Conference of Interpreter Trainers

24th Biennial Conference -
Sponsorship Invitation

Albuquerque, New Mexico
November 4 - 7, 2026

Board of Directors

Jenny Gough – President
Vacant – Vice-President
Eillen Forestal – Interim-Secretary
Max Williamson – Treasurer
Carole Lazorisak – Director of Professional Development
Phyllis Dora Rifkin – Director of Communication

The Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) invites your organization, agency, business, or institution to partner with us for our 24th Biennial Conference, as we celebrate over 47 years of elevating interpreter education. Your sponsorship directly advances sign languages and interpreter education while giving your brand meaningful visibility with decision-makers and raising leaders across the field.

About CIT
The Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) promotes standards of excellence in sign language interpreter education. Since its founding, CIT has led the advancement of teaching, mentoring, tutoring, research, and leadership in the field of interpreter education. Our biennial conference is the premier gathering for the field, bringing together national and international experts to collaborate, share research, and elevate best practices.

Why Sponsor CIT 2026 Conference?
● Reach a targeted, engaged audience of interpreter educators, Deaf and hearing professionals, researchers, mentors, and ITP students from across the US and internationally.
● Show your dedication to advancing sign language and interpreting access, and to shaping the future of interpreter education and the profession.
● Connect face-to-face with attendees through exhibits, program features, and networking.
● Elevate your brand across our website, on-site signage, printed program, and social media.

The language of the conference is Signed Language. 

We encourage sponsors’ support and involvement by using signed language.

www.citsl.org | www.citconf.org

Levels of Sponsorship

Level, Contribution & Benefits:

Diamond Sponsor

$25,000+ Premium visibility; premier exhibit space; logo on all conference materials and recognition through your sponsor
logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts; recognition during the keynote; highlighted promotions; a fifteen-minute
presentation before the keynote speaker.

Platinum Sponsor

$15,000 Prominent on‐site signage; logo on conference bags and recognition through your sponsor logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts; recognition at the opening session; exhibit booth; ten-minute presentation before one of the plenary sessions.

Gold Sponsor

$10,000 Logo on website, program, signage, and recognition through your sponsor logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts, exhibit booth, social media promotion, priority exhibit placement: five-minute presentation before one of the plenary sessions.

Silver Sponsor

$5,000 Program and website recognition; signage and recognition through your sponsor logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts, standard exhibit space; social media mention; five-minute presentation before one of the plenary sessions.

Supporter

$1,000+ Name listed on sponsor page (website, program, signage, and recognition through your sponsor logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts.

Individualized Sponsorships:

Provide sponsorship to one or more of the following, and receive recognition through social media, conference, and program announcements and highlights.

Opportunity & Amount
Keynote, Plenary, or Endnote $6,000
Opening Reception $10,000
Conference Interpreters $25,000
LCD Projector Rentals $15,000
Backdrop Rentals $10,000

www.citsl.org | www.citconf.org

Spotlight sponsors receive tailored acknowledgments (e.g., verbal recognition, on‐screen or stage signage, recognition through your sponsor logo printed on CIT Conference T-shirts; program highlights aligned to the sponsored element).

Audience Profile

CIT 2026 Conference attracts a gamut of diverse population and a large network of influencers:
● Interpreter educators, mentors, and program directors
● Deaf, DeafBlind, and hearing professionals
● Researchers and graduate students
● Leaders and administrators from educational institutions
● Attendees from across the United States and internationally

Your sponsorship ensures high visibility among those who shape interpreter education, policy, and practice.

Recognition & Visibility (at a glance)

● Logo/name placement on CIT website and printed/digital program
● On‐site signage, T-shirts, and main‐session acknowledgments (by level)
● Exhibit space and premium placement (by level)
● Social media and email spotlights
● Direct engagement with attendees via receptions, sessions, and the exhibit hall

How to Become a Sponsor
1. Choose your level and any Spotlight Sponsorship(s) that align with your goals.
2. Complete the Sponsorship Commitment Form (page below or scan the QR code if provided).
3. Submit payment by check, credit card, or ACH.
4. Email your logo and promo materials to pd@citsl.org (preferred formats: vector .AI/.EPS or high‐res .PNG).

For custom packages (e.g., in‐kind support, partial sponsorships, or unique activations), contact our Sponsorship Chairs at pd@citsl.org.

