Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Global communities for localization professionals
GALA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are member-only communities built around a shared area of practice.
GALA currently runs four SIGs:
- AI Use Cases
- Audiovisual Localization
- Client
- Interpreting
Each SIG is led by volunteer moderators who are active practitioners in the language services industry. Members meet regularly online for presentations, guest speakers, and open discussion. Between meetings, the conversation continues in a dedicated forum.
SIGs are a practical way to stay current on a specialized topic, connect with peers who share your focus, and contribute to the wider GALA community.
SIG membership is included with every GALA membership.
Which Special Interest Groups Can I Join?
The AI Use Cases SIG highlights real-world applications of AI in the language sector, moving past the hype toward practical implementation in both linguistic and business contexts. Language service providers, end-clients, and language technology companies share challenges and solutions and support one another in adopting emerging AI technologies.
- Who should join: GALA members interested in breaking through the AI hype to see how real companies are utilizing the technology.
- Meetings: 90 minutes once per quarter. See the Event Calendar to register for upcoming events.
- Forum: AI Use Cases SIG Forum on Basecamp.
- Requirement: GALA membership.
The Audiovisual Localization SIG connects supply-side, buy-side, and technology companies in one community focused on collaborative growth. The group covers current trends, technologies, and processes for complex multi-modal localization projects, at both beginner and advanced levels.
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Who should join: GALA members working in audiovisual localization, or learning about it.
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Meetings: Second Thursday of alternating months, 8:00 am Pacific / 17:00 CET.
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Forum: Audiovisual Localization SIG Forum on Basecamp.
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Requirement: GALA membership.
The Client SIG is a forum for professionals who handle localization and multilingual communications inside global enterprises. Members share knowledge and learn from each other on topics specific to in-house teams, including internal advocacy, adopting new technology, and improving processes.
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Who should join: GALA members employed by end-client organizations.
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Meetings: Third Wednesday of alternating months, 8:00 am Pacific / 17:00 CET.
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Forum: Client SIG Forum on Basecamp.
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Requirement: GALA membership and employment by a client organization.
The Interpreting SIG is dedicated to advancing the interpreting sector. It unites clients, suppliers, and technology providers to develop collaborative solutions, promote the value of professional interpreting, and support education for interpreting professionals. .
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Who should join: GALA members working in interpreting services, or learning about best practices and emerging interpreting technologies.
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Meetings: Second Wednesday of alternating months, 8:30 am Pacific / 17:30 CET.
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Forum: Interpreting SIG Forum on Basecamp.
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Requirement: GALA membership.
How Do I Join a Special Interest Group?
SIGs are a free, member-only benefit; active GALA membership is required to join. To join a SIG:
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Log in and open your Member Compass.
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Select Profile on the left panel.
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Scroll to the Special Interest Groups section.
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Check the boxes for the groups you want to join.
As a SIG member you get access to the group's Basecamp forum and special announcements through the SIG mailing list (1–2 emails per month).
Questions about joining a SIG? Contact us at events@gala-global.org.
