More than a literal translation—through emotional intelligence, technical precision, and decades of industry experience, we make your multilingual events a complete success.
or get our free checklist for your next event!
Imagine this: your keynote speaker captivates with humor and emotion, yet for international guests, the interpretation sounds dry and monotonous—nuances are lost.
That comes at a price: at product launches, purchase intent drops; in investor meetings, a single mistranslated word can decide funding; and at medical congresses, a misunderstanding can quickly become a patient-safety risk. (consequence: incorrect information spreads = negative word of mouth)
Cultural nuances make it even trickier: what sounds polite in Europe can be perceived as an affront in parts of Asia. Professional interpreting is therefore far more than language transfer—it preserves impact, trust, and success.
With SMILE Translations, multilingual communication becomes second nature.
Our academically trained and carefully selected simultaneous interpreters convey your messages in real time—not only with accurate content, but also with the right emotional tone and cultural sensitivity.
We call this “emotional translation”: a concept that goes beyond mere word-for-word translation and creates genuine connections between people from different cultures.
Our team of over 1,000 specialized interpreters worldwide is proficient in more than 70 language combinations and has in-depth expertise in various industries.
From pharmaceutical conferences to financial meetings to political summits – we speak your language!
We use state-of-the-art interpreting technology and sophisticated project management so that you can concentrate 100% on your content.
Our selection process for interpreters is rigorous. In addition to the mandatory university degree in interpreting, we require at least three years of practical experience in conference interpreting.
Furthermore, we value specialization in specific subject areas and continuous professional development.
Every interpreter in our network is regularly evaluated and qualified through peer reviews.
These high standards enable us to put together the perfect team for every assignment. Tailored to your industry, your topic, and your specific requirements.
The personal support provided by our managing director and internationally trained conference interpreter, Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA, sets us apart from anonymous large agencies.
With over 20 years of experience in the international conference business, she understands the challenges faced by event managers and offers tailor-made solutions. From the initial inquiry to the debriefing, you will have a direct contact person who will make your event a success.
Our interpreters are language experts and specialists in their fields. Medical interpreters are familiar with clinical studies, financial interpreters with compliance and regulations, and technical interpreters with Industry 4.0. This expertise guarantees accurate transmission, even for complex topics.
Whether it's a confidential meeting or diplomatic negotiations, discretion is a matter of course. All interpreters work under strict confidentiality agreements.
From planned conferences to spontaneous crisis meetings—we are ready to go. Our 24-hour service activates experienced interpreters on site or remotely within a very short time. Backup teams and emergency plans ensure uninterrupted communication.
Simultaneous interpreting requires much more than simply translating words – it involves emotions, nuances, and cultural understanding. This is precisely why human interpreters remain irreplaceable, even as AI tools become increasingly powerful.
Pure word‑for‑word translation without emotional understanding
The multi-stage process of understanding, transcribing, and translating spoken content is prone to errors and has few control mechanisms.
Delays of 30 seconds or more cause audio and video to drift—confusing audiences
Data‑protection risks in cloud‑based services
Often fails with deviations from the norm - even intonation (e.g., questions not recognized as such)
Interpret gestures, facial expressions, and context, reacting instantly to the unexpected and to body language
Quality assurance with a second interpreter as co‑pilot
Quality assurance with a second interpreter as co‑pilot
Understand regional variations and strong accents and adapt communication accordingly.
Absolute discretion through non-disclosure agreement
A recent example: Just recently, we were asked to provide human interpreters for a conference lasting several days that was originally broadcast remotely using an AI tool, because the emotions that were extremely important at this conference were not conveyed by the AI.
Benefit from our decades of experience in organizing international events.
Our comprehensive checklist guides you step by step through all the important aspects of planning and executing multilingual conferences. From the initial needs analysis to the selection of interpreters and technical equipment, this guide ensures that you won’t overlook anything important.
Download our event checklist for free
The checklist contains practical templates for interpreter briefings and a troubleshooting guide for common challenges. No email registration required—direct download as a PDF.
“We have been working very well with SMILE Translations since 2019. We undertook the “remote interpreting” project for 26 languages, including sign language, largely because we have 100% confidence in SMILE’s service.
