On December 3-5, the European Language Industry Association (ELIA) gathered project managers (PMs) from across the localization industry in Athens, Greece, for the tenth edition of its Focus on Project Management conference. Designed as a space specifically for PMs to learn, reflect, and connect, this year’s program centered on the theme “The Agora of Project Management: Where Process Meets Purpose,” encouraging participants to explore both the human and technological forces shaping their work.
The event opened with a pre-conference “Technology Day,” where attendees explored practical workflows, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools, and emerging solutions — setting the stage for deeper discussions during the core program.
The opening keynote from Stavroula Sokoli provided an immediate anchor for the conversations that followed. She highlighted the risks of hidden overconfidence in both familiar processes and rapidly evolving technologies, especially in the context of AI. Her focus on asking smarter questions, surfacing assumptions, and approaching automation promises through low-risk experimentation resonated strongly with participants. Sokoli’s reminder that communication, creativity, curiosity and responsibility remain essential in project management set a thoughtful tone for the next two days.
Justin Murphy continued the exploration of the PM role by examining what it means to lead during periods of change. He offered practical tools for supporting teams through uncertainty and navigating transitions with clarity. His framing of resistance as confusion — rather than opposition — was widely cited by attendees as a useful lens for understanding team behavior. Murphy emphasised that leadership emerges in everyday moments, shaped by consistency, communication, and the behaviors PMs model themselves.
Participants rotated through two complementary sessions exploring the PM’s role in an AI-enabled environment. Tony D’Angelo encouraged PMs to “clarify chaos,” addressing the messy expectations and ambiguous situations often found in fast-paced localization workflows. His lively, practical approach pushed PMs to experiment, stay curious, and take ownership even as automation becomes more pervasive.
In parallel, Vasso Pouli explored why PMs remain essential in AI-intensive processes. She highlighted the importance of guided automation, where AI supports execution while decisions remain grounded in human judgement and experience.
The discussions also addressed a common operational reality for many LSPs: the need to onboard new PMs quickly as workloads increase. Structured initiatives such as PM Training & Certification were referenced as a way to support faster, more consistent ramp-up, while reducing the burden on senior PMs who would otherwise need to train new colleagues alongside delivery work.
The sessions were highly interactive. One group, guided by Stavroula Sokoli, presented their thinking process live on stage, demonstrating how they prompted and challenged an AI tool in real time. The exercise made assumptions, uncertainties, and decision points visible — engaging the entire room and reinforcing the value of thoughtful questioning over quick answers.
Throughout the event, the atmosphere encouraged open, grounded exchange among peers who recognize the nuances and pressures of modern project management. Conversations during breaks and social moments explored AI implementation, workflow evolution, shifting client expectations, and the realities of leading teams through complexity. Many attendees highlighted the sense of connection as one of the most meaningful elements of the program.
Across the three days, a clear narrative emerged: The PM’s role is expanding, not contracting, in an AI-enabled world. PMs are being asked to not only manage processes, but also guide teams, interpret complexity, and support organizational adaptation. The discussions in Athens highlighted the continued importance of human judgement, contextual thinking, and collaborative leadership as the industry navigates rapid technological change.
The exchange of ideas does not end here. The next opportunity for the wider community to come together will be ELIA Together 2026 in Porto, Portugal, in February. Find out more about ELIA’s upcoming events here.
