Based on a model of bilingual interpreter-mediated communication, this article looks at interpreting conditions, intercultural interaction and possible interpreter roles in various conditions, comprising conference as well as non-conference settings. It aims at identifying the need for professional interpreting in all these settings, even though in some of them non-professional interpreting is still the rule. This means that interpreter training must generally cover the whole range of interpreting setting and offer specialisations in individual types of interpreting. Professional interpreters should consider themselves as members of one single field of work no matter which type of interpreting they practice.