Click the Online Sponsorship Commitment Form to submit your sponsorship level:  Click here

Place your funds as a sponsorship: Click here 

Thank you for investing in Sign Languages and Interpreter education.
We look forward to partnering with you at CIT 2026 in Albuquerque!

www.citsl.org | www.citconf.org

 

Tentative Schedule

Endnote Speaker

Sharon Neumann Solow

Interpreter, Trainer, Performer,
Lecturer, Author, Consultant

Sharon Neumann Solow works with great commitment and joy as an interpreter, trainer, performer, lecturer, author and consultant. Her career, spanning over 50 years, has taken her around the United States, and to Canada, South America, Mexico, Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand and Australia. She is the author of two books, Sign Language Interpreting: A Basic Resource Book and Say It with Sign along with numerous professional articles and handbooks and is presently working on an exciting new book.

Her travels and some of her conference work have involved interpreting using international gesture (a gestural, pantomimic form of communication across language barriers). Along with teaching sign language interpreters at all levels, she has been involved in the education of spoken language interpreters and interpreter educators through the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Sharon is honored to be a long standing member of efsli(The European Federation of Sign Language Interpreters). She is an active member of the RID (Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf – US) and CIT (Conference of Interpreter Trainers – US), holding the NAD (National Association of the Deaf – US) SIGN (Sign Language instructor) Comprehensive Permanent Certificate as well as the RID Specialist Certificate: Legal and was certified as a Happiness coach in 2022.

The 2016 recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award from Region V RID, the 2016 RIT/NTID Award of Appreciation as well as the 2010 joint RID – CIT Mary Stotler Award, she was honored with the 2005 Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) President’s Award and the President’s Award for 2005 from the National Association of Black Interpreters (NAOBI). She also received the 1987 national Virginia Hughes Award for outstanding contributions to the field of sign language interpreting. Sharon has lived in California on the Monterey Peninsula since 1984. She and her husband have two wonderful children and 5 delicious granddaughters.

Endnote Speaker

Franklin Jones, Jr.

Lecturer in Deaf Studies

Franklin Jones, Jr., serves as a lecturer in Deaf Studies and is pursuing a doctorate in Language & Literacy Education with a specialization in Deaf Studies at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. In his primary role, he instructs students at various proficiency levels in American Sign Language (ASL). His research interests focus on Black American Sign Language (BASL), delving into its historical origins, linguistic intricacies, cultural significance, and the resilience of Black Deaf males in higher education.

 Prior to joining Boston University, Professor Jones gained valuable experience as a lecturer at Gallaudet University. This esteemed position was attained through a highly competitive selection process. At Gallaudet University, he successfully taught ASL to a diverse range of students, including Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals. This experience significantly enhanced his teaching skills and deepened his understanding of ASL communication dynamics.

Professor Jones is recognized as a distinguished speaker on educational, linguistic, and cultural equity within Deaf communities. His expertise extends to various areas, including the Black Deaf experience, ASL, BASL, deaf culture, linguistics, and pedagogy. Additionally, he has delivered impactful presentations, contributing to the broader discourse on Deaf studies and linguistic diversity.

CIT TALK Speakers

Gloshanda Lawyer &
Kenton Myers

Black multilingual researcher/interpreter

Myers & Lawyer is a Black multilingual researcher/interpreter duo composed of Kenton Myers and Gloshanda Lawyer. Kenton Myers is a trilingual (ASL, Spanish, English) interpreter who is known for his leadership in the advancement of the interpretation and translation field. He serves as president of the Interpreters and Translators Association of Alabama (ITAA). He has co-authored a 40-hour English/Spanish language healthcare interpreter training program to prepare individuals for national certification. Gloshanda Lawyer, PhD is a trilingual (ASL, Spanish, English) interpreter and independent researcher. She advocates for multilingualism for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing populations. She has been a K-12 Deaf educator, early interventionist, and assistant professor of Deaf Education, Deaf Studies, and Interpreter Education. For the past year, Myers & Lawyer has been engaging in community-based research, creating resources and training materials, and publishing multilingual open access content for BIPOC interpreters and the organizations that contract for interpreting services. They focus on issues of power and justice in language access spaces.

Registration flyer with images of presenters and costs
Registration Costs

Registration Options

We are  now in the regular registration rate for our upcoming 2024 CIT Conference is officially open!  Come and join us in celebrating the milestone achievement of entering the Sapphire era of our organization!  We are looking forward to your presence and the valuable contribution unions you will bring to this memorable gathering.

CIT Member Retired Registration 

CIT Member Registration

Graduate Student Registration

Non-member Registration