[An Interview With Michael Fritz] tcworld Conference and tekom Trade Fair: The World’s Largest Technical Communication Event

October 8, 2011 Blog 1 Comment

Instruction for replacing a hard drive in a MacBook Pro 15" laptop. Source: iFixit.com

Consumers of products and services encounter technical information all the time. This information, often referred to as technical communication, is often (but not always) created by professional writers, illustrators, interaction designers, information architects and others whose job it is to help consumers accomplish goals. The work of technical communicators is diverse and involves an understanding of many disciplines.

Technical communicators must understand language and linguistics, instructional design, color theory, information architecture, usability, accessibility, findability, human computer interaction, and myriad other areas of study. They perform an increasing array of tasks, including such things as: writing simple instructions for completing a form (PDF), making step-by-step computer software simulations, converting complex datasets into informative infographics, organizing repair manuals (and user-generated content) into a searchable “do-it-yourself” knowwledgebase, managing a socially-enabled support community, or designing interactive, multimedia-rich eLearning classes.

To keep pace with the fast-changing communication landscape, technical communicators must constantly update their skillets. But, there’s so much to learn that it’s nearly impossible to stay on top of everything that can impact their work. That’s why thousands of techcommers congregate annually at conferences and trade shows like the tcworld conference and tekom Trade Fair each year.

In this exclusive interview with Michael Fritz, Executive Director of tekom, we discuss the world’s largest technical communication event and what attendees can expect to learn this year. The entire conference program is available at the end of this interview.

TCW: Thanks for taking time to chat with us today, Michael. For those readers who don’t know of you, tell us who you are and what you do.

Michael Fritz, Executive Director, tekom

MF Thanks, Scott! My name is Michael Fritz. Fifteen years ago I took on the role of Managing Director of Gesellschaft für Technische Kommunikation e.V. – tekom. Since 2001 I have also acted as Managing Director of tcworld GmbH, a company providing services for tekom. Before that, I worked for several associations, including a stint as head of an institute for lifelong learning.

TCW: What is tekom?

MF: tekom is Europe’s largest association for technical communication and information management. We offer a platform for the exchange of information and experience. Furthermore we encourage the education and training of our members and we promote a professional approach towards technical communication. tekom is actively committed to increasing the standing and positioning of technical communication on both corporate and public levels.

TCW: Why did you start it?

MF Actually, I didn’t start tekom. Our association was officially established in Stuttgart in 1978 and has retained its main office there. Situated at the heart of Europe, Germany is one of the largest and most significant consumer markets in the European Union. Stuttgart is Europe’s leading high-tech region and Germany’s strongest commercial metropolitan area. It is home to many well-known companies such as Daimler, Porsche, IBM, automotive suppliers Behr and Bosch and Dürr, an engineering group. So it’s no surprise that it was a Stuttgart citizen who took the decision to establish a professional association for technical communication. In the mid-seventies Mrs. Brigitte Beuttenmüller, the eventual founder of tekom, began to develop this area of expertise which up to that date was completely unknown in Germany. She cooperated with a circle of colleagues from different industries and together they founded tekom.

TCW: What is tcworld?

tcworld magazine - www.tcworld.info

MF: tcworld GmbH is a company providing services for tekom. For five years now, the tcworld conference, which runs parallel with the annual tekom conference, is attracting international delegates. In 2010 all in all more than 3,500 conference attendees and fair visitors came to Wiesbaden. And even the conference itself is expanding: In March 2011, the first tcworld India took place in Bangalore. It was a two-day conference and fair and attracted 300 attendees. It is continued on a yearly base. Additionally, in October 2011 the first tcworld Japan will happen in Kyoto.
Moreover, the tcworld online magazine covers an international audience. Since 2011 a printed version with four issues per year is published as well. It features news and articles on all aspects of international information management. The online portal is updated on a monthly basis.

TCW: Who attends each of these events?

MF: The tekom conferences enable direct exchange among technical communication professionals and offer great exchange of knowledge and expertise with a number of workshops and lectures. The Wiesbaden conference is attended by employees from industrial, software and service companies with their focus on Germany, Austria and Switzerland. An ever growing number of visitors from other European countries (and from overseas) adds to the flair of this event. Additionally, the conference is enriched by a large number of students from different countries who can get in touch with their future professional field. For the last five years, the tcworld conference, which runs parallel with tekom Trade Fair, has been attracting an increasing number of international delegates. In 2010, more than 3,300 attended.

