On 15-16 May 2025, ELIA’s Focus on Executives returned for another edition, this time set along the coastline of Limassol, Cyprus in the St Raphael Resort & Marina. Created exclusively for language industry leaders, this event offered attendees a space for reflection, strategy, strong connections and intimate discussions, at an executive level.
“What makes Focus on Executives truly valuable is the way it addresses today’s most relevant and urgent topics: openly, honestly, and with exceptional expertise. The sessions offer clarity, structure, and perspective, thanks to the outstanding quality of the speakers and the thought that goes into curating each discussion. The event offers something rare: a place to stop, reflect, and think better. Which is exactly what this industry needs now.”
-Tony D’Angelo, CMT
Day one featured a full-day workshop led by Andrzej Nedoma, CEO of Nedoma.io Business Advisory. Through four sessions: Reality Check, New Positioning, Adapt, and Win Again, participants assessed their current businesses, refined their company positioning, and developed actionable roadmaps for sustainable growth. Andrzej led his session with real questions, such as ‘Who are you becoming as a leader?’ and ‘What does your team really need from you?’ guiding participants through honest thinking and strategising. Day one acted as a wake-up call and set the perfect foundations for day two.
On day two, Roberto Ganzerli, Owner of LSP Growth, explored opportunities to prepare your business for the changing market. AI is undeniably changing the industry, setting new trends and expectations. His message was clear: don’t chase trends—know your strengths, choose your direction, grow with purpose and focus on what truly sets your business apart.
Roberto took the stage for round two, and got into the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions for small to mid-sized LSPs, guiding attendees on when and how to sell or make big company changes.
Finally, Riia Carnegie, Founder Coach and Small Business Consultant, led the final session on strategic branding, guiding executives through practical exercises to challenge the effectiveness of their branding, and refine their value proposition and positioning. It wasn’t about generic marketing strategies, but about re-aligning your LSP through strong branding that speaks to your audience, communicates its value, and elevates your messaging.
The panel discussion: Shifting Client Expectations: Leading with Value-Driven Offerings, included Gaëtan Chrétiennot from Six Continents, Anikar Michael Haseloff from Across Systems, and Mina Ilieva from Mitra. Moderated by Diego Cresceri, the discussion offered their perspectives into understanding evolving client needs and positioning offerings that go beyond translation. What does it mean to lead with a value-driven offering? How can LSPs pivot from service providers to strategic business partners?
Beyond the sessions, the social events, including the Welcome Dinner at the Alakati Restaurant and Networking Dinner at the Marina Breeze Restaurant, provided attendees with plenty of opportunities to build lasting relationships through real discussions and 1-1 conversations.
From refreshing business strategy and insights, hands-on sessions and group discussions, to plenty of networking in and out of sessions, ELIA Focus on Executives 2025 brought together a community of industry leaders to step back, learn, share and connect, and reposition their businesses for a stronger future.
To everyone who joined us for #ELIAExecs 2025, thank you! Your participation and enthusiasm are what made this event truly special. Big thanks to our programme committee—Diego Cresceri and Dorothy Scerri—for creating a memorable event, and to our local partner, Translate.One, for a warm welcome to Limassol.
With Focus on Executives 2025 now behind us, we look forward to continuing the conversations at Networking Days 2025 in Budapest, happening on 22-23 September 2025. Keep an eye out on ELIA’s events page for more information to come. This year’s edition will be even more special as we celebrate ELIA’s 20th anniversary: a milestone marking two decades of events, learning opportunities, and community in the language industry. See you there!