“The tests months before the big event at another live event in Berlin, as well as the implementation, were a complete success. Together with SMILE, we have created a system for interpreting in our company for the future.” says Nikolaus K., event manager
Every year, a major event with several thousand participants is held in different cities around the world, usually with over 20 booths on site behind the stage.
There was not enough space backstage at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, so in 2019, for the first time, work was done “remotely.” The interpreters were in Vienna in a hub, sign languages were transmitted via video, and the 24 spoken languages were transmitted via audio. Participants were equipped with receivers and headphones on site.
20+ years of experience in international communication
SMILE‑Translations was founded in 2004 by Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA, has since become a leading address for professional interpreting services internationally and in Austria. We set the highest standards for quality and reliability. Our headquarters are near Vienna, and our worldwide network of over 1,000 academically trained interpreters enables us to deliver projects of any size.
Our expertise spans all industries and fields. From negotiations in cities around the world and international congresses to local general meetings of listed companies, we have the experience and know‑how for every communicative challenge. We work closely with renowned venues such as the Austria Center Vienna and international congress centers.
What sets us apart is our concept of “emotional and authentic translating/interpreting.” We understand that successful international communication requires more than correct wording. It’s about building bridges between cultures, creating trust, and enabling authentic connections. This philosophy, combined with modern technology and professional project management, makes us the partner of choice for companies, organizations, and institutions worldwide, including those in Austria.
For international conferences and large events, we recommend a lead time of at least six weeks. We need this time to carefully select specialized interpreters, prepare thoroughly using your reference materials, coordinate travel if necessary, and reserve the technical equipment. For smaller meetings or business meetings, two weeks’ notice is often sufficient. In urgent cases, we also offer a 24-hour express service, but with a 50% surcharge on the regular rates.
The cost of professional simultaneous interpreting depends on several components and the specifics of your event. With remote interpreting, travel and accommodation costs are eliminated, resulting in a significantly reduced overall budget. We’ll be happy to prepare a tailored quote based on your requirements after a phone or virtual meeting.
The setup depends on the number of attendees and the format. For conferences with 20 or more participants, we recommend ISO-standard booths with adequate sound insulation. Each participant receives a wireless receiver with a headset for crystal‑clear audio. For smaller events or tours, mobile tour‑guide systems can be a cost‑effective alternative. Our technicians handle the complete installation and provide support throughout.
Absolutely—hybrid solutions are increasingly popular and offer maximum flexibility. We can combine on‑site booth teams with remote interpreters joining from other locations. This is ideal for rare language combinations or short‑notice additional languages. Integration is seamless via our RSI platform, compatible with all standard conference systems.
Our selection is based on six criteria: academic interpreter training, proficiency in an appropriate language combination with native-level command, at least three years of conference experience, field specialization in your industry, positive references from colleagues, and availability. For highly demanding events (e.g., medical or financial), we utilize interpreters with proven expertise in their respective fields. All our interpreters are academically trained and regularly qualify through CPD and peer reviews.
Our engineering team is on site before and during your event and reachable at all times. Additionally, a dedicated SMILE project manager is present both before and during the event. This ensures 100% availability and communication between you and us.
During a complimentary initial call, we will work together to analyze your requirements. We discuss format, attendee numbers, language combinations, and technical conditions. Within 24 hours, you receive a transparent, detailed quote with no hidden costs.
After commissioning, the intensive preparation phase begins. We select specialized interpreters based on your field and brief them using your reference materials. In parallel, we coordinate the technical setup and provide everything the interpreters need for a smooth assignment (e.g., travel coordination, materials, etc.).
On the day, our team is on site one hour before the start. After the final tech and sound check, we will provide full support for your event. Your dedicated SMILE project manager is available as your primary point of contact and coordinates any ad-hoc adjustments as needed.
After the event, we conduct a structured debrief. We document findings for future projects and actively collect your feedback. This continuous improvement is part of our internal quality assurance and ensures consistently optimized services.
During a complimentary initial consultation, we discuss your needs and collaborate to find the ideal solution.
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information