A conference interpreting budget depends on the programme, languages, team and technical setup. Attendance affects listening equipment, but does not determine the entire price. Compare the full scope of proposals rather than an hourly or per-person figure.
What should the quotation include?
- Interpreters: language combinations, directions, specialisation, working hours and team size.
- Preparation: presentations, terminology, briefing and coordination.
- Equipment: booths, consoles, receivers, headsets, microphones and sound-system connections.
- Technical support: delivery, installation, testing, on-site assistance and dismantling.
- Travel: transport, accommodation and necessary expenses.
- Additional services: recording, streaming and remote participation, agreed in advance.
A short meeting still requires preparation and mobilisation. Ask which hours are covered, how overruns are charged and which expenses are separate.
Three example configurations
| Event | Items to cost |
|---|---|
| 20 people, bilingual consecutive meeting | Interpreter or team appropriate to the programme, preparation, travel and amplification if needed. Allow time for interpretation. |
| 50 people, conference with one interpreted language | Simultaneous team appropriate to the hours, booth or validated alternative, receivers for the relevant listeners and a technician. |
| 100 people, several languages or rooms | Language teams and channels, receivers by room, technical coordination and any remote connections. |
These are planning examples, not fixed packages. Only 30 of 100 attendees might need a headset; parallel rooms can require separate installations even with a small audience.
How the format affects the budget
Simultaneous interpreting keeps the programme moving while requiring suitable audio. Consecutive interpreting alternates speaking and interpretation, extending the agenda. Use our simultaneous versus consecutive guide before choosing. Remote interpreting can reduce travel, but platform setup, rehearsals and support still have a cost.
A real assignment: CTM at Cineum Cannes
The English–Chinese assignment for CTM involved two interpreters, a booth, 60 wireless receivers and technical support. This illustrates the components of a service; no price for that assignment is published here.
Information needed for a reliable quotation
Send dates and hours, exact venue, spoken and listening languages, programme, rooms and listeners per language. Specify existing equipment, remote participants and recording needs. Request an itemised quotation separating interpreting, equipment, technical services and expenses.
