Message from the Board Q4 2006

Aki Ito, GALA Board Chair

On September 19, Alchemy Software Development provided GALA members with the first of GALAs hosted webinars designed to present members with available industry tools. The seminar attracted over 60 participants, and it was a great success. I attended the webinar. The presenter focused on providing in-depth information about the tool in a sales-free atmosphere.

 

Since this first event, multiple GALA member companies who provide language tools have committed to host similar webinars. For owners and managers of LSPs, it’s important to stay on top of what kind of technology is available today and what’s coming in the future. I am happy to see that GALA has become a vehicle for LSP owners and managers to connect with tool companies. I am sure it’s a good opportunity for tool companies to get to know potential customers, too. Like Common Sense Advisory’s Renato Beninatto has said in the past, buying is OK, selling is not. I am also thankful to Alchemy’s staff for initiating this new trend in our association.

In November, I was in Wiesbaden, Germany to attend the tcworld Conference, where GALA organized the Localization Forum thanks to Matthias Caesar, Daniel Carter, and other volunteers. We had a localization track in the program, and each session attracted around 40 - 50 people. As I spoke to some of the technical communicators at the conference, it was nice to see that GALA’s name is recognized outside of the localization industry.

Also, it was very nice to see some familiar faces of GALA members at the event. It was my first trip to Wiesbaden and my first tcworld conference. I know how uncomfortable it can be to attend a new conference where you know nobody, and I realized that having familiar faces around at a conference is another intangible benefit of GALA membership. It certainly helped boost my confidence throughout the event and in exhibit hall. I also met new GALA members. GALA membership is getting large enough to feel like whatever conference I go to, I will see someone I know. That’s a great feeling.

Time flies and this is the last message from me as the Chairman of GALA. It has been a great two years serving as a board member and I would like to thank everyone who supported me. I also want to welcome Kim Harris, our newest board member. I have 100% confidence that our 2007-2008 Board members and GALA staff led by Laura Brandon will take us to the next level.

For the GALA Board,

Aki Ito
GALA Board Chair