NCTA New Year’s Brunch in San Francisco

by Sarah Schneider

On January 24^th 2026, members and friends of NCTA gathered at Delancey Street Café in San Francisco from 11:30 to 1:30 for a New Year’s Brunch that was as convivial as it was energizing. About 15 people attended, seated at two nearby tables, and the event struck a perfect balance between relaxed socializing and meaningful conversation.

The brunch began with plenty of mingling before anyone sat down to eat. Attendees greeted old friends with hugs and smiles, while first-time connections were made just as easily. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and it was especially heartening to see how seamlessly newer members blended in with NCTA veterans. In fact, some participants had traveled from as far as Los Angeles to attend, underscoring both the appeal of the event and the strength of our community. I had the pleasure of meeting several new members from the LA area, while also catching up with colleagues who have been part of the association for many years.

As conversations unfolded, one topic surfaced repeatedly: the upcoming expansion of NCTA into a statewide organization. There was palpable excitement around what this next step will mean, particularly in terms of increased opportunities for connection, collaboration, and representation across California. These discussions felt especially timely given the diverse mix of attendees, including those who already live and work outside the Bay Area. The brunch provided an ideal setting to openly discuss these changes, exchange perspectives, and share enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

Once everyone settled in, our president briefly addressed those attending, outlining what members can look forward to in 2026. She highlighted several exciting developments, most notably the fact that San Francisco will be the host city for the next ATA conference this October, as well as the upcoming CHIA conference in March. Her remarks conveyed genuine enthusiasm and helped reinforce the sense that NCTA is entering a particularly dynamic and promising period. Then our meals arrived, while the socializing continued uninterrupted. Good food and good conversation proved to be a winning combination, with people chatting easily while enjoying their brunch.

The conversation ranged widely at our table, reflecting both our shared profession and our lives beyond it. We discussed translation and interpreting, of course, but also swapped travel tips for exploring California, discussed family plans, and shared stories about kids and everyday life. This easy interplay between professional and personal topics is one of the things that makes gatherings like this so special; they remind us that our association is built not just on shared work, but on real human connections.

Meanwhile, lively discussion was clearly taking place at the other table as well, which included interpreters and translators who work between English and languages including French, Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi. As many of them had just met, it was a good opportunity to get to know each other, learn about their work, and some of their other interests. One interpreter at the table discussed having frequently worked in diplomatic situations, sharing her collection of photographs with the many heads of state from India, Canada and the U.S. that she has interpreted for, along with several interesting stories accompanying the photos.

Time seemed to pass remarkably quickly, and more than one person expressed surprise when 1:30 arrived and it was time to wrap up. The delightful success of the brunch was evident in how reluctant everyone was to leave. For some, the gathering didn’t end there: a group of attendees took advantage of the beautiful sunny day and went for a leisurely stroll along the Embarcadero afterward, extending the sense of camaraderie just a bit longer.

All in all, the New Year’s Brunch at Delancey Street Café was a wonderful way to start the year relaxed, engaged, and full of positive energy. It offered a chance to reconnect, welcome new members, and look ahead with excitement to what 2026 has in store for NCTA.

Sarah Schneider is an ATA-certified Italian to English translator who lived near Bologna, Italy for over 15 years before moving back to the Bay Area in California in 2017. She specializes in the translation of patents and sustainability reporting, as well as tourism, marketing, and food & wine related documents. She is currently Administrator of the ATA’s Italian Language Division and Secretary on the board of CAPIT.