The Professional Translators and Interpreters Conference (PTIC) expanded to two days in its second year, and community members supporting the growing spotlight on language access services in education answered the call to action. Held July 30-31 at the Irvington Conference Center, around 130 are expected to attend PTIC.

Of those, more than 40 educators and stakeholders came together for the inaugural VIP leadership brunch and panel discussion. Led by moderator Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, former Spring Independent School District superintendent and last year’s PTIC keynote speaker, brunch attendees listened as the panel dove into meaningful access for language services professionals, the vital role of leadership to open doors and how stronger communities positively impact overlooked populations.

Joining Hinojosa as panelists were Mireya Pérez, creative director of Brand the Interpreter; Ludmila Golovine, founder of MasterWord; Nora Díaz, AI educator and interpreter; and Néstor Wagner, founder and director of Southern California School of Interpretation. Pérez and Díaz later led 2 or 5 masterclass sessions to close out Day 1.