Regarding tcworld India, the conference participants are mostly technical writers and decision-makers working in India. Their focus is on international technical documentation. Current topics like translation management, localization, terminology, content management, standardization and international legal requirements are much in demand.

Attendees at tcworld Japan in Kyoto are primarily technical writers working in businesses across Japan. Almost all well-known Japanese manufacturers of home appliances, consumer electronics, optical systems, medical equipment, office equipment, machinery and vehicles are represented. It should be noted that the most important topic at this event is the development of technical communication for international markets.

TCW: The tekom / tcworld event is known as the world’s largest technical communication event. The trade fair is exceptional. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an event as big in our industry. The list of exhibitors is huge! Can you tell us a little about the fair?

MF: Trade fairs have always been part of our conferences. Over 100 hundred exhibitors will be on-hand to present their new products and services. We offer lots of networking opportunities designed to help exhibitors, visitors to the fair and conference attendees connect in meaningful ways. The fair includes software tool presentations, industry lectures and technology panels. Entry to these events is free. Furthermore, since 2009 tcworld Wiesbaden has also brought together trade associations from all over the world, providing attendees another way to connect with people and information of interest to them.

Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler

TCW: You’ve invited me to be a keynote presenter this year. I’m very excited about that. My presentation, “The Future of Technical Communication Is Socially Enabled: understanding the Help 2.0 Revolution” is something I’m very passionate about. I’ve got some great examples of work being done by technical communicators in new and exciting ways. I’m also moderating an entire day dedicated to content strategy. That’s a hot topic and I’ve invited some of the world’s best — and more experienced — practitioners to help demystify content strategy and help attendees take a more strategic view of their work. What other topics are you featuring this year? And, can you tell us about a few of the featured presenters you’ve invited?

MF:As in the years before, we are featuring International Management (IM), Technical Authoring (TA), Terminology and Language Technology (TERM), User Assistance (UA) as well as in cooperation with GALA (Globalization & Localization Association), the Localization track (LOC). Highly-renowned speakers such as Dr. Donald De Palma, Sarah O‘Keefe, Dr. Arle Lommel and Scott Prentice from the US, Dmitry Molodyk from Russia and Jang Graat from the Netherlands will present the latest developments in technical communication.

TCW: For someone who has never been to a conference in Europe, can you help us understand what to expect? For instance, tell us a little about the area where the conference is being held, it’s proximity to the airports, and any other information first time visitors to Wiesbaden might find useful?

Biebrich Palace, Wiesbaden, Germany

MF: Wiesbaden is a lively and vibrant city with a high quality of life. In addition to the favorable location in the economically strong Rhine-Main area, parks, cafés and bistros offer plenty opportunities for recreation. The highlights among the park areas are Biebrich Palace, the Kurpark (spa gardens) and the city park. After the conference, our evening program provides entertainment, sightseeing and networking opportunities. We have arranged for some interesting events in selected places where you can socialize, chat, learn more about Wiesbaden and taste some exquisite specialties.

The conference venue is the Rhein-Main-Hallen in Wiesbaden, which are the fair and convention center of the Hessian state capital. They are located in the city center (seven minutes by foot from the Wiesbaden train station). The international airport at Rhein-Main near Frankfurt/Main can be reached by taxi/car from Wiesbaden in about 30 minutes and 40 minutes by S-Bahn. The S-Bahn terminal is situated within the airport complex.

TCW: I’m providing my session in my native language (English) as are the other presenters in the content strategy track. Is there an official language at the conference? Will any presentations be delivered in languages other than English?

MF: The official language at the tekom-conference is German, tcworld’s language is English. So, about 30% of all the activities are in English.

TCW: How does one sign up for the conference and what does it cost to attend?

MF: You can find everything you need (pricing, schedule, registration) on the event website. You can send us your registration by fax or by email to anmeldung@tekom.de

TCW: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about tekom / tcworld?

MF: tekom/tcworld is not only a conference, it’s also fun!

TCW: Well, we’re out of time. Thanks for stopping by and telling us about your upcoming event. I’m excited to attend and hope many of my readers will join me in Wiesbaden this October.

MF: Thank you, Scott! I look forward to meeting you all soon in Wiesbaden.

tcworld conference and tekom trade show program