Dave Ruane’s Recap from GALA 2025 in Montreal

GALA 2025 brought together professionals from across the globe to explore the evolving landscape of language services, with a strong focus on the transformative impact of AI, automation, and strategic innovation.  Our Director of Client Solutions, Dave Ruane, was there and shared with us some insights. 

Key Insights from the Conference

One of the dominant themes was the shift from a traditional service mindset toward strategic value creation. This evolution underscores the growing need for agility and continuous reinvention in response to technological change.

Artificial Intelligence and automation were at the forefront of nearly every conversation, as you might expect. The conference moved beyond the hype to focus on practical applications. One great way to describe an underlying narrative at the event was:

 “AI won’t replace us, but people using AI will.”

Another message which was clear was that early adoption and smart integration of AI tools are absolutely key for companies right now. Discussions also spotlighted emerging pricing models like hourly and subscription-based options, enabled by AI-driven efficiencies. It was coming across clear that these models were a path forward, which you can expect to see more of. 

Another noticeable change was the maturation of Language Operations (LangOps) into more of a core business strategy. The idea of embedding language earlier in the value chain was evergreen conversations, as was the importance of specialised, context-aware solutions over generic automation. M&A activity is increasing, both with the availability of good value acquisitions and more buyers intent on acquiring to grow. While this indicates the seeds of a more dynamic market, valuation realism and seller preparedness are still essentials as the market is quite distinct from 1-2 years ago.

Dave Ruane Shares His GALA 2025 Experience

We sat down with Dave to hear his personal takeaways from the event. Here’s what we asked:

Q. What were the most impactful sessions or discussions for you at GALA 2025?

Dave’s response:

“Daniel Lamarre’s keynote (Cirque du Soleil) was memorable for its focus on creativity with intent, reinforcing the idea that innovation under pressure can become a superpower. It reminded me that necessity can still be the mother of invention, no matter what, but not losing creativity means you come up with good solutions rather than OK ones. There were plenty of good sessions that pushed people to embrace new business models and get on with AI. We are in a Just do it phase of the AI impact. For me the networking and one-to-one hallway conversations, impromptu discussions, were still where all the little nuggets could be picked up. It was good to see the Soapbox format go from strength to strength, and I was glad to be involved in kicking off the first GALA Innovates platform at the conference, a new platform for quick innovation pitches, helping spotlight emerging voices and ideas.”

Q. How do you see the insights from GALA influencing the future strategies of the language industry?

Dave’s response:

“Strategic value creation is replacing the traditional “service provider” mindset, vendors must evolve into solution partners who help clients unlock business value. AI and automation are now being approached with tactical clarity, companies are shifting from theory to practice, and those lagging risk falling behind. New business models (hourly, subscription, productized) enabled by AI challenge the dominance of per-word pricing. I think LangOps will continue as a strategic discipline that is gaining traction and interest. On the M&A side, I expect we will see an uptick in activity in the next few months. Overall, there is an understanding among companies that creative action without the perfect plan is a must. Start deploying next solutions, services, tech and learn by doing, and iterate quickly. As an industry, we are very much in a live transition phase, and those who act with purpose, embrace change, and stay strategically creative will be most relevant during the next chapter.”

Q. What key takeaway from GALA 2025 do you intend to apply in Lion People Global’s daily operations, and how do you envision its integration enhancing our services?

Dave’s response:

“One key takeaway we’re bringing back to Lion People Global is the shift from translation services to strategic value creation, which was echoed across conversations at GALA 2025. This insight aligns closely with how we already think about our role in the industry, but it reinforced the urgency to double down on guiding clients and partners through strategic reinvention, especially in the face of rapid change and AI-driven disruption.

We already help clients redefine their value, which can include how they structure their operations, build teams, and design for scale and growth. More and more, it is how they have a growth strategy which is more future-proofed with service offerings that will maintain and grow their customer base, and an inorganic growth strategy which makes sense for them.
We see fractional roles and customised consulting engagements being a key part of this, as what was done before won’t necessarily cut it now.  

We are on a journey to enhance our ability to act not just as a recruitment, M&A and consultancy firm, but as a trusted growth partner, helping companies in the language industry evolve faster, make smarter M&A decisions, and stay ahead of change. GALA 2025 just told us that this is needed now more than ever.”

For a closer look at the energy and ideas flowing through the event, watch The Craic Report live from Montreal, hosted by Paul Barlow and Dave Ruane:

Conclusion

GALA 2025 made it clear that the language services industry is stepping into a new era – one defined by agility, innovation, and strategic relevance. The conversations in Montreal reflected a shared recognition: it’s no longer about keeping up with change, but about leading it. From AI integration to reimagined business models and bold M&A strategies, the momentum is building. For Lion People Global, this isn’t just validation of our current direction – it’s a strong signal to keep pushing boundaries, helping our clients rethink, reshape, and realize what’s next.