2009 IMIA International Conference on Medical Interpreting
Global Perspectives on Professional Medical Interpreters
October 9-11, 2009 - Cambridge, MA  USA

Global Perspectives on Professional Medical Interpreters– reflects two thoughts, first that the right to a competent medical interpreter in all medically related encounters is not a local issue only but is a right in all parts of the world. Language access is a right that is protected by local, state, federal, and even international laws. The second belief is that medical interpreters are professionals that deserve the recognition and working conditions of comparable professions. While the interpreting profession is well established in the business and conference sectors, it is not as recognized or understood in the health care sector.

How is the interpreting profession doing in other parts of the world? What can we learn from their experiences?

What are the training opportunities and requirements in other countries?

How are the roles of the medical interpreter viewed elsewhere?

Conference Venue:
Hyatt, by the Charles River, Cambridge, MA.

2009 IMIA Conference
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
575 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139

Reservations:
Please go to the following Hyatt Reservation web page specifically for IMIA Conference Attendees to make your hotel reservations on line, and to ensure that that you receive our group discounted rate of $249/night vs. $319/night:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1121299

If you prefer to make reservations by phone, please call 1-402-592-6464.

Parking at the Hyatt is $10 per car for day self-parking, and $18 per car for overnight self-parking

Alternative Hotel:
The Courtyard Marriott Boston Cambridge (less than 1 mile from the conference hotel)
777 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 USA
Phone:  1-617-492-777
Web Site:  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/boscy-courtyard-boston-cambridge/

Additional Accommodation Resources:
Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://www.bostonusa.com/
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: http://www.bostonchamber.com

To Register go to:
http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/confreg2009.asp

Sponsorship opportunities due July 31st:
http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/sponsors09.asp

Events at the conference:
2 pre-conference sessions (AM Session: Title VI; PM Session: Simultaneous Interpreting)
3 keynote speakers (Friday PM, luncheon Saturday, luncheon Sunday
2 expert panels (Saturday: International Panel and Sunday: Office of Civil Rights Panel)
Annual National Certification Plenary Meeting on Saturday
Annual IMIA Plenary Meeting on Sunday
Over 50 educational workshops to choose from (speakers from all over the country/world)
Stakeholder meetings (started in 2006: Consortium of Interpreters Association; Providers; Trainers; Portuguese Division; Spanish Division; Corporate)
International Attire Reception on Friday October 9th (entertainment and appetizers)
Entertainment on Saturday and Sunday NEW!
Book Signing Event
Raffle of IMIA Recommended Books of the Month and other Prizes
International Medical Interpreter of the Year Award NEW!
Raquel Cashman Language Access Leadership Award

Registration Information:
The registration rates per-individual for this 3-day conference:

(includes 3 keynotes, 2 expert panels, and over 50 workshops/networking meetings to choose from, an international attire reception, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 entertainers, raffle and more):

Late and On Site Registration (September 16th - October 9th)
• $280.00 for IMIA Members
• $350.00 for Non-members

Please note:  As of August 2nd, 2009 all conference registration transactions are final - no refunds will be granted once the transaction has been processed.

CEUs:
We are offering RID and ATA CEUs (for those that are members of those organizations). We are working on our own IMIA CEU system for those that are IMIA members only and will have more information soon.



The Northeastern University Regional Interpreter Education Center is approved by the RID CMP to sponsor Continuing Education Activities.  This conference is offered for a total of 1.80 CEUs or ACET credits. Some workshops are in the Content area of Professional Studies (PS) and others are in General Studies (GS).  A maximum of 1.05 CEUs can be earned in the Professional Studies Content Area.  Levels of instruction vary and include Some, Extensive and Teaching.  There is a $10 processing fee for those participants requesting CEUs or ACET credits.

Sponsored in part by the Northeastern University Regional Interpreter Education Center, U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration, Interpreter Training Program Grant # H160A050002.


Conference Speaker Inquiries
Those with Conference Speaker inquiries may contact the speaker liaison, Vonessa Costa vcosta@challiance.org.

Boston - Planning to sightsee?
Visit: http://www.bostonusa.com/visit

If you have any questions regarding the 2009 IMIA Conference, please contact us at 2009IMIAConference@gmail.com.