Professional Translators & Interpreters Conference

About PTIC 2026

Join Harris County Department of Education for its second annual Professional Translators & Interpreters Conference (PTIC) as professionals in the language access community take the next stage and

🎙 Step up to the Mic

This dynamic two-day event is designed to elevate the vital role of language professionals in our community, including translators, interpreters, bilingual staff, multicultural directors, family engagement coordinators, administrators and more.

Come network, share your experiences and learn from dedicated language access professionals in education.

PTIC Professional Development Hours Awarded to Attendees

PTIC2026 has been approved for RID Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and ATA Continuing Education Points (CEPs). Eligible participants who meet attendance requirements will receive applicable credit.

Keynote Speaker

Mireya Pérez

Creative Director and
Host of Brand the Interpreter

Mireya Pérez is the creator and host of Brand the Interpreter®, a platform dedicated to elevating the voices, stories and professional identity of interpreters and translators through storytelling, education and live conversation.

Featured Speakers

Nora Díaz

CENTER STAGE

AI & Tech Educator, Translator and Interpreter

A smiling man in a black polo shirt is in the foreground, with a blurred building in the background.

Néstor Wagner

OPEN MIC SESSION

Founder & Director, Southern California School of Interpretation (SCSI)

Thursday, July 30, 2026: Day One Masterclass Sessions

Friday, July 31, 2026: Day Two Conference Schedule

7 – 8 a.m.	Registration / Breakfast / Vendor Showcase*
8:05 – 8:15 a.m.	Conference Kickoff Stephanie De Los Santos, HCDE Director of Marketing & Client Engagement Wendy Utterback, HCDE Translations Coordinator Welcome James Colbert Jr., HCDE Superintendent
8:15 – 8:25 a.m.	A Word from Event Underwriters & Award Recognition Ludmila Golovine, MasterWord Maria Mercau, MGM Linguistic Solutions
8:25 – 9:25 a.m.	Open Mic Keynote (Main Conference Room) Mireya Pérez, Creative Director
9:25 – 9:40 a.m.	*Vendor Showcase / Coffee & Tea Break**
9:40 – 10:30 a.m.	Breakout Session 1 Backstage Access Lab 1
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.	*Vendor Showcase / Coffee & Tea Break**
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.	Center Stage featuring Nora Díaz (Main Conference Room) AI & Tech Educator, Translator and Interpreter
11:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.	Lunch — Prize Drawings
12:35 – 12:50 p.m.	*Vendor Showcase / Coffee & Tea Break**
12:50 – 1:40 p.m.	Breakout Session 2 Backstage Access Lab 2
1:40 – 1:55 p.m.	*Vendor Showcase / Coffee & Tea Break**
1:55 – 2:45 p.m.	Breakout Session 3 Backstage Access Lab 3
2:45 – 3:05 p.m.	*Vendor Showcase / Coffee, Tea & Snack Break**
3:05 – 3:30 p.m.	Mic Check with Néstor Wagner (Main Conference Room) Founder & Director, Southern California School of Interpretation (SCSI)
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.	Closing

Backstage Access Labs with Néstor Wagner

What are Backstage Access Labs?

Néstor Wagner, founder and director of the Southern California School of Interpretation (SCSI), is offering three exclusive learning opportunities for registered attendees on Friday, July 31 at #PTIC2026.

These three small-group lab sessions are designed to provide hands-on, practical training for interpreters and bilingual professionals looking to strengthen real-world skills, explore AI tools, and enhance professional performance. Each lab session will accommodate 17 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

Labs will run concurrently with Breakout Sessions 1 through 3.

Backstage Access Lab Schedule & Information

NOTE: Pre-registration is required to attend these small group sessions

Lab 1: 9:40–10:30 a.m.

Real Talk: Practical Training in Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpretation

9:40–10:30 a.m. | Room 504

Description:

In this seminar, participants will engage in practical simultaneous and consecutive interpreting exercises designed to strengthen core interpreting skills. The session will provide effective techniques and professional tips to improve accuracy, fluency, memory, note-taking, and message delivery. The practice activities reflect common interpreting situations and are intended to support the development of stronger interpreting performance.

Lab 2: 12:50–1:40 p.m.

The Playback: AI Lab Session - Reviewing and Enhancing an LLM

12:50–1:40 p.m. | Room 504

Description:

This seminar provides an overview of how Large Language Models (LLMs) are reviewed and improved. Participants will explore the basic concepts of model evaluation, performance assessment, and enhancement techniques used to improve the quality and effectiveness of AI-generated responses.

Lab 3: 1:50–2:45 p.m.

Say It Like They Mean It: Introduction to IEP Interpretation for Interpreters and Bilingual Staff

1:50–2:45 p.m. | Room 504

Description:

This seminar provides an overview of the challenges commonly encountered during IEP interpretation sessions. Topics include essential terminology, professional protocol, ethics, and practical interpreting tips. The session is designed for both experienced interpreters and bilingual staff seeking to strengthen their skills and confidence in the IEP environment.

General Session (all attendees): 3:05–3:30 p.m.

Mic Check: AI for the Modern Interpreter

3:05–3:30 p.m. | Room 504

Description:

This seminar examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in the interpreting profession. Participants will learn the distinction between an AI user, who utilizes existing AI tools, and an AI designer, who develops and customizes AI solutions to solve specific language-service challenges. Through practical examples and real-world applications, attendees will discover how AI can enhance productivity, improve quality, and create new opportunities for modern interpreters.

Sponsor PTIC 2026

Put your brand in front of language access leaders

PTIC 2026 sponsorships offer targeted exposure to bilingual professionals, language access leaders, and education partners from across Texas and beyond.

Align your brand with a mission-driven conference focused on real-world impact.

Stay in Houston

PTIC 2026 attendees can reserve rooms at a at the Marriott Marquis Houston. Stay close to the action while enjoying exceptional service and attention to detail throughout your visit.

About the Professional Translators & Interpreters Conference

PTIC 2026: Step Up to the Mic

Are you ready to take the mic? Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is bringing translators, interpreters and language access professionals together for the second annual Professional Translators and Interpreters Conference, #PTIC2026 for a 2-day event!

Scenes from PTIC 2025

2026 PTIC Committee

Committee members working to build on last year's PTIC success

Meet the hosts of this year's Professional Translators and Interpreters Conference

any text here HCDE Star Logo

About HCDE

Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is a unique hybrid educational service provider supporting school districts, governmental entities and nonprofits in the third-largest county in the country. As the last remaining county office of education in Texas, HCDE directly serves students from birth to adult and provides services that support more than 257,300 students and 39,600 educators each year. HCDE also provides services to dozens of governmental agencies and nonprofits.

HCDE turns every $1 of property taxes into more than $7 in services. By leveraging property tax dollars through fees for service and grant funds, HCDE has become a model of fiscal efficiency and has won numerous financial accounting awards in Texas and around the country.

HCDE is committed to providing reasonable accommodations upon request with advance notice. Contact Wendy Utterback at wutterback@hcde-texas.org