The first Direct Client Summit, a free online conference for freelance translators and interpreters, takes place June 30 through July 2, 2026, with a Welcome Day on June 29. Co-hosted by Nora Díaz and Josh Goldsmith, the summit tackles one of the profession’s most practical questions: how to move beyond agency dependence and build a business around direct client relationships.

Over the course of three days, 28 sessions will cover the full arc of direct client work, from the mindset shift that turns a freelancer into a strategic partner to the concrete systems that help you find, pitch, and keep the right clients. Topics include prospecting and outreach, pricing, positioning, objection handling, referrals, social media, trade shows, video marketing, accessible communication, and the role of the language professional as a strategic partner.

Why attend

The summit is built for translators and interpreters at every stage, whether you want to find your first direct client or a stronger book of business. Join the summit to:

• Learn how to position yourself so clients see you as a partner rather than a commodity.
• Get practical playbooks for outreach, from cold email sequences to AI-assisted prospect research.
• Hear how experienced colleagues set rates, handle objections, and turn one project into ongoing work.
• Pick up tools you can use the same week, with sessions on home pages, LinkedIn, video, and trade shows.
• Connect with a worldwide community of language professionals who share the same goals.

A standout lineup

Speakers include Corinne McKay, Renato Beninatto, Judy Jenner, Julia Poger, Verónica Pérez Guarnieri, Diego Cresceri, Michael Schubert, Adrian Probst, Ana Sofia Correia, Martina Russo, Joachim Lépine, Stefan Huyghe, and many more. Each day closes with a live Spotlight session on a core theme: Successful Direct Client Relationships on Day 1, The Long Game on Day 2, and Pricing on Day 3.

How it works

The summit is free to attend live. On-demand presentations open at 10 AM CEST each day and remain available for 24 hours, so you can watch on your own schedule. Daily live Spotlight and Speak Your Mind sessions add real-time discussion, and the summit wraps with a live closing session.

For those who want to keep the material and earn continuing education credit, the Power Pack adds early access with no 24-hour wait, at least 12 months of ongoing access, slides, worksheets, and transcripts for every session, a private podcast feed, and a certificate for 10 hours of ATA-approved CE credit. It also includes a ticket to the live Direct Client Outreach “Get it Done” Week (July 13 to 17), and more than 850€ in speaker bonuses. 

A word from the organizers

“Three days, real strategies, and speakers who have done the work. You leave with a plan you can put into practice right away.”

How to register

Registration is open now at directclientsummit.com. Join thousands of colleagues for three days of practical strategy, fresh ideas, and community.