Learn, Collaborate, Connect

It’s the Loc Institute Way.

The Localization Institute was founded on the premise that, while each company is unique, many of the challenges we face entering international markets are shared. And, instead of facing the challenge alone, we can learn more by sharing.

That realization led to the very first roundtable discussion series in 1997. The positive response eventually spawned a full selection of master classes and certification programs. We even co-founded LocWorld, the world’s premier Localization conference to give our industry the best gathering opportunities to exchange ideas.

Our courses and round table discussions are not sponsored so we have complete freedom to share unbiased truths and have the frank discussions you need to hone your expertise. This truth is the reason so many companies put their faith in our educational opportunities.

We invite you to connect with us, learn from our team of experts and share your journey – there’s no reason to go it alone.

Industry Praise

Michele Kassis Carlson

Localization, Survey Monkey

I’ve sent many team members to the programs at the Localization Institute over the years. It’s a valuable learning experience and provides a deeper knowledge of localization program management taught by the top industry experts.

Renato Beninatto

CEO, Nimdzi Insights

There is training and there is professional development. The Localization Institute helps individuals acquire skills that are useful for advancing their careers. You become part of a community of peers that will grow with you over the years either in the same or in different companies. A Masterclass is an investment in you and your future.

Anita Daley

Principal Program Manager, SAS Institute

When I was looking for someone to help me along in my Globalization career, it was Mimi I turned to. How fitting that she is now teaching a Master Class on managing localization teams. There is no better choice for an instructor! Mimi is a well-regarded authority in this field, who clearly understands the strategic role that Globalization plays in an organization. Her passion for global business, coupled with years of experience making localization and internationalization teams successful are what make her guidance invaluable.

Eduardo D’Antonio

Director, Globalization Operations, VMware

The Localization Institute has been VMware’s partner in providing localization project management development programs to our employees and has exceeded all expectations. The professionalism and quality of the facilitator, training content and support is second to none. Feedback from all sources has been very positive. Willem and the Localization Institute team has my complete confidence and I would recommend them to anyone.

Nejra Omanovic

Lead Localization Developer / Project Manager, Opentext

I would recommend this class to anybody who is looking for a comprehensive course on Global Language Strategy. There is a lot of material to cover, but Melissa’s facilitation skills are very helpful, as she was highlighting the most important elements on how to go about creating and implementing a global language strategy. The course was quite comprehensive and Melissa is very knowledgeable.

William Barnes

Director, Global Localization, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

As localization or globalization becomes a vital and undeniable task for any company looking to move outside a mere domestic market, the LPM certification is an excellent short course for those just getting into the field or those who have been doing it for several or more years. While I myself tend to think about localization from a videogame angle, the course brought professionals from other industries together, broke down real challenge or work at hand, and showed all attendees clever and valuable techniques to quantify and qualify a variety of different jobs.

Who We Are

Ulrich Henes

President

Already in his early years, Ulrich was fascinated by language, cultural differences, and global business. He spent the first decade of his career organizing international campaigns against the arms race and apartheid; and promoting global social justice.

For the past 25 years Ulrich has channeled his passion for all things global into promoting awareness and respect for differences among people, countries, and languages in the international business community.

To partner with The Localization Institute:

Contact Ulrich

Jill Nellis

Financial Manager

I joined The Localization Institute in 2007, after being a stay-at-home mom for ten years. Apart from finances, I am the Coordinator for the Project Manager’s Round Table held annually in Berkeley, CA. I am thrilled to have found the perfect position that utilizes my financial management skills as well as allows me to travel the world as a staff member of LocWorld. Personally, I have earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have raised 2 wonderful young men and am comfortably settled into the empty nest phase of life. I enjoy reading historical fiction, investing, volunteering, technology, exploring new cities and spending time with my family.

For all Financial and Accounts inquires:

Contact Jill

Kris Wiegand

Seminar Program Manager Curriculum Dev. Certification

I have been with The Localization Institute since 2010, managing the Institute’s seminar program. Since then, I added the roles of program development for the LocWorld conferences, and managing the project management and localization management master class programs for Localization Institute.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I taught middle school science for many years throughout the US. After taking time off to raise my children, I am glad to be back to work! Off hours, I love to hang out with my family, hike, kayak, read and volunteer.

For all Seminar, Round Table and Certification inquires:

Contact Kris

Alex Bernet

Master Class Programs Manager

I joined The Localization Institute in 2012 as the Conference Manager for Brand2Global Conference, an event designed for global marketers. Currently, I serve as the Manager of Master Class Programs and I am also the co-producer of LocWorld’s Process Innovation Challenge, an incubator for new talent and revolutionary ideas in the localization industry.

I graduated with a BA in History from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 and moved to Denver, Colorado in 2016 to pursue my love of hiking, backpacking, cycling and adventuring.

For all Master Class Program or Process Innovation Challenge inquires:

Contact Alex

Oksana Torvik

Events Manager, LocWorld

Originally from Russia, I graduated as a speech therapist from The University of Moscow and received a second degree in Business Psychology in 2000. Since then, my career has been centered around corporate education, organizing events and international incentive programs.

I have been with The Localization Institute since 2016, working as a conference manager for LocWorld. More recently, the roles of social media and marketing coordination were added – for Localization Institute & the LocWorld conferences.

For all LocWorld Conference inquires:

Contact Oksana

Sarah Deming-Henes

Exhibit Manager, LocWorld

I’ve proudly been with The Localization Institute since the beginning to some degree, as I’m Ulrich’s daughter. Over the years I’ve helped staff Localization Institute and LocWorld events, and then in 2017 I was delighted to step up into a more active role as the Exhibit Manager for LocWorld.

Since 2006, in and around working for The Localization Institute, I’ve made my living as an Actors’ Equity Association Stage Manager for professional theater productions at many of Wisconsin’s largest theaters.

In both areas of my employment I love helping people connect and get their message across!

For all LocWorld Exhibitor inquires:

Contact Sarah

For general inquires

Founded in 1996

The event that launched The Localization Institute was a two-day Localization Management Round Table for client companies held in the spring of 1997 near Monterey, California. In quick succession, the Institute added training seminars on various aspects of localization.

More round tables came next and continue to this day.

Founded in 1996

More round tables came next and continue to this day.

The First LocWorld

Due to the popularity of Localization Institute events, industry leaders approached Ulrich with the request to organize an industry-wide conference. Ulrich reached out to Donna Parrish at Multilingual Computing to combine forces to create a new global conference. LocWorld was born!

The first conference was held in the fall of 2003 in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Today

Entering it’s 26th year, with the advent of COVID19, The Localization Institute successfully pivoted from an on-site to a digital model and held all trainings, certifications and events virtually. Not only that, we rose to the challenge and launched a series of 5 high-level master classes, which have been well received.

With the advent of safe in-person gatherings, in 2022 the Localization Institute has begun to host in-person events, in addition to our expanded virtual offerings, and LocWorld still continues to be the industry event to attend and is offered two to three times per year.

Today

Entering it’s 26th year, with the advent of COVID19, The Localization Institute successfully pivoted from an on-site to a digital model and is currently holding all trainings, certifications and events virtually. Not only that, we rose to the challenge and launched a series of 5 high-level master classes, which have been well received.

LocWorld continues to be the industry event to attend.

As LocWorldWide, we gather virtually for now, two to three times per year.