10 Jun The Conference Between the Sessions

The Conference Between the Sessions

By: Julli Jaramillo

As I walked through the conference this year, I kept noticing something happening over and over again…

People were showing up.

To be more specific, they were present.

They were showing up for themselves, for their colleagues, and for the profession.

This year, NAJIT welcomed more than 150 first-time attendees, joining our returning members and bringing conference attendance to more than 350 people. While that number is impressive on its own, what stood out to me most was watching those attendees become part of the conference experience in real time and seeing our members embrace newcomers with such warmth and generosity.

This is what I saw as I worked to make sure Proteus found its way into the hands of every person who attended:

I saw people introducing themselves to complete strangers.

I saw attendees walk into sessions alone and leave with new connections, colleagues, and sometimes even new friends.

I saw professionals reconnect after time apart. The hugs were some of my favorite moments to witness.

I saw many of you step outside your comfort zones, join conversations, ask questions, and share your experiences.

I saw people fully present.

Because of my role within NAJIT, I had the privilege of moving freely throughout the conference between registration, sessions, exhibitor tables, and hallways. In many ways, I became an accidental witness to countless small moments of conference joy.

And honestly, those little moments became something much bigger for me.

A disco sticker started a conversation.

A disco tattoo sparked a laugh.

An eraser buddy somehow managed to find its way into countless pockets and conference bags. What surprised me most was how much joy those tiny erasers created. I watched people dig through the collection with genuine excitement, searching for the one that felt just right. For a few moments, seasoned professionals and first-time attendees alike stood side by side comparing favorites, trading stories, and sharing a laugh. It was a tiny reminder that sometimes the smallest things create the biggest connections.

Educational opportunities were everywhere, too.

Session rooms were filled with attendees eager to learn, ask questions, and engage with new ideas. Vendors and exhibitors looked sharp and ready to connect with conference-goers. Hallways became chambers of conversation between sessions and during coffee breaks, and more than once I worried my short stature might work against me as I navigated through the crowds.

But what stayed with me most was the energy.

I saw people dancing during Zumba at 6:00 a.m.

I saw people gathering around tables and introducing themselves.

I saw attendees making a conscious effort to be present, curious, and connected.

For many of our first-time attendees, this may have been their first opportunity to experience NAJIT not just as a professional organization, but as a community.

And that matters.

Professional organizations grow because people choose to participate. They grow because experienced professionals share their knowledge, newcomers bring fresh perspectives, and individuals decide that showing up is worth it.

And at this conference, I was genuinely amazed by how many of you decided that NAJIT was worth your time, energy, and willingness to embrace the experience.

Thank you to everyone who attended!

As the conference came to a close, I found myself feeling incredibly grateful.

Grateful to everyone who traveled to Atlanta to make space for learning, connection, and the exchange of ideas in support of language access in judicial settings, in support of NAJIT.

Grateful for NAJIT’s community and leadership for continuing forward through both opportunities and challenges with so much determination to push NAJIT into a better tomorrow.

And grateful for every attendee who chose to spend a few days learning, connecting, and investing in this profession.

To our first-time attendees: WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE!

We hope this was the first of many NAJIT conferences.

To our returning attendees: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GROW WITHOUT YOU!

And to everyone: if you happened to leave with a disco tattoo, an eraser buddy, a passport full of QR codes, a Proteus issue, a few new professional connections, limited-edition stickers, or simply a smile when you think about the conference, then I would say the conference was a success!

Let’s run it back next year?!

Keep the Conversation Going

If this topic resonated with you, be sure to check out our previous blog posts for more insights on the realities of our profession, and the evolving world of judiciary translation and interpreting:

The images used in this post are sourced from Unsplash, Pixabay, AI generated, and/or credited to their rightful owner. They are used for illustrative purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position, policies, or views of the NAJIT Board of Directors or the organization as a whole. Content published in The NAJIT Observer is intended to encourage professional dialogue, reflection, and community engagement. Reader discretion is advised where topics may involve complex ethical, professional, or emotionally sensitive subject matter.

Julli Jaramillo is the Publishing Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief for NAJIT. She holds a master’s degree in Translation from NYU and has extensive experience in quality assurance, content development, and strategic growth. Passionate about NAJIT’s mission to uphold ethical standards for judiciary translators and interpreters, she is dedicated to driving the organization’s growth while ensuring its publications meet high-quality standards and adapt to evolving industry demands. In her free time, Julli enjoys baking and creating art.

Feel free to reach out to her (editor@najit.org) to chat about the NAJIT Observer or Proteus—she is excited to collaborate!