Although specific topics will vary, the goals for each of these sessions are summarized as follows:

• To examine the current state of the localization market to determine what are the views, wishes and aspirations of the supply and demand sides of the business, both conceptually and practically.
• To evaluate both sides and determine their capacity (in every sense of the word) to fit these expectations -- now and in the future.
• To attempt to define a vision of where the clients and service providers would like to see their relationship in the future and, most importantly, to assess what action plan would be needed for both parties to achieve this vision.

The outcome of the first two LISA Executive Round Tables, held in Geneva and Tokyo, has dictated the development of future Round Table formats. Upcoming sessions will have very focused agendas in order to maximize the results of the group discussion. Participants will be asked to take a more active role in establishing key topics. Better preparation will be required of Round Table facilitators.

In many respects, LISA is simply revisiting its original mandate. In 1990 a group of senior localization managers representing the supply and demand sides of this emerging business, regularly met and focused on how they could cooperate to increase the professionalism of the industry. The INK Round Table became the Localisation Industry Standards Association, which, from a base of 18 founding companies, has reached a membership of over 140 organizations.

In order to enable each LISA General Assembly member company to participate in future Round Table sessions, the following guidelines and procedures have been adopted:

1. Participation is limited to GA senior management representatives who have the ability to go away from the meeting and impact the way their companies do business. This may mean that it is not necessarily the LISA General Assembly representative who can be invited to attend the Executive Round Tables.
2. Each LISA member company may attend no more than two Executive Round Tables per year. Round Tables will be held in conjunction with quarterly LISA forums as appropriate.
3. An equal number of Publishers and Vendors will be represented at each session. The number of active participants should not exceed 16 invitees to facilitate active discussion.
4. A maximum of two LISA Executive Committee members may participate in any one Round Table. ExCom members have the privilege of attending any Round Table of their choice as observers.
5. Invitations will be extended to representatives meeting the above criteria and will vary by event and forum location. Substitutions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
6. The minutes and the results of these sessions will be treated as confidential unless otherwise decided by participants.
7. It is desirable to have some participants attend consecutive sessions to maintain continuity on some issues.
8. Reports on each session will be distributed to previous and current participants as recommended.
9. Whenever possible, sessions facilitators will be chosen who can bring their own specific skills and experience to focus on the issues being tabled.
10. The objective of the Round Tables is to provide industry leaders with the opportunity to address the key issues pertinent to the localization industry’s growth and development, both long and short term.
11. The names of companies who have attended the LISA Round Table may be periodically published in the Newsletter as follows:

Vendors:

Publishers