SYRACUSE, NY, September 24, 2007 — ProZ.com, the world’s leading translator community and web 2.0 platform for the exchange of translation services and resources, announced today that more than 1,000 translators, interpreters and industry professionals have signed up to meet in a globally distributed event featuring 73 ProZ.com “powwows” in over 30 countries.  The face-to-face meetings will be held in the days leading up to International Translation Day on September 30.  In a demonstration of camaraderie among translators worldwide, plans have been made for a “chain” of contact to be made, with greetings exchanged from powwow to powwow.

Using the web to arrange face-to-face meetings among translators
ProZ.com powwows are free, real-world networking events held among translators living in a given area. The events are organized by and for local professionals, using ProZ.com as a platform, and are held on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The powwows scheduled to coincide with International Translation Day will be held in at least 73 cities, including Amman, Bangkok, Belgrade, Dallas, Düsseldorf, London, Milan, Moscow and Paris. For a complete list of powwows scheduled (check out the location map!), and to register, visit: http://www.proz.com/powwows

“It's amazing how ProZ.com can enable so many people to get together in so many places all over the world,” commented Arianna Tremayne, professional translator and ProZ.com member since 2004.  “I have met really nice people at past powwows and have benefited professionally and personally.  At the last couple of powwows, the group got on so well that we decided to meet regularly to collaborate. I can't wait for the powwows on International Translation Day!"

“The powwow phenomenon is a reflection of the enthusiasm and commitment that our members have for their work and for their colleagues,” said Henry Dotterer, founder and president at ProZ.com. “I am proud to be associated with this community of professionals, collaborating across borders, sharing a love for words.”

Companies supporting the community
The platform used by members to set up the powwows on International Translation Day was made possible in part by the following companies and organizations: WhiteSmoke (USA), Yamagata Europe QA Distiller (Belgium), Institute of Translation & Interpreting (UK), Lexicool.com (France), WordFinder Software International AB (Sweden), Babylon GmbH (Germany) and SDL TRADOS Technologies (UK).  All organizational work is done by local ProZ.com volunteers.

About the ProZ.com Powwow
The powwow is a Native American meeting and dance tradition, viewed by some as a unifying force, since it is a common cultural element across otherwise diverse tribes. In American English, the word “powwow” has taken on the general meaning of a social meeting where tasks get accomplished.  ProZ.com powwows are free, informal social and working meetings among translators living in various areas, who may work into and out of different languages.

History of International Translation Day
St. Jerome (347-420), the patron saint of translators, librarians and encyclopaedists, was the translator of the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin.  Drawing upon this history, the International Federation of Translators began in the 1950's to encourage recognition of St. Jerome's Day on September 30 as “International Translation Day.” This day of recognition has since been observed in various areas, not necessarily with any connection to St. Jerome or Christianity.

About ProZ.com
With more than 200,000 registered translators and interpreters working in over 300 languages, ProZ.com is by far the world’s leading community and workplace for language professionals. Today, more than 11,000 outsourcers, including leading organizations such as Bloomberg, IBM, Honda, eBay, SDL International and The World Bank use ProZ.com to quickly and easily connect with the language professionals they need. For language professionals, ProZ.com’s unique online workplace provides a host of valuable member resources – enabling members to more quickly and efficiently perform their demanding work. For more information, please visit:
 Outsourcers: http://www.proz.com/connect
 Translators and interpreters: http://www.proz.com/join