to restructure complex English technical concepts into grammatically distinct sentence forms in real time, often anticipating meaning before a speaker has completed a thought. This increases the cognitive demand on interpreters performing during fast-paced product announcements. 

Qualified simultaneous interpreters with deep domain expertise in Japanese and Korean are also comparatively limited. RWS drew upon its vetted network of subject-matter experts with demonstrable live event experience to ensure they could perform at their peak ability even under pressure. Operating without advanced scripts for portions of the event required interpreters to rely heavily on their technical familiarity and event-specific expertise, where even minor inaccuracies could affect clarity for international media representatives.